Senior Specialist Legal

Job Description

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

Responsible for delivering sound legal advice to the business and providing support to the business on matters relating to (i) the general law of property and the impact thereof on MAST, (ii) the drafting, negotiation and renewal of property leases, access agreements, site sharing agreements with third parties, commercial agreements with customers, vendor agreements and any other agreements that MAST may be required to enter into from time to time; (iii) dispute resolution and the mitigation of associated risk in all matters relevant to property transactions and related-matters involving MAST. Make sound judgements regarding terms and conditions when negotiating or renewing leases, supplier and managed services agreements including any associated agreements and when to settle disputes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Day to day responsibility for providing accurate, effective and timely legal advice, analysis and support at an expert level on commercial and contractual matters relating to MAST, with specific focus on property lease and site sharing negotiations, renewals and disputes
• Write legal opinions on MAST’s prospects of success on pending litigation relating to sites where MAST has a commercial, contractual or strategic interest
• Keep MAST business stakeholders updated and briefed on major negotiations, disputes and/or, changes in property law in South Africa that impact on MAST
• Provide MAST’s external lawyers with strategic direction on behalf of MAST in respect of litigation matters where they are acting on behalf of MAST

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• LLB Degree or higher
• Admitted attorney or advocate with 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience
• Demonstrable experience in property law
• Fluency in English is mandatory
• Extensive commercial law, drafting and negotiation experience, with ability to provide innovative legal solutions in a fast moving industry.

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

• Experienced commercial attorney or advocate with some knowledge of the telecoms industry or related experience
• Highly developed research skills
• Capable of negotiating and resolving complex commercial transactions and disputes
• Providing legal advice to senior business leaders of MAST
• Highly developed drafting skills covering the drafting of leases, renewals, site sharing agreements and other related documents
• Highly developed oratory skills
• Highly developed decision making and interpersonal skills
• Team player with strong negotiating/persuading skills
• Analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate with the business and external stakeholders
• Customer focus
• Consider and approve external lawyers’ invoices relating to any disputes where they are acting for MAST
• Be an active member of the MAST legal team
• Play a lead role in negotiating and drafting of lease, access, site sharing and related agreements
• Keep all standard lease agreement templates up to date and in line with developments in property law and dictates of MAST
• Actively participate in the broader Group legal community to bring benefit from experience, expertise and synergies to of the Group
• Keep EHOD: MAST Legal Affairs informed /involved on major or complex negotiations and disputes and write reports to them from time to time

Closing date for Applications: 15 April 2025.

The base location for this role is Bryanston.

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.