Legal Officer

WeconnectU · Somerset West

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Location: Somerset West, Western Cape
Department: Legal, Risk & Compliance

WeconnectU is a proudly South African, rapidly growing SaaS company specialising in innovative FinTech and property management software solutions. We are committed to developing an advanced, end-to-end property management ecosystem that simplifies processes, improves efficiencies, and empowers the property management industry.

Operating within a highly regulated environment, we are looking for an experienced, commercially minded, and exceptionally detail-oriented Legal Officer to join our Legal Risk & Compliance team based in Somerset West.

The successful candidate will play a key role in providing sound legal advice, drafting and managing high-quality commercial agreements, ensuring regulatory alignment, and proactively identifying and mitigating legal risks across the business.

We are looking for a legal professional who takes pride in delivering meticulous, accurate, legally sound work, and has the ability to navigate complex legal matters while supporting the commercial objectives of a growing technology company.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Support

• Provide practical, commercially sound legal advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on contractual, commercial, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Identify, assess, and advise on potential legal risks associated with business operations, software solutions, commercial arrangements, and strategic initiatives.
• Conduct thorough legal research and provide well-structured legal opinions and recommendations on complex legal matters.
• Interpret applicable legislation and regulatory requirements, translating legal obligations into practical business recommendations.
• Support management in making informed business decisions while ensuring the company's legal interests are adequately protected.
• Coordinate and liaise with external legal counsel on complex legal matters, disputes, legal opinions, and agreements.

Contract Drafting, Review & Management

• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalise a wide range of commercial agreements, including service level agreements (SLAs), non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), supplier agreements, software licensing agreements, and other contractual arrangements.
• Consistently deliver high-quality, accurate, comprehensive, and meticulously drafted legal contracts and documentation, ensuring all relevant terms, obligations, risks, and regulatory requirements are adequately addressed.
• Conduct detailed reviews of contractual documentation to identify inconsistencies, omissions, ambiguities, and potential legal or commercial risks.
• Ensure all agreements are legally sound, commercially appropriate, and aligned with applicable legislation and company policies.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on contractual obligations, negotiations, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain accurate, organised, and up-to-date legal records, agreements, and supporting documentation.
• Take ownership of the quality and accuracy of legal documentation, ensuring a consistently high standard of work.
• Maintain oversight over and upskill junior team members where required.

Regulatory Compliance & Corporate Governance

• Provide legal guidance on applicable legislation and regulatory requirements relevant to the company's operations.
• Support compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), Consumer Protection Act (CPA), and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Maintain awareness of regulatory requirements and developments involving relevant South African authorities, including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Payment Association of South Africa (PASA), and other applicable regulatory bodies.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments within South Africa and other relevant international jurisdictions, assessing their potential impact on the business.
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and maintaining internal legal policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Provide legal guidance on data privacy, information protection, cross-border data processing, and contractual data protection obligations.
• Collaborate with and assist the Risk & Compliance function to ensure appropriate legal oversight and regulatory alignment.

Legal Risk Management

• Proactively identify, evaluate, and advise on legal risks across business operations, commercial activities, and contractual arrangements.
• Recommend practical risk mitigation strategies that balance legal obligations with business objectives.
• Assist in investigating contractual disputes, legal concerns, regulatory incidents, and potential breaches.
• Support the development and implementation of corrective actions to minimise legal exposure.
• Promote legal awareness, accountability, and responsible business practices across departments.

Requirements

Qualification & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is essential.
• Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa is essential.
• A minimum of 5 years' post-admission experience in a legal role is essential, preferably within a corporate, commercial, financial services, FinTech, technology, or similarly regulated environment.
• Extensive experience in commercial law, contract drafting, legal advisory services, and contractual risk management.
• Demonstrated track record of independently drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and delivering high-quality, detailed, and legally sound commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of South African commercial law, contract law, corporate governance, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proven exposure to South African and international regulatory frameworks, particularly data protection and privacy legislation, including POPIA and GDPR.
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation and advising businesses on their legal and regulatory obligations.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to financial services, payment systems, software solutions, and property management would be advantageous.
• Experience working with external legal counsel and cross-functional business stakeholders.
• Exposure to legal risk management, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance practices.
• A postgraduate qualification in Risk Management, or Compliance would be advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail is essential, with a meticulous and thorough approach to drafting, reviewing, and finalising legal documentation.
• Proven ability to consistently produce high-quality, accurate, comprehensive, and well-structured legal contracts, ensuring every relevant clause, obligation, and potential risk is carefully considered.
• Strong proofreading, analytical, and quality assurance skills, with the ability to identify errors, inconsistencies, omissions, and potential legal risks in complex documentation.
• Excellent legal drafting, contract negotiation, research, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of commercial legal principles and regulatory obligations.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and translate legal requirements into clear, practical business recommendations.
• High levels of personal accountability, professionalism, and integrity, with a strong commitment to delivering work of an exceptional standard.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple legal matters and competing priorities without compromising quality or accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and take ownership of legal matters from initiation through to completion.
• A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with the ability to balance legal compliance, risk mitigation, and commercial objectives.
• Adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to continuously learn within a fast-growing technology environment.
• A collaborative and approachable working style, with the ability to build trusted relationships across the business.

Why Join WeconnectU?

At WeconnectU, you'll be part of a forward-thinking, collaborative team that values ownership, innovation, continuous development, and excellence.

This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a growing technology business, gain exposure to diverse commercial and regulatory matters, and play an important role in strengthening the legal foundations that support our continued growth.

You'll work closely with stakeholders across the business, providing legal expertise that supports innovation, responsible decision-making, and sustainable business practices.

If you're an experienced, commercially minded legal professional who takes pride in delivering meticulous, high-quality work, and making a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you!

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