In-House Commercial Counsel – APAC Engineering

D2 Process Ltd; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

D2 Group, a specialist engineering group, is creating its first in-house legal role in Hamilton. You will lead commercial contracting, govern standard terms, and advise on risk before project signatures.

You will report to the Group Managing Director and work alongside the CFO as the sole legal resource for the Group, with external counsel available as needed. Hybrid flexibility and travel to APAC sites are expected.

Qualifications

• Real strength in commercial contracts — you have negotiated them, not just reviewed them.
• Admitted in New Zealand with a current practising certificate.
• Exposure to construction or engineering contracts; knowledge of NZS 3910, FIDIC or AS 4902 is a significant advantage.
• Able to explain a legal position to an engineer in a single paragraph.

Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate and improve contracts across three jurisdictions — head contracts, subcontracts, supply and equipment agreements, consultancy agreements and NDAs.
• Own our standard terms and template suite and drive adoption.
• Act as the risk gate in tender and bid reviews: assess risk, cost and push back where needed.
• Work with project teams to maintain contract administration: notices, variations, extensions of time, claims.
• Advise on live commercial questions: security of payment, retentions, liability caps, insurance and IP in process design.
• Manage external counsel: scope tightly, brief well, and control spend.
• Support disputes with specialist advisers when they arise.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Contract negotiation

Risk assessment

Legal communication

Standalone lawyer

Education

NZ legal qualification and practising certificate

Job description

D2 Group, a specialist engineering group, is creating its first in-house legal role in Hamilton. You will lead commercial contracting, govern standard terms, and advise on risk before project signatures.

You will report to the Group Managing Director and work alongside the CFO as the sole legal resource for the Group, with external counsel available as needed. Hybrid flexibility and travel to APAC sites are expected.