Senior Managing Counsel - Southern and East Africa
Visa is seeking a Senior Managing Counsel to lead the Legal function in the Southern and Eastern Africa (SEA) sub-region within the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) region. This role involves managing Visa's legal affairs in rapidly growing and complex markets, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations, and supporting business objectives while mitigating legal risks. The position reports directly to Visa’s Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel of the CEMEA Region and has a dotted line reporting to the Group Country Manager for SEA.
The Senior Managing Counsel will be responsible for providing legal leadership to the SEA Leadership Team, drafting and negotiating complex commercial and strategic partnership agreements, and maintaining a zero-tolerance legal environment for compliance processes. The role also includes counseling business teams on legal and contractual matters, offering strategic guidance to regional and global colleagues, and managing an expanded legal team in the SEA sub-region. Additionally, the position involves leading process and efficiency improvements across the legal team and serving as the subject matter expert for all SEA market matters.
Candidates should possess a law degree and qualification that allows for in-house practice in South Africa, with a minimum of 15 years post-qualification experience from an international law firm and/or a multinational organization. Experience in banking, fintech, information technology, and payments technology is essential. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of commercial and payments technology law, and the ability to manage multiple market priorities in a fast-paced environment. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required.
This is a hybrid position based in Visa’s Johannesburg office, with expectations for in-office presence to be confirmed by the hiring manager. Some travel within the SEA sub-region may be required.
Visa offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment, providing opportunities for professional growth and development. As a global leader in payments technology, Visa is dedicated to connecting the world through secure and reliable payment solutions, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive.
To apply for this position, please visit Visa's careers page and submit your application through the provided link.