Job Description
Senior Legal Counsel (Employment), 7+ years’ PQE
- Permanent role with flexible location within the Wellington, Hawke’s Bay or Manawatu-Whanganui regions
- Diverse range of interesting and exciting work
- Supportive team environment
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior employment lawyer to join the in-house employment team of one of New Zealand’s largest national organisations. This position could be based in Wellington or in any of the main centres from within the Wellington, Hawke’s Bay or Manawatu-Whanganui regions (e.g. Porirua, Paraparaumu, Hutt Valley, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Napier, Hastings etc).
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role
You will be joining a busy and collegial team, providing specialised advice and representation across a full range of employment issues. Your work will include contentious and non-contentious matters, spanning the full spectrum of employment law, industrial relations, health and safety, personal grievances, change management and more.
Given the size of the organisation, the role offers exposure to complex and challenging legal issues and genuinely engaging and meaningful work.
Ko koe tēnei | About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- A Bachelor of Laws and a current practising certificate (or eligibility to get one)
- 7+ years PQE in employment law (experience in industrial relations and health and safety is beneficial)
- Mediation experience and experience representing clients before the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court
- Sound judgement, a problem-solving mindset, and the ability to provide pragmatic advice/actionable solutions
- The ability to work autonomously
- Strong relationship-building skills, including the ability to establish productive relationships with senior leaders, and the ability to constructively engage with relevant stakeholders across the public and private sectors, and the wider community
- An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies to your role
Previous in-house experience, experience advising large multifaceted clients, and/or experience working in a unionised environment would also be a plus.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
To apply, click the 'Apply' button, and submit your tailored CV. Alternatively, for more information and a confidential discussion about this position please contact Katy Elliott on 021 483 490 (katy.elliott@nicherecruitment.co.nz).
Please note: Our offices will be closed until 14 January 2026. We will respond to applications received prior to 14 January upon our return.