Legal Counsel (Intermediate or Senior)

Meridian Energy; Wellington; Sur place; NZD 150 000 - 230 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary package

Healthcare - Southern Cross

Enhanced leave

Life and income protection insurance

KiwiSaver enhancements

Learning and development

Wellbeing programme

Employee power discounts

Résumé du poste

Meridian Energy in Wellington, NZ, seeks an experienced Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel to advise across contracts, governance, regulatory matters and strategy. You will work within the Office of the CEO with broad exposure and influence on major projects and risk management.

The role requires 4–8 years in corporate law or in-house practice, a NZ LLB and practising certificate, and strong commercial judgement.

Qualifications

• NZ LLB and practising certificate required.
• 4–8 years' experience in corporate law or in-house legal team.
• Strong commercial judgement with ability to balance risk and business outcomes.
• Independent worker who stays connected to the team.
• Excellent communication and collaborative mindset.
• Experience or interest in energy sector a plus.

Responsabilités

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Provide pragmatic legal advice balancing risk and commercial outcomes.
• Support governance and company secretarial responsibilities, including NZX/ASX obligations.
• Monitor regulatory and policy developments and assist submissions.
• Build relationships across the business to navigate complex issues.
• Deliver training and guidance on legal, regulatory and compliance matters.
• Manage external legal providers and contribute to process improvements.

Connaissances

Corporate law

Commercial judgement

Negotiation

Communication

Independent work

Relationship-building

Energy sector (bonus)

Formation

New Zealand LLB and practising certificate

Description du poste

Company Description

Mai te hiku ki te taurapa, whitikana e te r ā From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun

Thiswhakataukīspeaks to our journey across Aotearoa, one waka, one purpose, powered by the natural forces that sustain us. Meridian is Aotearoa’s largest renewable electricity producer, generating energy from the winds ofTāwhirimātea, the waters of Tangaroa, and the warmth of Tama-nui-te-rā.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel, you’ll be a trusted advisor to the business, helping connect legal insight with commercial decision-making. Sitting within the Office of the CEO, this role gives you broad exposure across Meridian — from supporting major contracts and projects through to regulatory, governance, and public policy matters. This is a role that can flex with your experience. You might be stepping up into more complex work or already operating at a senior level and looking to have greater influence. Either way, you’ll work across the business to navigate risk, enable good decisions, and support Meridian’s strategy.

Āu mahi | What you’ll be doing

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and arrangements.
• Provide pragmatic legal advice that considers both risk and commercial outcomes.
• Support governance and company secretarial responsibilities, including NZX and ASX obligations.
• Stay across regulatory and policy developments, supporting submissions where needed.
• Build strong relationships across the business, helping teams navigate complex issues.
• Deliver training and guidance on legal, regulatory and compliance matters.
• Manage external legal providers and contribute to continuous improvement in how we deliver legal support.

Ngā pukenga kei a koe mŌ tēnei tūranga | What you’ll bring

• Experience in a corporate law firm or in-house legal team (between 4 – 8 years or equivalent depth of experience).
• A New Zealand LLB and practising certificate (or ability to practise in NZ).
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance risk with business outcomes.
• Confidence working independently while staying connected to the wider team.
• Excellent communication skills, able to make complex issues simple and practical.
• A collaborative approach and strong relationship-building skills.
• Bonus: experience in property, construction, or the energy sector.

Ngā painga ki a mātou | What we can offer

• An attractive and competitive salary packagethat’sreviewed annually, plus discounts fromseveralpartnership.
• Southern Cross Healthcare - Wellbeing one insurance, funded scheme for eligible employees to give you that extra peace of mind.
• Enhanced leave provisions: three company paid days (over the holiday period), enhanced parentalleaveand options to buy up to 12 daysadditionalleave.
• Life,traumaand income protection insurance (which we hope youwon’tneed!)
• Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities, we want you to be the best version of yourself and will help you get there!
• Award winning wellbeing programme that provides support whenever and wherever you need it.
• Employee discounts off your power with Meridian, every bit counts.

He aha koe i hono mai ai ki a mātou? | Why join us?

We’rea great placeto work with plenty of opportunities and career development for those that want it. We value and live by three ‘How to Be’s’: ‘be gutsy’,working together by ‘being in the waka’ and doing the right thing by ‘being a good human’.

Location –

Wellington (preferred) but Christchurch will be considered for the right candidate.