General Counsel

Job Description

L'Oréal is seeking a strategic and influential General Counsel to act as a key legal business partner for our Sub-Saharan Africa operations. In this executive role, you will provide expert legal guidance across all business functions, ensuring robust compliance and safeguarding the company's interests. As a member of the local and regional Management Committees, you will influence critical business decisions, balancing commercial ambitions with legal, ethical, and reputational integrity. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape our legal framework while enabling sustainable growth in a dynamic market.

Requirements

• A postgraduate LLB degree is required.
• Must be an admitted attorney.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE).
• At least 5 years of experience serving as a corporate in-house advisor.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership or team management capacity.
• Experience within the FMCG sector is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Demonstrated ability to understand strategic objectives and contribute meaningfully to their execution.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of brands, markets, and related legal issues.
• Ability to decode complex situations, provide accurate diagnoses, and propose alternative solutions.
• Skilled in clarifying and simplifying legal concepts to facilitate effective decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Zone President, Country Manager, and Regional Management Committee.
• Provide proactive, business-focused legal advice to all departments, including marketing, sales, and supply chain.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Ethics, Internal Control, and Scientific Regulatory departments.
• Actively participate in executive leadership meetings, guiding decisions to ensure legal and ethical soundness.
• Lead the local implementation of L'Oréal Group's global policies on data privacy, anti-bribery, and competition law.
• Ensure the company's legal compliance with all current legislative, regulatory, and jurisprudential standards.
• Design and implement relevant legal policies and practices, providing training to legal and non-legal staff.
• Oversee and strengthen internal controls, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage the company secretarial function to ensure statutory compliance with the Companies Act.
• Serve as a member on key committees, including Employment Equity, B-BBEE, and the Corruption Committee.
• Act as an employer-appointed trustee to the L'Oréal Provident Fund board.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Anticipate and mitigate legal risks associated with business transactions, campaigns, and product launches.
• Train commercial and marketing teams on legal best practices for product claims and digital marketing.
• Manage all disputes, litigation, and regulatory investigations in partnership with external counsel.
• Implement strategies for efficient conflict prevention and resolution.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with regulators, industry bodies, and external counsel.
• Act as a liaison between Paris headquarters and local operations, ensuring strategic alignment.
• Serve as a mentor and coach to the legal team, fostering their professional development.