Legal Advisor Payments needed at FirstRand Corporate Centre

Job Description

• To play a pivotal role in delivering expert legal counsel on complex and high impact matters within the payments ecosystem. Operating within the Payments Law Centre of Expertise, this role provides deep subject matter expertise on payments regulation, infrastructure, and innovation, ensuring legal risk is proactively managed and business strategies are legally enabled.
• To partner closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to embed legal insight into the design and execution of payments products, services, and platforms. The incumbent also contributes to shaping the legal and regulatory landscape through industry engagement and thought leadership.
• Deliver authoritative legal advice on all aspects of payments law, including regulatory compliance, licensing, settlement systems, fintech partnerships, and digital payment innovations.
• Interpret and apply legislation such as the National Payment System Act, Financial Sector Regulation Act, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Provide legal input into the development and execution of payments strategies, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with business and product teams to enable innovation in payments while managing legal risk.
• Contribute to the design of new payments products and services, ensuring legal compliance from inception through to launch.
• Participate in strategic decision-making forums, offering legal insight that supports commercial and operational objectives.
• Monitor and analyse regulatory developments and industry trends impacting the payments landscape.
• Represent the organisation in regulatory consultations, industry working groups, and legal forums.
• Proactively identify legal risks and opportunities arising from market and regulatory shifts.
• Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of legal risks specific to payments.
• Support the development and implementation of legal risk frameworks, controls, and reporting mechanisms.
• Advise on dispute resolution and regulatory investigations related to payments.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior legal advisors and peers within the Payments Law Centre of Expertise.
• Contribute to the development of legal training materials and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and legal excellence.
• Leverage legal technology and digital tools to enhance advisory delivery, document management, and legal operations.
• Collaborate with technology teams to ensure legal compliance in digital platforms, APIs, and data flows.