Client Meeting with Lion (Carl & Meilin)
Lion unsuccessful in search, coming to us on an exclusive basis. They have also advertised themselves.
When would they want someone?
- Want to interview someone before Xmas
- But thinks its unrealistic to start work before Xmas
This role will be partnering with the procurement team between NZ and Australia. Heavy contracts part of the role, but they get to work across NZ and Australia. Project work as well (guidance/support), group procurement.
Salary band: $130-$150k. $160k is the top of the top.
Other benefits:
- $16,500 car allowance – paid per month – you can get it even if you don’t drive.
- 15% bonus (30% individual performance KPI [achievable and can even earn more], development programme, 70% is company performance [can get more than 70% if the company does well].
- Product allowance (free beer, wine and coffee)
- Corporate discounts
- But no parking space
They’re happy to see someone who has slightly higher salary expectations, but probably can’t go too high.
They will send through a list of who not to go to.
Do a blind ad – mention business once we’ve got the right people.
Key period is over Dec/January – when a lot of their products sell. Marcus will be in Japan over this time.
Senior Legal Counsel Role Requirements:
- Operating as a Trans-Tasman unit.
- Separated two group roles – this one supports group procurement and IT functions
- Eg negotiating a renewal with their HOP supplier in Australia, manufacture with someone in Australia etc.
- If they got the right person, because it’s just a deals lawyer, they don't need to be Australian or NZ-qualified - they just have to be here in Auckland office
- 5-6 years’ PQE
- Experience in negotiating, commercial contracts lawyer, procurement experience, really comfortable managing deals from pitch to execution
- Comfortable managing and engaging with senior stakeholders – navigate and influence internally as well
- Because it’s Trans-Tasman, the deals are more $$$ than if it was purely NZ
- This role is more concerned about where they’ve ended up rather than where they started
Role Fit:
- Need to have good soft skills as well
- More important that they can engage with a key business leader than with other lawyers
- Advantage if they have more of a business background than law even
Job Specifics
- Primarily based in Auckland – 3 days in office/2 days home (either a Mon/Fri in the office)
- As long as they can accommodate that, that’s fine if they live outside of AUckland.
- Not a lot of travel to Australia – broader Lion team in Sydney, but not a lot of travel for the role.
- Opportunities in Australia as well + succession.
- Chances to go elsewhere (but legal team is small so not necessarily a lot of growth upwards within NZ legal team unless someone else moves on)
- Great learning opportunities from senior leaders
- Pragmatic commercial lawyers is better than drafting clauses lawyers