In-House Legal Counsel | Home Electrification

Smart Energy; Byron Bay; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart Energy is seeking an in-house Legal Counsel to shape commercial and consumer‑law decisions across our national Australian operations. Based in Sydney or Byron Bay, you’ll report to the Executive Leadership Team and collaborate with our in‑house lawyer and Compliance Manager to manage risk and enable practical business outcomes.

Your focus will be Australian Consumer Law, contract risk, warranties, and commercial disputes, translating complex legal concepts into clear guidance for teams.

Qualifications

• Admission to the Australian legal profession.
• Current NSW Practising Certificate.
• At least 2 years PQE in relevant legal practice.
• Completion of supervised legal practice requirements with certificate condition removed.
• Strong Australian Consumer Law expertise, including consumer guarantees, product liability, warranty disputes.

Responsibilities

• Advise ELT and teams on commercial and consumer law matters, identifying risks and next steps.
• Provide consumer law guidance on Australian Consumer Law, consumer guarantees and warranty obligations.
• Manage customer disputes: assess claims, review evidence, draft legal correspondence, and support negotiations.
• Support disputes resolution with practical guidance and negotiations to achieve fair outcomes.
• Draft, review and negotiate residential and commercial terms and supplier agreements.
• Collaborate with Compliance Manager to identify risks and implement improvements.
• Keep leadership informed on legal matters and potential exposure.
• Develop legal templates and maintain contract records and processes.
• Monitor regulatory developments and implement required changes.

Skills

Commercial judgement

Negotiation

Legal drafting

Dispute resolution

Clear communication

Education

Australian legal profession admission

NSW Practising Certificate

2+ years PQE

Supervised practice requirements completed

Australian Consumer Law expertise

Job description

Bring your legal expertise. Influence decisions. Help power Australia’s energy future.

Looking for an in-house opportunity where your advice shapes decisions and your work has a direct impact?

At Smart Energy, we’re helping Australians unlock their home’s potential through solar, batteries, hot water heat pumps, EV chargers and more. Backed by Rinnai Australia, we’re building the future of home electrification -and we need great people to help drive it.

We’re looking for a proactive In-House Legal Counsel with strong commercial and consumer law experience to provide practical legal advice across our national business.

From navigating customer disputes to strengthening commercial agreements, you’ll help our teams manage risk, make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.

The Opportunity

Based in Sydney or Byron Bay HQs and reporting directly to our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), you’ll take ownership of day-to-day legal matters, working closely with our Smart Energy / Rinnai in-house lawyer and alongside our Compliance Manager.

Your work will focus on Australian Consumer Law, commercial disputes, warranty matters and contract risk, translating complex legal issues into clear, commercially sound advice.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys responsibility, builds strong working relationships and balances legal obligations with practical business outcomes.

What You'll Do

• Provide practical legal advice: Advise the ELT and teams across Smart Energy on commercial and consumer law matters, identifying risks and recommending clear next steps.
• Provide consumer law guidance: Advise on Australian Consumer Law, consumer guarantees and warranty obligations to support compliance and a positive customer experience."
• Manage customer disputes: Assess claims, review evidence, prepare legal correspondence and support negotiations to resolve complaints and warranty disputes.
• Support dispute resolution: Provide practical legal guidance, review relevant information and assist with correspondence and negotiations to achieve fair and constructive outcomes.
• Support contracts and supplier arrangements: Draft, review and negotiate residential and commercial terms and conditions, supplier agreements and other business contracts.
• Work alongside compliance: Partner with our Compliance Manager to identify legal risks, establish priorities and implement practical improvements.
• Keep leadership informed: Provide clear updates on legal matters, potential exposure and decisions requiring ELT input.
• Improve policies and systems: Develop legal templates, maintain contract records and strengthen processes that support consistent, compliant operations.
• Support regulatory readiness: Monitor relevant legal developments and help teams understand and implement required changes.

You Must Have

• Admission to the Australian legal profession.
• A current NSW Practising Certificate authorising you to practise in the role.
• At least 2 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in relevant legal practice.
• Completion of applicable supervised legal practice requirements, with the relevant practising certificate condition removed, enabling you to manage matters without statutory supervision.
• Strong Australian Consumer Law expertise, including consumer guarantees, product liability, warranty disputes and remedies for major and minor failures.
• Relevant commercial law and litigation or dispute resolution experience.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, including customer terms and conditions and supplier agreements.
• Availability to work from our Byron Bay or Sydney office

Experience in renewable energy, construction, electrical services, consumer products or another regulated industry will be highly regarded

Key Skills & Attributes

• Commercial judgement and the ability to provide clear, practical legal advice.
• Confidence in managing legal matters and recognising when specialist advice or escalation is required.
• Strong negotiation, legal drafting and dispute resolution skills.
• The ability to explain complex legal issues to colleagues without a legal background.
• Excellent attention to detail and confidence managing competing priorities.
• A collaborative approach to working with senior leaders, operational teams and external partners.
• A proactive mindset, with a focus on resolving issues and improving how the business operates.

Why Smart Energy?

• Take ownership of meaningful legal work. Manage matters that directly influence customer outcomes, commercial relationships and business decisions
• Work closely with decision-makers. Report directly to the ELT and provide advice that helps shape the direction of a national business
• Broaden your in-house experience. Work across commercial contracts, consumer law, disputes and compliance, collaborating with our Smart Energy / Rinnai in-house lawyer
• Join a collaborative team. Build relationships across the business and work alongside people who value practical solutions and shared success
• Help drive Australia’s energy transition. Contribute to a growing home electrification business backed by Rinnai Australia