Job Description

Empowering Africa's tomorrow, together...one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
Job Summary CIB Legal is currently looking for a senior legal counsel to provide strategic legal advisory and transactional support to the Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) division, more specifically the Commercial Property Finance team, ensuring legal risk is proactively managed while enabling the execution of complex domestic and cross-border property financial transactions.
The incumbent advises on legal, regulatory, conveyancing and property specific matters that support business sustainability, cross-jurisdictional compliance, and growth across pan-African markets.
The role applies expert judgment to shape legal frameworks, guide risk-based decision-making, and influence internal policy adaptation in a dynamic regulatory environment.

Key Accountabilities
Legal Advisory and Transactional Support

• Provide end-to-end legal counsel on Commercial Property Finance products and transactions, including development finance, term loans to property owning entities, both bilateral and syndicated lending.
• Structure, negotiate, and review a wide range of agreements such as loan agreements, term sheets, security documents, supply agreements, development agreements, shareholder agreements, MOIs, understanding the interaction of hedging agreements to underlying loan documentation, and bespoke transaction documentation.
• Translate legal and regulatory implications into actionable business insights and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as a legal risk filter for product innovation, deal reviews, and transaction approvals.

Regulatory and Compliance Advisory

• Monitor, interpret, and advise on legal and regulatory frameworks including the Banks Act, Financial Markets Act, Companies Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act ("FICA"), Protection of Personal Information Act ("POPIA"), Financial Sector Conduct Authority ("FSCA") and South African Reserve Bank ("SARB") directives.
• Influence and shape internal compliance frameworks in response to legislative changes and evolving market conduct requirements.
• Support regulatory audits, inspections, and engagements, working closely with Compliance, Risk, and Governance functions.
• Lead or contribute to legal input on cross-border regulatory matters and multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Risk Management and Governance

• Identify and mitigate legal risks related to transactional, operational, or strategic activities.
• Participate in CIB risk and governance forums, providing legal guidance to inform risk appetite, control frameworks, and decision-making processes.
• Anticipate emerging legal risks and support pre-emptive mitigation strategies aligned with the bank's enterprise risk management framework.

Contract Management and Legal Documentation

• Draft, review, and manage transaction and framework documentation to ensure legal robustness, commercial alignment, and enforceability.
• Maintain and standardise legal templates, policies, and procedures across the CIB portfolio.
• Support training for business, operations, and legal teams on contract principles, legal risk, and documentation standards.
• Oversee document control processes and legal record-keeping protocols.

Stakeholder Engagement and Legal Strategy

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to senior business leaders, product heads, and deal teams.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, Finance, and other control functions to ensure integrated legal risk management across the transaction lifecycle.
• Manage external legal counsel relationships, including briefing, negotiation, quality assurance, and cost control on complex or multi-jurisdictional matters.
• Contribute legal insight into business planning, new product development, and cross-border expansion initiatives.

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.
• Postgraduate qualification in commercial, corporate, or banking law is preferred.
• Conveyancing and Notarial qualification and experience is an added advantage.

Experience Required

• 3-5 years of post-admission experience in a top-tier law firm or in-house legal team within the financial services sector, preferably within investment or corporate banking.
• 2-4 years' experience in investment banking, treasury, or capital markets structuring.
• Demonstrated expertise in advising on complex CIB transactions and regulatory issues.
• Proven experience working across African jurisdictions and managing cross-border legal matters.
• Familiarity with banking products, financial instruments, and capital markets documentation.

Knowledge and Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of South African banking, securities, and financial regulation.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and legal analysis skills.
• Familiarity with market-standard documentation (e.g., LMA)
• Ability to interpret regulatory developments and assess legal implications for new products or business models.
• Strong capability in translating legal complexities into practical, business-aligned guidance.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic Judgement: Applies legal insight to influence commercial strategy and risk decisions.
• Integrity and Ethics: Upholds confidentiality, independence, and professional responsibility.
• Stakeholder Influence: Communicates complex legal issues clearly and credibly at all levels.
• Proactive Delivery: Demonstrates ownership, resilience, and initiative in dynamic and high-pressure environments.
• Collaborative Leadership: Builds strong internal and external relationships and fosters teamwork across legal and business functions.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains high standards in legal documentation and governance.

Key Interfaces

• CIB Business Heads and Product Leads
• Legal Executives and Internal Counsel
• Compliance, Risk, and Finance Teams
• External Legal Counsel and Regulatory Authorities
• Transaction and Deal Execution Teams

Education
Bachelor Honours Degree: Law (Required)
Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.
Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised

Skills Required