Head of Legal

The Head of Legal at HyperionDev is responsible for developing and implementing the legal strategy to facilitate international expansion. This includes managing a wide array of contracts with governments and universities, ensuring compliance with global regulations, and overseeing relationships with external law firms. The role is also pivotal in providing legal risk assessments and leading dispute resolution processes.

Candidates for the Head of Legal position at HyperionDev must be admitted attorneys holding an LLB degree, with a minimum of 10 years of in-house legal experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role. Strong experience in contract negotiation, corporate law, and compliance is essential, along with the ability to analyze complex legal issues.

At HyperionDev, we operate as a remote-friendly organization, allowing the Head of Legal to work flexibly from Southern Africa. This environment supports a balance of professional leadership and personal adaptability, making it conducive for driving impactful legal strategies while enjoying autonomy.

Aside from a competitive salary, HyperionDev offers generous annual leave, health insurance or medical aid benefits, and the flexibility to work remotely. This means you can enjoy a healthy work-life balance while being part of an innovative team aiming to make a significant impact in tech education.

The Head of Legal directly influences HyperionDev’s growth strategy by providing legal counsel that supports international expansion and compliance with regulations. They ensure that strategic agreements and collaborations are legally sound, mitigating risks that may impact the company's mission to enhance tech education access.

To support international expansion, I would focus on developing a robust legal framework that addresses compliance across different jurisdictions. This involves thorough research on local laws, efficient contract management, and consistent communication with our external legal teams to ensure alignment with our business objectives.

In a fast-paced legal environment, I prioritize tasks by assessing their urgency and impact on the business. Utilizing project management tools and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders allows me to stay organized and ensure that critical legal matters are addressed promptly without compromising quality.

I have extensive experience negotiating contracts with educational institutions and government entities. My approach includes comprehensive preparation, understanding the other party's needs, and ensuring that our terms align with our strategic goals, resulting in mutually beneficial agreements.

Ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements involves staying updated with relevant laws, conducting regular audits, and providing training for the internal team. I would also develop clear legal policies and procedures that everyone in the organization can follow.

One challenging legal issue I faced involved a complex dispute with a partnership that threatened our operations. I approached it by conducting a thorough analysis of the situation, gathering the necessary evidence, and engaging in direct negotiations to reach an amicable resolution, safeguarding the company's interests.

My approach to managing external legal counsel includes establishing clear communication, outlining expectations from the start, and regularly reviewing their performance against agreed objectives. This ensures that we maximize our resources and achieve efficient outcomes.

Fostering a culture of compliance within a tech startup begins with education and open communication about legal standards. I would implement training sessions and encourage team members to share their compliance concerns, creating an environment where everyone feels responsible for upholding our legal obligations.

I assess the effectiveness of legal strategies through various metrics, including the number of successful negotiations, compliance incident rates, and the outcomes of legal disputes. Gathering feedback from teams on the perceived clarity of legal guidelines is also critical for continuous improvement.

Handling conflicts of interest requires transparency and strict adherence to ethical standards. I would identify potential conflicts early, disclose them to the necessary parties, and ensure that we have a plan in place to manage the situation without compromising our integrity.

The most important skills for a Head of Legal in a tech company include strong negotiating abilities, excellent risk assessment understanding, and exceptional communication skills. The ability to navigate complex legal landscapes while facilitating collaboration between legal and operational teams is crucial for success.