Overview
Senior Legal Counsel – Sub-Saharan Cluster Jobs in Gauteng, South Africa at Schneider Electric
Title: Senior Legal Counsel – Sub-Saharan Cluster
Company: Schneider Electric
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Are you a commercially minded legal leader looking to make a meaningful impact across one of the world’s most dynamic regions?
We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to support the Sub-Saharan Africa Cluster, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in enabling Schneider Electric’s growth ambitions by providing strategic legal guidance across multiple markets, jurisdictions, and business activities.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence high-value projects, shape key business decisions, and partner with stakeholders across the organization to manage risk, ensure compliance, and drive commercial success. Success in this position requires a combination of strong legal expertise, sound business judgment, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, international environment.
What will you do?
- Provide strategic and day-to-day legal counsel to business units and functional teams across the Sub-Saharan Africa Cluster
- Partner with commercial, finance, compliance, tax, human resources, procurement, and leadership teams to support business objectives and manage legal risk
- Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including sales, supply, services, maintenance, distribution, agency, partnership, consortium, and subcontracting contracts
- Support project and tender activities by assessing contractual risks, reviewing bid documentation, and advising on contract execution strategies
- Lead legal support for strategic, high-value, or complex transactions and projects across the region
- Advise on regulatory frameworks, licensing requirements, local content obligations, and other legal requirements across Sub-Saharan African jurisdictions
- Support corporate governance activities, including statutory compliance, board-related matters, and corporate record management for local entities
- Manage legal disputes, regulatory matters, and investigations while coordinating external legal counsel when required
- Contribute to the implementation and monitoring of compliance, ethics, governance, and internal control programs
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments, provide proactive risk assessments, and deliver legal awareness training to business stakeholders
Skills & Competencies:
- Integrity and ethical leadership
- Executive communication skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Resilience and adaptability
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment
- Relationship building across diverse cultures and geographies
- Influencing without direct authority
- Strong prioritization and organizational skills
What qualifications will make you successful?
- Law degree (LLB or equivalent).
- Admission to the bar or qualification as an attorney or advocate
- Advanced legal qualification such as an LLM or equivalent, particularly in international business law, will be an added advantage
- Experience supporting organizations within industrial, energy, infrastructure, engineering, technology, software, or services sectors
- Minimum 10-13 years of professional legal experience in commercial and/or corporate law
- Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial contracts
- Experience providing legal support within an international company and/or leading law firm environment
- Exposure to legal and regulatory matters across multiple Sub-Saharan African jurisdictions
- Knowledge of French or other relevant regional languages will be an added advantage but not a prerequisite
- Experience managing external counsel across litigation, arbitration, employment, regulatory, competition, or data protection matters
- Strong knowledge of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management principles
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal
- Demonstrated ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to business stakeholders
What’s in it for me?
- High-visibility role where your counsel directly influences business strategy and outcomes
- Opportunity to lead impactful projects and mentor legal professionals
- Collaborative culture that values expertise, strategic thinking, and professional growth
- Access to development programs that expand your specialized knowledge and leadership skills
- Flexible work options designed to support your personal and professional well-being
Bring your legal expertise to a team that’s ready to support your success — apply today!
