Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Do you have experience providing commercial advice to large and complex organisations?
• A chance to apply strategic thinking on a complex projects
• Be part of a passionate, high performing in-house legal team
• Permanent opportunity based in Auckland or Wellington

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
As Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial you will report to the General Counsel Commercial and be responsible for advising on a broad range of commercial matters including, drafting and negotiating construction, technology and professional services contracts, advising on the operation of the Agency, procurement, insurance, health and safety, and privacy and information law.

You will be an innovative thinker who thinks beyond the issue at hand and can set a clear strategic direction for the Agency while providing solution-focused pragmatic advice. You will proactively identify legal risks and assist in the management of those risks, demonstrate an aptitude to focus on the important stuff, and be comfortable operating in a complex environment.

This role operates within a multi-faceted organisation performing a number of functions, with a range of subject matter experts across the business and externally. Your exceptional communications skills will help to build strong relationships stakeholders of all levels.

We are a high performing team with a great culture working in a flexible environment. We're focused on our wellbeing and development and like to have fun and laugh. We welcome anyone looking for a new challenge who wants to be part of a large collaborative team.

Ko koe tēnei | About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Experience in managing many of the commercial legal work in a complex environment
• An understanding of the public and administrative law overlay that applies to a crown entity
• 5+ years post-qualification experience
• Innovative thinking that looks beyond the issue at hand and sets a clear strategic direction for the Agency and provide solution-focused advice
• The ability to connect effectively with colleagues in an environment where there is overlap between the work that the teams do
• A growth mindset and collaborative working style
• A strong customer-focus
• An ability to provide proactive and solution-focused advice that is simple, pragmatic and practical
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills
• A tertiary law qualification
• A current New Zealand Law Society Practising Certificate

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.

Ko wai mātou | About us
At NZTA | Waka Kotahi it all starts with our people. Our performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. NZTA | Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.

Along with our other benefits we also have new Waka Kotahi Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for permanent employees.

View the Position Description.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: 6 August 2024

For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

NZTA| Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.