Legal Advisor & Compliance Officer

Job Description

MSCSA is a South African steel distributor and steel value-adding business with operations based around South Africa, with its head office situated in the East Rand, Johannesburg. We operate in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment where strong governance and commercial decision-making are critical.

This is a broad and impactful in-house role, ideal for a legal professional who enjoys working at the intersection of commercial contracts, governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. You’ll be a trusted advisor to executive management, business units, and the Board — helping protect the organisation, enable growth, and build a strong compliance culture.

• LLB degree (admitted attorney required).
• Minimum 5–8 years of post-qualification legal experience, preferably in a commercial or manufacturing environment.
• Solid experience in contract drafting and negotiation across a broad range of commercial agreements.
• Working knowledge of South African regulatory frameworks (Companies Act, POPIA, Competition Act, CPA, B-BBEE).
• Experience in a compliance officer or information officer capacity.
• Exposure to company secretarial duties and board governance processes.
• Experience managing insurance portfolios and liaising with brokers/insurers advantageous.
• B-BBEE compliance knowledge and verification process experience beneficial.

• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise
• Analytical & Risk Thinking
• Communication & Influence
• Integrity & Ethical Conduct
• Governance & Board Support
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Planning, Organization & Execution
• Attention to detail

• Legal Advisory & Commercial Support
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including supply, customer, SLA, distribution, lease, agency, partnership, and share-sale agreements.
• Provide practical legal advice to management and operational teams on commercial decisions, risk exposures, and regulatory impacts.
• Support strategic transactions (bank facility renewals, M&A, JV structures, B‑BBEE deals, restructurings, franchising, funding) including due diligence and risk mitigation.
• Manage disputes, litigation processes, and engagements with external legal counsel.
• Handle intellectual property matters including trademark and patent registrations, renewals, and infringement oversight.
• Governance, Board Support & Company Secretarial
• Support governance processes and board confidence through accurate, compliant, and timely information flows.
• Prepare and maintain board and committee documentation (Board, ARC, SEC); draft minutes and maintain charters and work plans.
• Maintain share registers, statutory disclosures, resolutions, and all CIPC filings.
• Oversee company secretarial platforms (e.g., Great Soft) and manage AGM preparation and shareholder communications.
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with South African legal and regulatory frameworks including the Companies Act, Competition Act, Consumer Protection Act, POPIA, and industry-specific regulations.
• Serve as Compliance Officer and Information Officer (POPIA Committee), providing training and compliance guidance.
• Maintain compliance registers, manage contract storage, conduct KYC compliance, and oversee internal policy governance and updates.
• B‑BBEE Compliance & Transformation
• Assist Head of Legal with the company's B‑BBEE consultants and oversee the annual verification process.
• Advise the business on B‑BBEE strategies, procurement alignment, and long-term planning to safeguard and improve the company's B‑BBEE rating.
• Insurance & Risk Protection
• Assist Head of legal with the management of the company's insurance portfolio, ensuring adequate coverage, policy alignment, and timely renewals.
• Liaise with brokers, insurers, and third parties; oversee significant claims and escalate disputes as required.
• Compliance Culture & Internal Controls
• Drive a predictable, defensible compliance environment through policy management, education, and process discipline.
• Deliver compliance training and maintain required regulatory registrations (e.g., Consumer Ombud).

• A comprehensive CV
• A motivational letter outlining relevant experience and suitability for the role
• Certified copies of qualifications