Senior Legal Counsel

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Great Place to Work certification

Family Inclusive Workplace

Learning & development pathways

Flexible work arrangements

Diversity & inclusion focus

Job summary

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) seeks an experienced in-house lawyer to join its high-performing team in Sydney. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, you will provide pragmatic, commercially-focused advice on complex commercial, regulatory and governance matters across AU/NZ and key markets.

The role emphasizes contract drafting/negotiation, privacy/compliance and strategic support to enable innovation while protecting the organisation’s reputation and assets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE in corporate/commercial law or in-house counsel
• Law degree (LLB/JD) and NSW practising certificate
• Strong corporate/commercial law expertise, including governance and regulatory compliance
• Experience with cross-border privacy compliance (GDPR, Corporations Act)
• Understanding of Australian and New Zealand regulatory landscape
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to balance risk with objectives
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical legal advice on complex commercial, regulatory and governance matters
• Draft, review and negotiate complex agreements and support strategic initiatives across AU/NZ and other markets
• Identify and manage legal risk while enabling innovation and growth
• Advise on privacy, consumer law, IP, governance, litigation, digital and technology initiatives
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and influence outcomes across a diverse organisation
• Support management of external counsel and delivery of high-quality services
• Monitor regulatory developments and provide strategic insights
• Improve legal delivery through innovation, knowledge sharing and process improvement

Skills

PQE 5+ years

NSW Solicitor

Contracts & Negotiation

Privacy compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Commercial judgement

Stakeholder mgmt

Autonomy

Adaptable

Knowledge sharing

Education

Law degree (LLB/JD)

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join the high-performing and collaborative in-house legal team at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, you’ll provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice that enables the organisation to achieve its strategic objectives while protecting its reputation, assets and brands.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide clear, practical legal advice on complex commercial, regulatory and governance matters
• Draft, review and negotiate complex agreements and support strategic initiatives across Australia, New Zealand and other key markets
• Identify and manage legal risk while enabling innovation, growth and informed commercial decision‑making
• Advise on privacy, consumer law, intellectual property, governance, litigation, digital and technology initiatives, and professional standards
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and influence outcomes across a diverse and complex organisation
• Support the management of external counsel and support the efficient delivery of high-quality legal services
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and provide strategic insights to the organisation
• Improve how legal support is delivered through innovation, technology, knowledge sharing and process improvement

ABOUT YOU

You’re a commercially minded and solutions-focused legal professional who can turn complex legal issues into clear, practical advice. You’ll bring:

• 5+ years of post-qualification experience gained within a leading corporate or commercial law firm and/or a comparable in-house role
• A law degree, LLB or JD, and admission as a solicitor in NSW with a current Practising Certificate, ideally without a supervision condition
• Strong corporate and commercial law expertise, including contract drafting, negotiation, governance and regulatory compliance
• Experience with cross-border privacy compliance, including GDPR, Corporations Act matters and broader regulatory issues
• An understanding of the Australian and New Zealand regulatory landscape
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance legal risk with organisational objectives
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• The ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive and adaptable approach, with a commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing

ABOUT US

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) represent more than 140,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference in the communities in which they work and live. We are committed to advancing the profession through high ethical standards, delivering world class services and education, and advocating for the public good. Guided by our purpose and values, we aspire to be a magnet for diverse talent, equip our members for success, and lead the way in sustainability, innovation, and trust in business and finance.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

At CA ANZ, we’re committed to fostering a workplace that reflects our values of collaboration, integrity, diversity and accountability. As part of our ambition to attract diverse talent and build an adaptive, member centric organisation, we’re proud to be certified as both a Great Place to Work and Family Inclusive Workplace reflecting the genuine experiences of our people.

We actively support your work-life wellbeing through leading policies and practices, including flexible work arrangements, parental leave and carer support, helping you thrive both at work and at home.

In addition, you’ll enjoy:

• A strong focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion embedded in everything we do
• Opportunities to grow your career through inspiring learning and development pathways
• A flexible hybrid work model that balances autonomy with the benefits of in-person collaboration
• A culture that values your voice and empowers you to make an impact in your community and profession
• Work for a certified Great Place to Work (global recognition based on anonymous feedback from our people)
• The chance to contribute to meaningful work that creates real impact for people across Aotearoa and Australia, and wherever our members work

CA ANZ welcomes applications from people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Māori, Pasifika, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, and people who are diverse in gender and sexuality.

Applications close Friday 6 November.