Senior Legal Counsel

Sharp & Carter; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp & Carter is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join a well-established finance business in a broad, commercially focused in-house capacity. You will partner closely with the business to manage contractual risk, support commercial transactions and advise on financial services regulatory matters.

The role requires a minimum of 6 years' post-qualification experience in commercial contracting, with in-house or reputable firm exposure.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of PQE in commercial contracting
• In-house or reputable commercial law firm experience
• Exposure to financial services or regulated environments is advantageous
• Strong stakeholder management and autonomous work style

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements including vendor, distribution, services and operational contracts
• Advise on day-to-day corporate, commercial and business matters
• Provide pragmatic guidance on risk allocation and contract structuring
• Partner with internal stakeholders across finance, operations and compliance
• Advise on applicable financial services regulatory obligations (including consumer credit and licensing)
• Support regulator engagement and licence maintenance where required
• Contribute to governance frameworks and internal policy development

Skills

Commercial contracting

Stakeholder management

Regulatory awareness

Autonomy

Innovation

Education

Law degree

Job description

Our client is a well-established and growing finance business operating within a national dealer and customer network. As part of a broader international group, the organisation provides tailored finance and insurance solutions across Australia and New Zealand.

The business operates in a regulated environment but maintains a pragmatic, commercially driven culture with a lean structure and strong executive access.

About the Role

An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Legal Counsel to join the business in a broad, commercially focused in-house role. This position will suit a strong commercial lawyer who enjoys partnering closely with the business, managing contractual risk and influencing commercial outcomes.

While the organisation operates within a regulated financial services framework, this is not a purely compliance-driven role. The successful candidate will play a key part in supporting commercial transactions, vendor relationships, operational agreements and business strategy, alongside advising on financial services regulatory matters.

The business is open to lawyers with a solid commercial background who have exposure to - or a genuine interest in developing deeper experience within - financial services and consumer credit.

Key Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements including vendor, distribution, services and operational contracts
• Advising on day-to-day corporate, commercial and business matters
• Providing pragmatic advice on risk allocation and contract structuring
• Partnering with internal stakeholders across finance, operations and compliance
• Advising on applicable financial services regulatory obligations (including consumer credit and licensing frameworks)
• Supporting regulator engagement and licence maintenance where required
• Contributing to governance frameworks and internal policy development

About You

• 6 years + PQE with a strong commercial contracting background
• Experience in-house or at a reputable commercial law firm
• Exposure to financial services, consumer credit or regulated environments is advantageous but not essential
• Commercially astute with strong stakeholder management capability
• Comfortable operating autonomously within a lean team
• Interest in working within a regulated business environment
• Strong on system improvements and innovation

Why Apply

This is a genuine opportunity to step into a broad commercial in-house role with exposure to financial services, offering autonomy, senior stakeholder access and the ability to influence business outcomes. The position would suit a commercially minded lawyer looking to expand their capability within a regulated but business-focused environment.