Manager - Commercial Legal.Corporate Services

Context:

• Work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature is undertaken which requires stringent legal regulation
• Participation in the formulation and management of intellectual property
• Exposure to Consumer Protection Act, National Credit Act, WASPA Code, Electronic Communications Communication and Transaction Act, ARB
• Provision of legal and risk related advice
• Regulatory environment (collaboration with regulatory advisors)
• Business and competition law
• Changes in business behavior
• Rapid growth of the company
• Rapid growth of product and services
• Insurance environment, within and outside of SA
• More than 80% of a company’s business relationships governed by contracts

Key Performance Areas:

Operational Planning and Process Enhancement

• Provide input into the formulation and implementation of MTN SA’s Legal policies, business rules and terms and conditions relating to the Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Units. 
• Proactively assess the business / legal risk in all transactions and interactions considered by Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Units, identifying issues that could arise and taking into consideration the long term (1-2 years) implications from a broad perspective.
• Conduct and advise on ongoing research of changes in legal frameworks and business development.
• Drive best practice, continuous improvement and innovation at process and procedure level.

Commercial Legal Support

• Provide all legal support and expertise to the Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Units in order to ensure compliance with law requirements and protection of MTN SA interests.
• Make legal recommendations, taking in consideration the impact thereof on other areas of the business and their interdependencies.
• Participate in negotiations with third parties with legal impact.
• Participate in the meetings in Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Unit area whenever legal input is required.
• Support contract negotiations with dealers, partners and corporate clients.
• Provide support in the preparation of all legal documents, drafting and vetting/ reviewing terms and contents of policy documents, commercial contracts, service level agreements and ancillary documentation.
• Participate in dispute resolution.
• Manage Advertising Regulatory Board matters.
• Compile and maintain a bank of precedents.
• Advise relevant levels of management on corporate governance issues, management of compliance with local and international laws and assist with the structuring of relevant MTN Group standard documents to conform to local / international laws as appropriate.
• Advise internal departments on various agreements/transactions with a variety of service providers and external suppliers.
• Liaise with Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Contract Management Office to ensure that all information related with Business Units and legal agreements is uploaded in the system.

Reporting

• Report on commercial legal activities within the Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Units to Senior Legal Advisor; General Manager and Executive Head of Legal.
• Report on potential commercial risks that could arise in the Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Units and ensure the appropriate mitigation plan is developed.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Instruct external counsel/attorneys.
• Provide support to external attorneys and management thereof.
• Work closely and liaise with external attorneys who support MTN in the Marketing, Digital and Supersonic Business Unit, instructing and supervising them as appropriate.
• Institute/facilitate complaints to Advertising Regulatory Board.
• Escalate all queries/ issues related with the performance of external attorneys to Senior Legal Advisor: Marketing, Digital and Supersonic.
• Provide input to the Contract Automation system.

Customer Satisfaction

• Manage and build solid relationships with all customers – internal and external.
• Understand customer needs and requirements and align service delivery accordingly.
• Ensure customer needs and requirements are satisfied through having the appropriate systems, processes and procedures in place to be able to meet them efficiently and effectively.
• Adopt a proactive approach to prevent problems from arising in the future.
• Identify trends and patterns pertaining to customer requests and needs and filter this information appropriately to continually improve all aspects of service delivery.

Education:

1. LLB or equivalent
2. Admission as an Attorney 

Experience:

• Min of 5 years in Commercial Legal practice in a recognized or international law firm dealing with Intellectual Property-related matters.
• Prior experience in legal aspects in relation to Corporate marketing.
• Prior experience with the Advertising Regulatory Board.
• Experience in the actual drafting of contracts and commercial Terms and Conditions. 
• Litigation experience advantageous.
• Experience in telecommunications and telecoms regulatory issues advantageous.
• Commercial / technical and/or further legal qualifications will be an advantage.

About MTN South Africa

Launched in 1994, MTN South Africa is a subsidiary of MTN Group, a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy is Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.