Director, Legal Counsel - Employment & Compliance, Africa

Job Description Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Compliance & Employment Counsel to lead our compliance and employment practice across our Africa Operating Unit. This role offers an opportunity to leverage legal and regulatory expertise in a dynamic, international environment while contributing to Coca-Cola’s mission to refresh the world and make a difference.

The Compliance & Employment Counsel will oversee a broad range of compliance, regulatory, and employment law matters, including Government and Public Engagement, Code of Business Conduct, Trade and Sanctions Compliance, Human Rights, Employment and Labor Law, and Third-Party Risk Management.

The ideal candidate will function as both advisor and strategic partner—closely collaborating with regional and global teams, embedding compliance and labor law best practices into business operations, and influencing business strategy.

What You’ll Do for Us:

• Lead Regional Compliance: Oversee compliance across the Africa Operating Unit, integrating Coca-Cola’s global compliance programs into business operations, including anti-corruption, trade, AML, sanctions, employment law, labor relations, human rights, whistleblowing, investigations, sustainability reporting and communications, and third-party due diligence.
• Employment Law & Workplace Compliance: Provide legal advice and strategic guidance on regional labor and employment laws, workplace investigations, terminations, disciplinary actions, litigation/disputes and policy development. Monitor legislative changes impacting employment relationships in Africa and coordinate timely policy and practice updates.
• Drive Global Collaboration: Serve as a liaison between global subject matter experts and Africa teams, adapting compliance and employment law initiatives to local realities and business objectives.
• Identify and Mitigate Risks: Proactively assess and mitigate risks in areas such as employment law, regulatory compliance, government and public engagement, human rights, labor and employment practices, third-party risk management, sustainability reporting and communications.
• Act as Strategic Business Partner: Integrate compliance and employment law considerations into decision-making, ensuring alignment with ethical and legal requirements.
• Relationship Development: Build partnerships with leaders across the business, HR, and legal functions to understand priorities, stay ahead of challenges, and maintain a proactive compliance posture.
• Engage in Cross-Functionally: Work collaboratively to ensure compliance and employment standards are embedded seamlessly into core business strategies.
• Manage Projects: Own global and regional projects and perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) or international equivalent preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 8+ years’ legal experience, including managing compliance, labor, and employment law risk within complex multinational environments.
• Skills: Exceptional communication, drafting, cross-functional collaboration, and influencing capabilities. Able to translate complex labor and compliance laws into business-friendly guidance.
• Languages: Fluency in English required.
• Working Style: Comfortable working autonomously, managing multiple priorities, and making informed decisions across diverse regulatory contexts.

What We Can Do for You:

• Purpose Driven: Empowerment through a purpose-driven approach that emphasizes protecting communities and delivering safe, quality products.
• Agility: Encourage innovation and new solutions to complex problems by removing barriers.
• Global Connections: Opportunities to develop and maintain global networks that facilitate learning and speed in execution.

Skills:

Compliance, Employee Compliance, Ethics, Influencing, Labor Law Compliance

Location(s):

South Africa

City/Cities:

Johannesburg

Travel Required:

00% - 25%

Relocation Provided:

No

Job Posting End Date:

June 11, 2026

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.