Legal Advisor: Commercial Unit: Grade: 11: SLS: Legal Services

Legal Advisor:
Commercial Unit:
Job Grade: 11: SLS:
Legal Services:
Bellville

Date: 18 Feb 2026

Location:

Bellville, Western Cape, ZA

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market.

Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

Core Tasks:

• To provide expert legal advice and support on commercial and insurance related matters across Sanlam’s product offerings. The legal advisor will manage risk and enable business growth across insurance, investment, retirement funds and fintech solutions.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements including binder, intermediary, outsourcing, distribution, reinsurance and other transaction agreements.
• Ensure that contracts are legally sound and commercial aligned taking account of business objectives.
• Advise on insurance product structure, policy wordings, claims processes and regulatory compliance
• Support underwriting, claims, complaints and product development teams.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks in commercial and insurance operations.
• Ensure that business practices align with legal and regulatory requirements.

• Analyse disputes; consider, negotiate, implement and manage appropriate solutions.
• Consider practical and cost-effective alternatives, risks and trends.
• Negotiate, draft and vet all required legal agreements including but not limited to binders, outsourcing, intermediary agreements, SLA’s, re-insurance agreements, data sharing agreements, NDA’s, joint venture agreements, cross-border transactional agreements.
• Research, prepare and draft legal opinions required as required.
• Collaborate with other SLS Legal COE units, the control functions and business
• Represent Sanlam at required internal and external stakeholder engagements
• Providing legal advice in meetings
• Identifying problems and providing solutions in respect of insurance and financial services related matters
• Interpreting legislation and advise on the impact of legislation on the business
• Assisting with reviewing contracts and responding to internal queries

Role Requirements:

Qualifications:

• LLB or higher legal qualification
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate

Experience:

• At least 5 to 7 years’ experience (3 – 5 years’ post admission).
• At least 3 years’ relevant experience in insurance law, commercial law or financial services.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on insurance related matters.

Knowledge and

Skills:

• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing financial institutions in South Africa.
• Good knowledge of legislation impacting Sanlam Life including the FSRA, Insurance Act and Prudential Standards, Retirement funds legislation, FAIS Act and Code of Conduct.
• Good knowledge and understanding of contract negotiating and drafting.
• Sound knowledge of legal research and writing of legal opinions.
• Good knowledge of litigation and ADR processes.

Business insight - Contributing through others

Builds networks - Contributing through others

Manages complexity - Contributing through others

Persuades - Contributing through others

Being resilient - Contributing through others

Collaborates - Contributing through others

Courage - Contributing through others

Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others

Customer focus - Contributing through others

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