Lead Specialist: Legal

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Belonging at Absa

Absa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.

Job Summary

CIB Legal is currently looking for Principal Legal Counsel to join the Transactional Banking Legal Team. Whilst experience across all Transactional Banking products is required, the incumbent will be responsible for identifying, mitigating and managing legal risk across the Pan Africa Cash Management (CM) business. The incumbent is responsible for delivering expert-level insight on complex financial products, legal frameworks, and regulatory obligations to shape innovative, compliant, and commercially viable solutions across Pan Africa. This role integrates deep domain expertise in both financial structuring and legal advisory. It supports origination, structuring, execution, and governance of high-impact CIB transactions while influencing product development, legal strategy, and business enablement in a dynamic regulatory and commercial environment.

Job Description

Accountability:

Legal Risk

• a trusted advisor to business and other infrastructure areas; understands market and legal developments and their impact on business
• Lead structuring of complex financial products (e.g; Cash Management and Trade and Working Capital)
• Translate macroeconomic, regulatory, and client insights into tailored product solutions.
• Provide legal advice on transactional structuring, execution, and documentation aligned with commercial and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure product and legal solutions are viable across multiple jurisdictions with sound risk-return profiles.
• Contribute to and/or lead  industry-wide initiatives 

 

Risk Management and Governance

• Identify and mitigate legal and product-related risks across the transaction lifecycle.
• Develop legal risk frameworks, controls, and escalation protocols.
• Conduct product stress testing and scenario analysis to inform risk-adjusted structuring.
• Represent both legal and product domains in internal committees and governance forums.

 

Product Development and Innovation

• Shape the design and evolution of CIB products in response to client demand, market shifts, and regulatory trends.
• Localise global product offerings for South African and pan-African contexts.
• Guide pricing model development, term sheet drafting, and feasibility assessments.
• Embed automation, analytics, and digital enablement into product workflows.

 

Documentation and Policy Oversight

• Maintain high standards for legal templates, product documentation, and internal policies.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with best practice across all client-facing and internal documents.
• Contribute to internal training, legal knowledge repositories, and innovation forums.
• Drive continuous improvement in product and legal documentation standards.

 

Leadership & Management

• Demonstrates strong relationship management skills with clients and stakeholders
• Plan and manage projects and matters through to completion, including resourcing

• Contribute to the development and implementation of team objectives and strategy
•  Mentor junior legal and product professionals

• Work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate the ability to supervise where appropriate

Education

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification
• Admitted attorney/advocate (or equivalent jurisdictional qualification).
• Post Graduate diploma or master’s degree in Banking, Corporate or Commercial Law preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years post-admission legal experience in a top-tier law firm or in-house financial services legal role.
• 5-7 years' experience in Corporate and Investment banking
• Extensive exposure to complex, cross-border CIB transactions across jurisdictions.
• Proven ability to advise and influence in a regulated, matrixed environment.

Education

Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Law, Military Science and Security (Required)