General Counsel – Global Markets

Artemis Executive Recruitment Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Fonterra is seeking an experienced General Counsel – Global Markets to join its Auckland-based Legal Leadership Team. You will lead 5 lawyers, delivering strategic, commercial legal advice to senior management worldwide and overseeing significant contracts, regulatory matters and disputes.

You will shape the direction of legal risk management across NZ, Singapore, the Middle East, Europe and the United States while developing the team and partnering with the business to drive growth and

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with NZ practising certificate and 15+ years' legal experience.
• Proven ability to provide strategic legal advice across multiple industries.
• Strong influencing skills and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead 5 direct report lawyers supporting Global Markets and Growth & Strategy.
• Provide strategic commercial legal advice to senior management across NZ, Singapore, Middle East, Europe and the US.
• Manage legal risk while enabling commercial outcomes and governance across global operations.

Skills

Executive presence

Strategic advisory

Global cross-border leadership

Legal risk management

High pace environment

Excellent communication

Education

New Zealand practising certificate

Job description

About the role

Due to an internal move, Fonterra is seeking an experienced General Counsel – Global Markets to join its Auckland-based Legal Leadership Team.

Reporting to the Director of Legal, you will lead 5 direct report lawyers supporting Fonterra’s Global Markets and Growth and Strategy business units. This is a broad and influential role providing strategic and commercial legal advice to senior management working out of New Zealand, Singapore, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. You will be advising on all aspects of the business including key projects, strategic customer contracts, regulatory and liability matters, critical events, disputes and litigation. You will work closely with the business to manage legal risk while enabling commercial outcomes across Fonterra’s global operations.

You will also provide leadership to an experienced team based in Aotearoa New Zealand and the United States, helping shape the direction and performance of the wider legal function. Fonterra places a strong emphasis on collaboration, high performance and developing its people, making this an opportunity to combine sophisticated legal work with genuine people leadership and strategic influence.

What we’re looking for

• An experienced qualified lawyer with at least 15 years’ relevant legal experience with a current New Zealand practising certificate, or eligibility to obtain one
• A combination of private practice and in-house experience working across multiple industries and jurisdictions
• Ability to operate at pace and in a global environment
• Expert knowledge of general business law and extensive experience providing strategic legal advice
• Highly developed influencing skills and strong executive presence
• Proven people leadership experience and strong commercial judgement with the ability to manage risk while driving business outcomes
• The confidence to operate autonomously while remaining closely aligned with the business
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

About the company

Fonterra is a New Zealand dairy co-operative with a significant international footprint, connecting its products and ingredients with customers and markets around the world.

This role sits within a collaborative and high-performing environment where legal is closely connected to the business and plays an important role in supporting strategic and commercial decision-making. Fonterra’s culture is underpinned by Good Together, Better Every Day and Every Drop Counts, with a strong focus on collaboration, transformation and performance.

For a senior lawyer looking to combine global complexity, leadership and meaningful commercial influence, this is a rare opportunity to play a key role within one of New Zealand’s most recognised organisations.

Application Close Date: 30 September 2026

Kathryn Cross BMus LLB

027 700 8049 | [e-mail]

Artemis Executive Recruitment is committed to creating inclusive and respectful workplaces. We value diversity as a strength and welcome applicants that can help bring a difference to our client organisations.

At Artemis Executive Recruitment, we connect remarkable people with great places to work.