Senior Legal Officer

Old Mutual

Job Type

Full Time

About Old Mutual

Old Mutual was established in Cape Town in 1845 as South Africa’s first mutual life insurance company, offering financial security in uncertain times.

Today, the Group has grown into a premier pan-African financial services Group that offers a broad spectrum of financial solutions to retail and corporate customers across key market segments in 12 countries, with listings on five stock exchanges.

We now employ more than 27 000 people and operate in 12 countries across two regions Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eSwatini) and Asia (China)

Job Description

The Senior Legal Officer will play a pivotal role in overseeing the legal aspects of our business operations. This includes providing expert legal advice, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, managing litigation, and supporting the company’s strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience in the insurance industry and a proven track record of managing complex legal matters.

Responsibilities

Provide proactive legal advice and support to senior management and departments across the company.
Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, including insurance laws and corporate governance standards.
Monitor legislative changes and recommend necessary policy or procedural adaptations.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including policies, vendor and partnership agreements, and NDAs.
Manage the entire lifecycle of contracts to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
Oversee litigation and dispute resolution processes involving the company.
Liaise with external counsel and represent the company in legal proceedings when required.
Advise on corporate governance matters and ensure compliance with internal and statutory obligations.
Support the preparation of board and committee meetings, including drafting resolutions and maintaining records.
Conduct legal and compliance training sessions for staff.
Mentor junior legal team members and promote continuous learning and development.
Manage and deliver designated legal case work programs.
Provide specialist advice on policy interpretation and resolution of queries and issues.
Organize and prepare complex legal documents and reports.
Provide support and advice on internal and external communication systems.
Advise managers on the application of procedures and precedents.
Analyze legal data and identify potential solutions.
Work within existing policies to meet organizational objectives.
Build effective working relationships with internal clients to deliver high-quality legal services.
Continuously develop personal legal capabilities and maintain relevant professional accreditations.

Requirements

Law degree from an accredited institution.
Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre.
Admission to the bar and possession of a current practicing certificate.
Minimum of 5 years’ legal experience in a busy law firm or corporate entity.
Strong understanding of insurance law and regulatory frameworks.
Proven experience in handling complex legal matters including litigation, contracts, and compliance.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
High ethical standards and professional integrity.
Reporting line to the Head of Legal and Company Secretary of UAP Old Mutual Insurance (U) Ltd.
Experience working in a multinational insurance company.
Familiarity with insurance regulations.
Advanced certification or specialization in insurance or corporate governance.
Analytical thinking
Legal consulting and document preparation
Contract management and negotiation
Corporate governance expertise
Communication and persuasion
Decision quality and accountability
Strategic mindset and complexity management
Coaching and mentoring
Continued professional learning and development