Legal Manager – Employee/Pension Benefits | Financial Services Role in Bellville, Cape Town

Company: RecruitMyMom (Hiring for Client in Financial Services)
Location: Bellville, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Date Posted: 8 May 2025
Job Opening ID: ZR_14498_JOB
Contract Type: Permanent | Full-time with Flexible Hours
Location Type: In Office
Salary: Negotiable, based on qualifications and experience
Application Closing Date: Open Until Filled

🏢 About the Company

This respected financial services firm is a leader in delivering pension administration, employee benefits solutions, and retirement fund advisory services. With a long-standing reputation for technical excellence, client service, and compliance, the company is now offering an exciting opportunity for a seasoned Legal Manager – Employee Benefits to join its growing legal and technical team in Bellville, Cape Town. This is a critical leadership position ideal for someone who thrives on client-facing engagements, has a solid foundation in pensions law, and possesses the ability to drive regulatory compliance and stakeholder management in the dynamic field of employee benefits.

📋 Role Overview

The Legal Manager will play a pivotal role in managing the legal and compliance functions related to pension funds, employee benefit regulations, FAIS compliance, and Section 37C death claims investigations. You’ll be the key liaison with trustees, Principal Officers, service providers, and internal departments. This front-facing, in-office position offers the chance to influence policy development, compliance accuracy, and industry engagement at a senior level.

Core hours are Monday to Friday, 09h00 to 16h00, with flexibility within the 08h00 – 17h00 window.

🛠️ Key Responsibilities

🔍 Legal & Technical:

• Draft, review, and manage fund rules, amendments, and ensure alignment with applicable legislation

• Evaluate court orders and deduction requests for statutory compliance

• Review and negotiate third-party contracts and service agreements

• Respond to complaints from the Pension Funds Adjudicator

• Brief legal Counsel and provide legal guidance to the team

• Interpret and disseminate new legislation and case law affecting retirement funds

• Assist in product development through legal input on benefit design and implementation

• Contribute to internal publications by writing technical articles and legal updates

🧾 Compliance:

• Oversee FAIS and section 13B administrator compliance

• Ensure internal processes meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices

⚰️ Section 37C Death Benefit Investigations:

• Supervise and guide the death claims team

• Review and sign off death benefit allocation recommendations

• Present cases and legal rationale to trustees

• Enhance procedures and tools related to death benefit claims

• Educate retirement funds and employers on Section 37C through presentations and workshops

🪪 Trustee Meetings:

• Oversee agenda preparation, documentation, and record-keeping

• Ensure efficient scheduling, distribution, and minute-taking for all trustee board meetings

• Track and manage action items from meetings

👥 Management & General Duties:

• Manage and develop a team of legal and technical staff

• Conduct performance appraisals and manage KPIs

• Support Principal Officers in dealing with complex queries and legal matters

• Liaise with Human Resources as needed

🎓 Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) or equivalent – admission as attorney advantageous

• Expert-level knowledge of South African pensions law, employee benefits, and relevant compliance frameworks

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in a similar role in financial services or pension fund law

• Strong experience in client-facing engagements, with a history of liaising with trustees and Principal Officers

• Proficiency in Afrikaans and English – both verbal and written

💼 Skills and Competencies

• High attention to detail and excellent organizational skills

• Strong analytical, legal writing, and interpretative abilities

• Ability to prioritize, manage pressure, and meet tight deadlines

• Proactive, self-driven, and capable of working independently and in teams

• Sound managerial capabilities with a firm understanding of team dynamics

🎁 What the Company Offers

• Competitive salary negotiated based on experience and qualifications

• Full-time, flexible working hours in a supportive, in-office environment

• Compulsory membership of:

  • Retirement Provident Fund

  • Employer Risk Benefit Schemes

  • Discovery Health Medical Aid (unless covered by a spouse’s plan)

• The opportunity to influence policy, compliance, and governance in the financial services industry

🌍 Equal Opportunity Statement

The company is committed to employment equity and transformation. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, and preference may be given to candidates from designated groups in line with the company’s employment equity plan.

📩 How to Apply

Ready to take the lead in employee benefits legal management? Apply now via https://jobsandcareeropportunities.co.za/ by searching Job ID: ZR_14498_JOB or submit your CV directly through the platform.

🔎 Explore More Opportunities

Visit https://jobsandcareeropportunities.co.za/ for more vacancies in legal, financial services, and compliance roles across South Africa.

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