Description Vendor agreements Sales Processes adopted across departments. Job Title: Manager - Contracts & Commercial Department: Legal Reports To: Head of Legal Location: Cape Town Direct Reports: N/A About j. awan & partners At j. awan & partners, we believe in "challenging the status quo every day", delivering seamless excellence to our customers across the world. We challenge the status quo by making tailor‑made solutions to meet the specific requirements of our client's business interests and delivering our solutions to their needs with effective simplicity. We understand that time is precious and as such our tailor‑made solutions are simple to understand, simple to embed and simple to use. We are a fast‑growing international Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Consultancy with our headquarters in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). We also have our own Technology company creating bespoke cutting edge RegTech solutions. Our business presence covers multiple jurisdictions with offices in: UAE KSA UK & Ireland Singapore Porto Pakistan Qatar South Africa We provide Regulatory Governance, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Recruitment and Technology services (the "Services") to a large number of clients including global, regional and local financial services institutions, governments and other industry partners. As part of our global expansion plan, we are now looking for an ambitious and agile professional with a strong background to join our team. Mission / Purpose of the Role This role bridges legal contract management with commercial execution. The Manager – Contracts & Commercial supports the Legal function in developing and managing: Client engagement letters Commercial contracts Vendor agreements This is done in close coordination with: Sales PMO Compliance Finance The role ensures contractual terms are: Commercially viable Operationally deliverable Aligned with internal processes Compliant with legal and regulatory requirements The individual will play a key role in enabling consistent, compliant, and scalable contract practices across business units and will support proposal development by embedding contractual insight early in the sales cycle. 12–18 Month Mission Outcomes (What Success Looks Like) Ensure all commercial and legal contracts are delivered on time and in compliance with internal standards. Success Metric: On‑time contract turnaround. Strengthen contract lifecycle management and maintain accurate repositories. Success Metric: Zero missing documents and fully updated contract records. Improve operational efficiency in contract workflows and cross‑functional coordination. Success Metric: Reduction in contract processing delays. Support commercial negotiations with strong legal and risk insights. Success Metric: Positive feedback from Sales, PMO, and Finance. Maintain updated templates, clause libraries, and fallback positions. Success Metric: Repository updated quarterly with 100% accuracy. Key Accountabilities 1. Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Review Responsibilities Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, agreements, and related documents. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and assist in resolving contractual and commercial disputes. Assist in contract related system improvements, including digital workflows, contract lifecycle management tools and automation. Assist in drafting, updating, and reviewing legal documents such as: Contracts Agreements Engagement letters Terms and conditions Non‑disclosure agreements Success Indicators Contracts delivered on time and with zero errors. Reduced need for rework. No errors in legal contracts. All legal documents delivered within agreed timelines. 2. Contract Lifecycle Management Responsibilities Maintain a centralised repository of contracts. Manage the full contract lifecycle including: Renewals Amendments Approvals Correspondence Terminations Conduct periodic audits of executed contracts to ensure compliance with agreed obligations and internal policies. Success Indicators Contract database maintained accurately. Zero overdue renewals or missed obligations. 3. Cross‑Functional Coordination Responsibilities Act as liaison between: Legal PMO Procurement Finance Operations External parties Support commercial summaries, dashboards, and reporting. Collaborate and coordinate with other departments including finance, compliance, and project development to ensure legal compliance. Success Indicators Smooth coordination and timely completion of tasks. Positive stakeholder satisfaction. Smooth collaboration to avoid errors. 4. Legal & Governance Support Responsibilities Provide legal and governance support to the group and stakeholders. Success Indicators Tasks executed with compliance. 5. Process, Templates & Documentation Enhancement Responsibilities Assist in developing standard templates and risk guidelines for use across business units. Establish and maintain a clause library and fallback positions to support faster negotiation and standardisation across contracts. Success Indicators Updated templates and guidelines published quarterly. Processes adopted across departments. 6. Regulatory Awareness & Knowledge Development Responsibilities Keep up with current changes in all relevant areas of law. Contribute to enhancing the knowledge base of the company’s commercial and legal function. Support training initiatives by: Creating internal awareness materials Conducting sessions on legal risk, commercial clauses and best contracting practices. Success Indicators All updates incorporated within timelines. Documented contributions to internal training. Core Competencies Integrity: Demonstrates honesty and ethical conduct in all transactions. Accountability: Takes ownership of outcomes and deliverables. Resourcefulness: Solves financial and operational problems efficiently. Team Orientation: Collaborates effectively with peers and clients. Drive for Excellence: Strives for accuracy and continuous improvement. Role‑Specific Competencies Ability to draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements. Strong grasp of commercial terms, pricing models, risk assessment, and financial implications of contracts. Understanding project timelines, milestones, and how contractual terms tie into project execution. Efficient in maintaining accurate and organised contract records. Identify gaps and propose improvements in contract and commercial processes. Ability to ensure contracts align with internal policies and external legal requirements. Confidently engage with clients, vendors, and stakeholders to negotiate favourable terms. Effectively communicate contract terms, risks, and commercial strategies to senior management. Identifying and evaluating contractual and commercial risks with mitigation strategies. Understanding of contract law, commercial law, and regulatory frameworks relevant to the industry. Skills and Knowledge Strong English oral and written skills. Excellent problem‑solving skills with the ability to work independently. Excellent legal drafting and negotiation skills. Strong analytical and commercial acumen. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Time management and ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously. Education & Experience Education A legal graduate with a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a leading university who possesses relevant corporate law experience. Experience Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a corporate legal or commercial contracting role, ideally within the financial services, fintech, or regulatory sectors. Certifications Legal, governance, or contract management certifications preferred. Additional Requirements Experience of working in compliance, governance, or the financial industry is highly preferred. Paralegal background or formal legal training is desirable. Culture & Values Alignment Embody a growth mindset and appetite for continuous learning. Demonstrate agility and accountability in a fast‑paced, client‑driven environment. Uphold professional ethics and confidentiality standards. Collaborate seamlessly across departments and geographies. Align with j. awan & partners' core values of excellence, integrity, and innovation. Rewards & Growth Competitive salary and performance‑based bonus. Comprehensive medical insurance coverage. End‑of‑service benefits as per local laws. Opportunities for career growth within a multinational environment. Learning and professional development opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr