Inhouse Counsel

Our client is one of New Zealand's most established and trusted corporate brands within the financial services sector. Operating in a highly dynamic and evolving landscape, they provide a diverse range of premium financial products and services, including wealth management, KiwiSaver, insurance, and investment advice.

They are a progressive, people-first organisation that champions a collaborative, supportive, and flexible working environment. Deeply committed to the professional development of their team, they offer a flat structure that encourages autonomy, direct business engagement, and unrestricted career growth.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a mid-career lawyer to transition from private practice or elevate their existing in-house experience within a sophisticated corporate setting.

The Role
For a lawyer with 4+ years of PQE, this role represents a pivotal career step. Moving beyond pure legal execution, the successful candidate will act as a trusted business partner, providing pragmatic, commercially sharp advice directly to senior stakeholders, product teams, and executive leaders.
The position offers a broad, stimulating portfolio of work across financial services regulation, corporate advisory, and commercial contracting.

Regulatory Compliance & Advisory

• Provide clear, actionable advice on complex financial services regulations impacting the wealth management, KiwiSaver, and insurance sectors.
• Monitor and analyse legislative developments, ensuring the organisation's products, distribution channels, and operational processes remain fully compliant with evolving frameworks.
• Engage strategically with key industry regulators, ensuring robust compliance standards are maintained across the business.

Product & Commercial Front-End Advisory

• Partner with product development and marketing teams to advise on the structuring, launching, and distribution of financial products and investment funds.
• Review, draft, and manage disclosure documentation, product disclosure statements (PDS), and customer-facing communications to ensure legal accuracy and regulatory alignment.
• Structure and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including service level agreements, IT/technology procurement, third-party distribution contracts, and outsourcing agreements.

Corporate Governance & Risk Management

• Advise internal business units on corporate governance matters, company law, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify potential legal, operational, and reputational risks across commercial initiatives and proactively design practical solutions to safeguard the business.
• Collaborate with broader risk and compliance teams to ensure alignment on strategic corporate policies.

About You (Selection Criteria)

• Experience: 4+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in corporate, commercial, or financial services law. Experience within a reputable private practice or an in-house legal team is essential.
• Sector Familiarity: Prior exposure to financial services regulation, investment funds, wealth management, or insurance law is highly advantageous, though a strong commercial generalist with an appetite to learn will be considered.
• Commercial Acumen: A straight-down-the-line, practical approach to problem-solving. You understand how to balance strict legal and regulatory compliance with commercial business objectives.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional interpersonal skills. You possess the ability to "translate" complex legal concepts into clear, concise, business-friendly advice for non-legal stakeholders.
• Mindset: A collaborative, down-to-earth team player who thrives in a dynamic environment, possesses strong initiative, and is looking for a long-term professional home with meaningful career progression.

Why Apply?
This role offers the perfect antidote to the rigid hierarchies and billable hour targets of private practice. Joining this corporate team allows a lawyer to gain deep, high-value corporate exposure, true file ownership, and cross-functional business influence. They will benefit from working alongside a highly capable and collaborative legal team, backed by market-leading flexibility, true hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive, growth-focused corporate culture.

Please get in touch to hear more - Lisa Gray E: [email protected] or T: 09 973 5470

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