Senior Legal Advisor | Kaitohu Ture Matua

Parliamentary Service | Te Ratonga Whare Pāremata

Take ownership of legal advice in an environment unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.

• Genuine breadth, autonomy and influence across commercial and corporate legal matters.
• Primary legal adviser supporting Parliamentary Service.
• Flexible working options available. 

Mō te tūnga | About the role:  

If you're a commercial lawyer looking for more variety, autonomy and the opportunity to see the impact of your advice, this is a rare opportunity to become the primary in-house legal adviser supporting Parliamentary Service.
From major supplier and technology arrangements to property, construction and complex commercial agreements, you'll work across an unusually broad portfolio. You’ll advise on a wide range of legal matters including legislative interpretation and secondary legislation, regulatory frameworks, and statutory functions. You'll be trusted to understand the issue, navigate the legal and commercial risk, and help people find a practical way forward.
This could suit an experienced in-house lawyer, or a commercially focused lawyer in private practice who is ready to step into a role with greater ownership and influence.

• Lead the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial agreements across areas including IT and software, goods and services, property, construction, licensing and other supplier arrangements.
• Partner closely with Procurement on negotiations, renewals, variations and commercial issues.
• Identify legal and commercial risks and help stakeholders understand the practical choices available to them.
• Provide pragmatic advice across commercial, regulatory, statutory, intellectual property, property and related legal matters.
• Help strengthen contracts, templates, policies and processes so good legal and commercial practice is built into the way we work.
• Advise the Parliamentary Service Commission and senior leaders on the legislation that supports members in their parliamentary operations.
• Draft, or supporting the drafting of the Speaker’s Determination, or any amendments to it.
• Advise senior leaders on complex or novel matters, sometimes where there is limited precedent.
• Decide when matters are best handled internally and when specialist external expertise is required.
• Manage relationships with external legal providers and help ensure external legal spend represents good value for public money.
• Keep an eye on emerging legal issues and help the organisation understand what they mean in practice
  
  

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?

• You'll have breadth. You'll work across commercial arrangements, technology, property, procurement, construction and wider legal issues affecting an organisation at the heart of New Zealand's democracy.
• You'll have ownership. As our primary in-house legal adviser, your judgement will matter. You'll have the autonomy to shape how legal services are delivered and where your expertise can add the most value.
• You'll have influence. You'll work closely with Procurement, senior leaders and the wider Parliamentary Law and Practice team, helping shape decisions before they are made rather than simply reviewing them afterwards.
• You'll have the opportunity to improve things. Beyond providing advice, you'll be able to strengthen our contracts, templates, legal processes and ways of working, leaving the organisation with stronger commercial capability.

And you'll do all of this in a workplace with a purpose few organisations can offer: supporting the effective operation of New Zealand's Parliament.

Tō kete | What you will bring to the role:

First and foremost, you'll be a capable commercial lawyer who knows that excellent legal advice isn't just technically correct. It also needs to be clear, proportionate and useful.

• A law degree and current New Zealand Practising Certificate.
• 5+ years post-qualification legal experience, with strong commercial and contract law capability.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Sound judgement and the confidence to operate with a high degree of autonomy.
• An ability to quickly understand complex issues and develop practical, risk-based solutions.
• Strong relationship skills and confidence working with senior and specialist stakeholders.
• An ability to read the room and adapt your advice and communication to your audience.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to challenge constructively when needed.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:

All applications must be submitted online, via Careers at Parliament. If this is not possible, or to arrange a confidential kōrero, please contact Jodie Taylor on Jodie.Taylor@parliament.govt.nz or 021 817 347.

Note: We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview shortly after the advert closes (depending on application numbers, this date may change). 

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process. 

The Parliamentary Service and The Office of the Clerk appoint on merit and are committed to diversity and inclusion and good employer principles. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and value the experience that your point of difference brings.