Legal & Compliance Manager

Changan Automobile; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Changan Automobile Australia seeks a senior legal and compliance leader to oversee the Australian subsidiary's legal and compliance services and to support matters in New Zealand.

You will provide strategic advice, manage regulatory risk, lead contract work, governance programmes, and interactions with external counsel across cross-functional teams within the business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Law
• Admitted as a lawyer in Australia
• 8+ years of relevant legal and compliance experience; 5 years for outstanding candidates
• Strong knowledge of Australian corporate/commercial law, privacy and data protection, competition and consumer law, employment, trade compliance, customs and product liability
• Fluent written and spoken English; Chinese language proficiency is a plus
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams
• Experience in international groups, multinational company or automotive/manufacturing is preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and compliance services for the Australian subsidiary and support New Zealand matters
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts and manage contract lifecycle
• Monitor laws and regulatory developments in Australia and New Zealand; provide updates and risk assessments
• Support global compliance programmes including privacy, competition, consumer protection, trade controls and employment compliance
• Manage and coordinate litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations with external counsel
• Establish and optimise local legal/compliance processes and risk mitigation
• Provide training and day-to-day legal support to business functions
• Manage relationships with external law firms and other providers and support cost management
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Legal risk management

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Law

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

This position is responsible for leading legal and compliance services and advice for the Australian subsidiary, with additional responsibility for supporting legal and compliance matters in New Zealand. The role provides legal advice and risk management support for business operations, commercial transactions, strategic projects and compliance programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts and other business transaction documents, and manage the contract lifecycle
• Monitor laws, regulations and regulatory developments in Australia and New Zealand, and provide legal updates, risk assessments and compliance recommendations
• Support the implementation of global compliance programmes, including privacy and data protection, competition law, consumer protection, trade compliance, export controls and sanctions, and employment compliance
• Manage and support litigation, arbitration, commercial disputes, employment disputes and regulatory investigations, including coordination with external counsel
• Establish and optimise local legal and compliance processes, identify business risks and support effective risk mitigation
• Provide legal and compliance training and day-to-day legal support to business functions
• Manage relationships with external law firms and other legal service providers, and support effective legal cost management
• Perform other legal and compliance duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Law
• Current Australian legal practising qualification/admission as a lawyer
• At least 8 years of relevant legal and compliance experience; 5 years for outstanding candidates
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in Australian commercial and regulatory laws, particularly corporate/commercial law, privacy and data protection, competition and consumer law, employment, trade compliance, customs and product liability
• Fluent written and spoken English for professional use; Chinese language proficiency is a plus
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and effectively with cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated experience in legal risk management, compliance programme implementation and external counsel management
• Proficiency in legal research databases, legal technology and compliance management tools
• Experience in an international group, multinational company or automotive/manufacturing business is preferred