Job Description

A well-established, privately owned group operating across the agricultural and logistics value chain is seeking an experienced Company Secretary & Legal Manager to lead corporate governance and provide in-house legal support across multiple entities.
This is a senior role responsible for ensuring best-practice governance, statutory compliance, and sound legal risk management while supporting Boards, Committees, and executive leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Company Secretarial & Corporate Governance
Act as the designated Company Secretary for multiple entities within the Group.
Support the Boards of Directors and Board Committees by advising on governance best practice and statutory compliance.
Prepare, coordinate, and distribute Board and Committee agendas, packs, and minutes within required deadlines.
Ensure accurate recording, approval, and circulation of minutes, resolutions, and action items.
Facilitate Board, Committee, and governance-related meetings with Directors and senior management.
Ensure compliance with the Companies Act, Memoranda of Incorporation, governance policies, charters, and approval frameworks.
Develop, review, and maintain governance policies, Board charters, and Delegations of Authority frameworks.
Maintain statutory records, registers, entity records, and Group structure documentation.
Manage statutory filings and submissions, including annual returns and lodgements with CIPC.
Draft AGM documentation, Board, Shareholder, and Trust resolutions.
Liaise with external auditors, service providers, and internal finance teams on governance-related matters.
Deliver corporate governance initiatives and improvements on an ongoing basis.
Legal Management
Provide general in-house legal advice to Boards, Committees, executive leadership, and senior management.
Liaise with external legal advisors on specialised legal matters.
Draft, review, and update legal documentation including contracts, terms and conditions, and agreements.
Identify, assess, and manage legal risks across contracts, operations, and claims.
Monitor legal developments that may impact the organisation and advise relevant stakeholders accordingly.
Maintain legal filing, documentation, and retrieval systems.
Manage and coordinate amendments to Trust Deeds and submissions to the Master of the High Court.
Oversee B-BBEE compliance, audits, and verification processes across Group entities.
Monitor and support the implementation of B-BBEE initiatives relating to ownership and management control.
Requirements
Strong working knowledge of the Companies Act and corporate governance best practice.
Proven ability to operate at Board and executive level.
High levels of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
Excellent planning, organisational, and time management skills.
Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement ability.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
Clear, confident written and verbal communication skills.
Experience and Qualifications
BA LLB or BCom Law degree.
Minimum of 5 years' experience in a Company Secretary and/or in-house legal role.
Experience supporting Boards, Committees, and executive leadership within complex group structures.
Exposure to B-BBEE compliance and governance within South African organisations will be advantageous.

Skills Required