Head of Legal

Head of Legal ROLE PROFILE GENERAL Date September 2026 Location Johannesburg, South Africa Operations BMC Shared Services Job Grade E1 (Paterson) / M3 (Vedanta) ROLE CONTEXT The BMC Shared Services Business Unit provides centralised Finance, HR, Commercial, Legal and Corporate Affairs support to Vedanta Zinc International’s operations at Gamsberg , Black Mountain Mine (BMM) and VZI Projects . These operations operate within a complex regulatory, operational and financial environment requiring robust governance, risk management and internal control frameworks. The Head of Legal (E1) is responsible for providing strategic legal leadership and expert legal counsel to the mining operation and broader business. The role ensures compliance with all applicable mining, environmental, corporate, labour, health and safety, and commercial legislation while protecting the organisation's legal interests and reputation. The incumbent serves as a trusted advisor to the Executive Committee, Board, and senior leadership team, enabling the achievement of business objectives through effective legal risk management, governance, regulatory compliance, contract management, stakeholder engagement, and dispute resolution. The role ensures that legal considerations are integrated into operational, strategic, and investment decisions across the mining value chain. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Head of Legal plays a pivotal role as key legal counsel and advisor to the business and oversee all legal aspects related to compliance, due diligence, contract negotiations, review of agreements, litigations, M&A and advocacy matters to ensure smooth, uninterrupted flow of business operations. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Strategic Legal Leadership · Develop and implement the legal strategy for the mining business. · Advise executives and the Board on strategic legal matters and emerging legal risks. · Support corporate growth initiatives, acquisitions, joint ventures, and major projects. · Embed legal risk management into business decision-making. 2. Mining Regulatory Compliance · Ensure compliance with mining legislation, licence conditions, and regulatory commitments. · Oversee the acquisition, retention, renewal, amendment, and transfer of mining rights and permits. · Provide legal guidance on regulatory inspections, audits, and enforcement matters. · Monitor legislative developments affecting the mining sector. 3. Corporate Governance · Support effective governance structures and decision-making processes. · Ensure compliance with applicable corporate governance standards. · Provide legal support to Board and Executive Committees. · Maintain governance policies and delegations of authority. 4. Commercial and Contract Management · Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and administration of high-value commercial agreements. · Support procurement, construction, project, logistics, and service contracts. · Ensure contractual frameworks adequately protect the company's interests. Manage legal support for strategic partnerships and joint ventures. 5. Legal Risk Management · Develop and implement legal risk management frameworks. · Identify and assess legal risks associated with mining operations and projects. · Provide practical and commercially sound risk mitigation solutions. · Ensure legal risks are integrated into enterprise risk management processes. 6. Labour and Employment Law · Provide legal guidance on industrial relations and employment matters. · Support collective bargaining processes and union engagements. · Advise on disciplinary matters, grievances, retrenchments, and labour disputes. · Ensure compliance with employment legislation and workplace policies. 7. Environmental and Sustainability Law · Advise on environmental compliance, permitting, closure obligations, and rehabilitation requirements. · Support ESG and sustainability initiatives from a legal perspective. · Manage legal risks associated with environmental incidents and stakeholder impacts. · Ensure legal compliance regarding social and environmental commitments. 8. Litigation and Dispute Management · Manage litigation and dispute resolution matters. · Oversee external legal counsel and specialist advisors. · Develop strategies to resolve disputes effectively and cost-efficiently. · Represent the organisation during significant legal proceedings where appropriate. 9. Leadership and Capability Development · Lead and develop the legal function. · Promote a culture of integrity, ethics, accountability, and continuous improvement. · Manage departmental budgets and external legal expenditure. · Build internal legal capability across the organisation. 10. Safety, Risk & Compliance · Complete Visible Felt Leadership (VFL), Gemba Walks, PTOs and risk assessments as required. · Promote zero harm and compliance culture across the organisation QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Qualifications · Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Law · A Master’s in Business Administration(MBA) will be advantageous. · Valid Code B Driver’s License. · Must be able to obtain a Certificate of Medical Fitness. Experience · Minimum 15 years’ legal experience, including significant exposure to the mining industry. · At least 5 years in a senior legal leadership role within mining, resources, energy, or heavy industry. · Experience advising executive leadership teams and boards. · Extensive knowledge of mining, environmental, labour, commercial, and corporate law. · Proven experience managing complex legal and regulatory matters. Technical Competence · Mining and Mineral Law · Commercial and Contract Law · Corporate Governance · Environmental Law · Labour and Employment Law · Regulatory Compliance · Legal Risk Management · Litigation Management · ESG and Sustainability Governance Behavioural · Strategic Thinking · Commercial Acumen · Decision-Making · Influence and Negotiation · Stakeholder Management · Ethical Leadership · Business Partnership · People Leadership · Change Management Organisational Fit · Alignment with VZI’s values of trust, entrepreneurship, innovation, excellence, integrity, respect and care. · Commitment to strong governance, ethical conduct and transparency. · Ability to operate independently while influencing across all levels of the organisation. · Alignment with zero harm, operational excellence and sustainability objectives.