Dreamlab | Group Legal

Cape Town (Hybrid – your choice)

Dreamlab is a fast-growing portfolio group building and scaling experience-led businesses across hospitality, food & beverage, aviation catering and entertainment. From Michelin-starred restaurants to international catering operations and emerging consumer brands, we partner with ambitious founders and businesses to unlock growth globally. We’re now expanding our Group Legal function to support an exciting next phase of investment and international expansion.

We are looking for a high-calibre Corporate Counsel (5–8 PQE) who is looking to transition to an in-house role from private practice, reporting directly to the Head of Legal. This is a high-impact, deal-focused role at the centre of the group’s growth strategy. You will lead on corporate and corporate finance matters across a diverse international portfolio, working closely with senior stakeholders and external advisors. You’ll be given real ownership, exposure to complex cross-border work, and the opportunity to help shape a best-in-class in-house legal function.

• Leading and advising on M&A transactions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships

• Supporting debt and equity financings, including investor negotiations and execution

• Advising boards and senior stakeholders on corporate governance and directors’ duties

• Drafting and negotiating key documents (SPAs, SHAs, term sheets, investment docs)

• Managing cross-border transactions (UK, US, Europe and beyond)

• Coordinating external counsel and internal stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions

• Building and improving legal processes, templates, and playbooks

• Mentoring junior team members and contributing to a high-performing legal team

• Qualified lawyer (UK, South Africa or similar common law jurisdiction)

• 5–8 years’ PQE, ideally from a top-tier law firm, looking for their first in-house role 

• Corporate/M&A transactions

• Private equity / venture capital deals

• Cross-border structuring and execution

• Strong legal technician with excellent excellent drafting and negotiation skills
  

• In-depth knowledge of corporate law

• Ability to operate independently and drive deals end-to-end
  

• Knowledge of the UK Company Act is not required but would give candidates an advantage

• Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Comfortable working with ambiguity and building structure from scratch

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

• Commercially minded with a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach

• Interested in innovation, technology, and modern ways of working

• Natural mentor with leadership potential

• Work directly on high-value, international transactions

• Be part of a growing, ambitious group with real momentum

• Gain exposure across a diverse portfolio of businesses and sectors

• Help build a world-class in-house legal function from the ground up

• Flexible hybrid working model (you choose)

• Collaborative, high-performance culture

• Competitive salary

• PAYE & UIF

• Parking allowance

• Full equipment provided

If you’re a commercially minded corporate lawyer looking to step into a dynamic, high-growth environment with real ownership and impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Dreamlab | Group Legal

Cape Town (Hybrid – your choice)

Dreamlab is a fast-growing portfolio group building and scaling experience-led businesses across hospitality, food & beverage, aviation catering and entertainment. From Michelin-starred restaurants to international catering operations and emerging consumer brands, we partner with ambitious founders and businesses to unlock growth globally. We’re now expanding our Group Legal function to support an exciting next phase of investment and international expansion.

We are looking for a high-calibre Corporate Counsel (5–8 PQE) who is looking to transition to an in-house role from private practice, reporting directly to the Head of Legal. This is a high-impact, deal-focused role at the centre of the group’s growth strategy. You will lead on corporate and corporate finance matters across a diverse international portfolio, working closely with senior stakeholders and external advisors. You’ll be given real ownership, exposure to complex cross-border work, and the opportunity to help shape a best-in-class in-house legal function.

• Leading and advising on M&A transactions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships

• Supporting debt and equity financings, including investor negotiations and execution

• Advising boards and senior stakeholders on corporate governance and directors’ duties

• Drafting and negotiating key documents (SPAs, SHAs, term sheets, investment docs)

• Managing cross-border transactions (UK, US, Europe and beyond)

• Coordinating external counsel and internal stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions

• Building and improving legal processes, templates, and playbooks

• Mentoring junior team members and contributing to a high-performing legal team

• Qualified lawyer (UK, South Africa or similar common law jurisdiction)

• 5–8 years’ PQE, ideally from a top-tier law firm, looking for their first in-house role 

• Corporate/M&A transactions

• Private equity / venture capital deals

• Cross-border structuring and execution

• Strong legal technician with excellent excellent drafting and negotiation skills
  

• In-depth knowledge of corporate law

• Ability to operate independently and drive deals end-to-end
  

• Knowledge of the UK Company Act is not required but would give candidates an advantage

• Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Comfortable working with ambiguity and building structure from scratch

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

• Commercially minded with a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach

• Interested in innovation, technology, and modern ways of working

• Natural mentor with leadership potential

• Work directly on high-value, international transactions

• Be part of a growing, ambitious group with real momentum

• Gain exposure across a diverse portfolio of businesses and sectors

• Help build a world-class in-house legal function from the ground up

• Flexible hybrid working model (you choose)

• Collaborative, high-performance culture

• Competitive salary

• PAYE & UIF

• Parking allowance

• Full equipment provided

If you’re a commercially minded corporate lawyer looking to step into a dynamic, high-growth environment with real ownership and impact, we’d love to hear from you.