Senior Legal Counsel

Australian Ethical; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Ethical is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel in Sydney, Australia, for a full-time, permanent role reporting to the General Counsel. You will provide strategic, commercially focused legal advice across our superannuation and managed funds operations, supporting governance and management of diverse product structures including domestic and international offerings.

You will work with stakeholders to address regulatory matters, product development, disclosure obligations and commercial

Qualifications

• You are an experienced senior financial services lawyer with deep expertise in superannuation and managed funds.
• Strong understanding of Corporations Act 2001 and regulatory guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to business stakeholders, identifying risks and supporting informed decision making.
• Draft, review and negotiate complex legal documentation, including commercial agreements, disclosure documents and product distribution arrangements to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Advise on establishment, development and ongoing management of Managed Investment Schemes, ETFs and Superannuation products.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments across managed funds, superannuation and listed entities, advising on business implications and investors best interests.
• Manage relationships with external legal advisers, ensuring effective and cost-conscious requirements.
• Review Board and committee papers, providing advice on legal, regulatory and governance requirements.
• Contribute to strategic projects, product initiatives and continuous improvement across the business.

Job description

Australian Ethical is one of Australia’s fastest-growing super fund and ethical investment managers. We are ASX-listed with over $14 billion in funds under management and offer a selection of award-winning managed funds and superannuation products.

Our purpose is to invest for a better world, and we have been pioneers in this space for almost 40 years. For us, investing has two aims – generating solid financial returns and a positive impact for people, planet, and animals. At Australian Ethical, we prove that money can be a force for good. We do this by staying true to our purpose, which is embedded throughout our organisation and drives our everyday activities as a business, investor, brand, employer, and corporate citizen. We’re a registered B Corp and fully committed to an inclusive, equitable and forward-thinking workplace culture.

Your new role

As Senior Legal Counsel, in this full time, permanent role, you’ll provide strategic, commercially focused legal advice across Australian Ethical’s superannuation and managed funds operations. Reporting to the General Counsel, you’ll play a key role in supporting the development, governance and management of a diverse portfolio of superannuation, pension, investment products and fund structures including domestic and international offerings.

Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you’ll advise on complex regulatory matters, product development, disclosure obligations and commercial transactions. You’ll also support key strategic initiatives, helping the business navigate an evolving regulatory environment while delivering strong commercial and member outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to business stakeholders, identifying risks and supporting informed decision making.
• Draft, review and negotiate complex legal documentation, including commercial agreements, disclosure documents and product distribution arrangements to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Advise on establishment, development and ongoing management of Managed Investment Schemes, ETFs and Superannuation products.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments across managed funds, superannuation and listed entities, advising on business implications and investors best interests.
• Manage relationships with external legal advisers, ensuring effective and cost-conscious requirements.
• Review Board and committee papers, providing advice on legal, regulatory and governance requirements.
• Contribute to strategic projects, product initiatives and continuous improvement across the business.

What we’re looking for:

• You’re an experienced senior financial services lawyer with deep expertise in superannuation, managed funds and financial services regulation.
• You combine strong technical legal knowledge with commercial judgement and a pragmatic approach to solving complex problems.
• You’re confident providing independent advice, influencing stakeholders and navigating competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• You’ll bring a collaborative mindset, excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in ethical and responsible investing.

If you bring the following, we’d love to hear from you:

• A law degree and current Australian practising certificate
• At least 10 years’ experience within financial services, gained in private practise or an in-house legal function
• Strong working knowledge of the Corporations Act 2001, particularly chapters 6 and 7, the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and regulatory/prudential guidance.
• Demonstrated experience advising on managed funds, ETF’s, superannuation products and associated regulatory obligations.
• A sound understanding of the responsibilities of superannuation trustees and responsible entities, including governance, conflicts management and related-party arrangements.
• Experience structuring and managing Managed Investment Schemes, including exposure to domestic and international jurisdictions.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical skills and the ability to translate complex legal matters into clear, practical advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a small legal team.
• A commitment to responsible investing, and alignment with and demonstration of our values of Action, Authenticity, Empathy, Curiosity and Connection

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