Legal Counsel
DESCRIPTION
Amazon is a leader in worldwide e-commerce, creating innovative technologies and experiences that are changing the way people find, discover and buy products and services. Lawyers at Amazon are trusted members of the business. Our work is intellectually challenging, exciting and fast-paced. Developing innovative solutions to novel legal questions is part of our daily business in a truly international setup. Like everyone at Amazon, we are passionate about our customers.
We are looking for a talented lawyer to support our growing South Africa Consumer Business as part of Amazon's Legal Department in South Africa. As Corporate Counsel, you will work closely with our business teams to create and launch innovative new features, programs and services for Amazon. This is an exciting part of our business where you will support your clients on a broad range of commercial legal matters and prepare and drive strategic decisions in a complex legal environment. You will work directly with the Consumer business teams, providing day-to-day advice, serving as lead counsel for South Africa on new innovate programs and business models, analyze new legislation, and manage contacts with authorities. You will be part of a broader team and work closely with our business lawyers across emerging countries/regions such as India, Middle East, Latin America and Asia Pacific.
This position requires great judgment and common sense, the ability to find pragmatic solutions in an ambiguous environment, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills.
We are looking for candidates who are innovative, progressive, extremely hands-on, and customer-obsessed professionals with a good commercial understanding.
Key job responsibilities
- Providing legal advice on a wide range of topics including general eCommerce, consumer protection, competition, compliance and regulatory matters.
- Day-to-day interaction with business clients, business lawyers and tech-teams.
- Outside counsel management.
- Hiring, training and mentoring of others.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Fully qualified lawyer with outstanding academic qualification
- Significant amount of post qualification experience with at least 6+ year’s post-qualification legal experience with a South African or international law firm or in-house.
- Strong commercial background and understanding.
- Excellent English language skills including the ability to draft and negotiate contracts.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- High degree of independence, initiative and decisiveness but also desire to be challenged and think outside the box.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to act as business partner to internal clients.
- Ability to prioritize and deliver projects in time in a fast-moving environment.
- Interest in technical innovation for customers.
- Familiarity with online services and the legal and regulatory environment in which they operate.
- Hands-on experience in responding to authority requests and compliance related disputes.
- A team player and consensus builder with great people skills and a good sense of humor who can efficiently collaborate and build relationships with attorneys and business clients at all levels throughout the organization.
- Highest standards of ethics and professional integrity
Amazon is an equal opportunities employer, and we value your passion to discover, invent, simplify and build. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. Amazon is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from South African citizens who are members of designated groups who may contribute to Employment Equity within the workplace and the further diversification of ideas. In this regard, the relevant laws and principles associated with Employment Equity will be considered when appointing potential candidates. We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. Amazon requires that you submit a copy of either your identity document or your passport and any applicable work permit if you are a foreign national, along with an updated curriculum vitae.