Head: Legal, Risk and Compliance Services

In brief

**Overview** This role serves as the strategic leader responsible for the legal, governance, ethics, compliance, risk, and regulatory functions within the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The Head ensures that the organization operates within applicable legislative and governance frameworks, effectively mitigates strategic and operational risks, safeguards organizational interests, strengthens institutional integrity, and provides sound legal and compliance advisory services to enable innovation and commercialization activities. **What you will do** * Manage legal, compliance, and risk management costs effectively. * Manage and report on performance against budget on a monthly basis. * Reduce financial exposure arising from legal and compliance matters. * Strengthen compliance controls and ethics management. * Ensure effective financial governance compliance. * Identify, build, and nurture trust and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. * Interact closely with the CEO, Executive Management, Board, Government officials, the public, and other stakeholders to maintain positive relationships for the organisation. * Engage with industry stakeholders to strategically position the organisation. * Influence stakeholder behaviour to align with organisational risk appetite and compliance standards. * Ensure timely legal opinions and contract reviews. * Promote ethical leadership and governance compliance. * Manage relationships with regulators and oversight bodies. * Contribute to the development and drive the implementation of the organisation’s Five-Year strategic plans, vision, and goals. * Develop an annual operational plan and set clear direction and objectives for the Business Unit. * Define, drive, and report on the performance of the Business Unit. * Drive a culture of professionalism, delivery, efficiency, and urgency in the organisation. * Oversee all operational and business activities to ensure desired results and consistency with the overall strategy. * Follow operational procedures, policies, and standards. * Develop and implement work plans to guide the implementation of projects. * Ensure communication, knowledge sharing, and interdependence across Business Units to maximise efficiency. * Apply forward-thinking to re-imagine organisational processes in line with client requirements to create value within specified time periods. * Oversee contract drafting, negotiation, and management. * Assist in producing reports that clearly explain key due diligence findings (as it relates to legal matters) and recommendations to the client, ensuring compliance with organisation standards, frameworks, and policies. * Manage risks to the Agency and Investee by adhering to risk management policies and procedures and ensuring significant risks are identified. * Perform detailed analyses to evaluate potential deal breakers and/or contract negotiating points. * Review and ensure that all TIA legal instruments/commitments are legally compliant. * Ensure that contract management is integrated into the various TIA systems and tools. * Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on the performance of the Business Unit. * Conduct risk assessment and update risk matrix for the Business Unit as well as for each Investment application. Submit monthly and quarterly risk reports. * Participate in feedback sessions with the Department of Science Technology and Innovation. * Oversee annual audit exercises and prepare responses to close audit findings. * Ensure compliance with applicable legislation as required. * Initiate change initiatives required to enhance the Business Unit’s effectiveness. * Ensure general discipline and compliance in the areas of responsibility and ensure corrective action is taken on all misconduct incidents. * Develop legal and compliance capabilities within the team. * Coach and mentor people to achieve higher performance. * Ensure adherence to all HR policies, procedures, and requirements to ensure sound people practices. * Promote a culture of integrity and accountability. * Strengthen organisational compliance awareness. * Develop and implement a risk-based compliance monitoring plan, maintain a compliance obligations register, report material compliance gaps, and track corrective actions. * Coordinate declarations of interests, gifts, and hospitality; assess potential conflicts involving staff, governance structures, and funding decisions; monitor implementation of agreed mitigation measures. * Oversee confidential ethics reporting mechanisms; ensure reported concerns are assessed and referred for appropriate investigation; monitor case progress and implementation of recommendations, in coordination with responsible functions. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * LLB Degree or equivalent qualification and a post-graduate certificate in Compliance Management, Corporate Governance, or Business Administration. * Admitted Attorney. * 8 – 10 years’ post admission experience in a Commercial law environment. * Experience in negotiating and drafting contracts. * Experience in Legal research and drafting of opinions. * Experience in leading negotiations on complex, high value agreements. * Experience in conducting and / or co-ordinating due diligence investigations. * At least 10 years ’ experience at a senior management level. * Experience within a public entity, development finance institution, innovation agency, or regulatory environment. * Strong leadership capabilities are key to optimising the performance of the Business Unit and building credibility across the organisation. * Demonstrated experience in corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. * Experience engaging with Boards and Executive Committees. * Experience supporting commercialization and technology-related transactions. * In-depth knowledge of relevant corporate governance and risk management legislation, codes and regulatory requirements that may impact TIA’s operations. * A broad understanding of the financial services / investment industry would be advantageous. **Who should apply** This role is suited for an experienced and admitted attorney with a strong background in commercial law, corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will possess extensive senior management experience (at least 10 years) and proven leadership capabilities, with a track record of providing strategic oversight in legal, risk, and compliance functions. Experience within public entities, development finance institutions, or innovation agencies, coupled with a deep understanding of corporate governance legislation and the ability to engage with Boards and Executive Committees, is essential. Candidates should also have experience in supporting commercialization and technology-related transactions. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/head-legal-risk-and-compliance-services-technology-innovation-agency Source: myjobmag

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• At least 8 years of experience.

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