Head of Legal – The Mutual System

Job Advert Summary

The Head of Legal for the Mutual System is responsible for proactively managing all legal and regulatory matters that impact the development, implementation, and operation of the Mutual System. This role will ensure that the platform, its products, partners, advisers, and related services operate within the necessary legal frameworks, safeguard IP, manage third-party contracts, and remain compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. The individual will also be accountable for drafting and maintaining robust terms and conditions, legal agreements, and commercial constructs that protect PPS and support the Mutual System’s growth and integrity.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• LLB or equivalent degree.
• Admitted attorney in South Africa.

Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in legal roles with a focus on commercial law, preferably within a financial services or digital platform environment.

Desirable

• Experience working on platform-based or subscription-based business models and/or start-up/innovation contexts.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Legal Contracting: Strong background in commercial contract drafting, vetting and negotiation; excellent contract drafting and writing skills.
• Expertise in non-banking financial services, specifically Insurance Act, Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Companies Act.
• Business insight, stakeholder management and problem-solving abilities.
• Regulatory Awareness: In-depth understanding of financial services, platform, and consumer protection law.
• Strategic Legal Advisory: Ability to apply legal insight to evolving business and product design.
• Communication: Clear and professional legal communicator across executive, operational, and third-party stakeholders.
• Risk Assessment: Strong judgment in identifying legal exposures and providing pragmatic solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Risk Management

• Define and implement the legal strategy for the Mutual System.
• Identify legal risks and mitigation strategies across all elements of the platform (members, experts, partners, etc.).
• Drafting and vetting of client documentation; Draft and enforce comprehensive Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) for all Mutual System participants.
• Advice on legal considerations relating to new business ventures and assisting with the legal aspects of implementation of these, including data protection, personal
• information, intellectual property and trademarks
• Advice on compliance with relevant legislation
• Proactive advice to businesses on relevant legal developments
• Providing opinions on legal matters of relevance to the business
• Drafting and vetting of contracts (both in relation to financial services and those of a more general commercial nature)
• Liaising with external legal

Expert Agreements & IP Protection

• Draft and manage NDAs and IP transfer agreements for Mutual System Experts.
• Ensure that all knowledge contributions from Experts are contractually secured and legally compliant.

Partner Contracts

• Negotiate and finalise commercial contracts with a variety of third-party benefits and rewards partners.
• Draft NDAs and contractual provisions to ensure confidentiality and IP protection during development and launch phases.

Advisor Incentive Legality

• Assess and ensure compliance in paying incentives to advisers for non-financial solutions.
• Clarify legal boundaries where traditional financial advisory constraints may not apply.

Profit-Share Mechanism

• Investigate legal implications of using members’ profit-share accounts to pay for subscriptions.
• Ensure that all member consents are legally sound and properly documented.

Governance & Compliance

• Work closely with internal compliance, data protection and risk teams to ensure adherence to evolving legal obligations.
• Maintain an internal legal library of Mutual System contracts, precedents, and regulatory filings.