Legal Services Lead

Tiaki Wai; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 141,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working up to 2 days fromhome

Wellbeing programme

Professional development

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai in Wellington seeks a senior Commercial Legal Lead to establish a new legal function. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will lead strategic legal advice across major projects, contracts and partnerships.

Based in Petone with flexible working, the role is full-time (40 hours/week) with a mid-point salary around $166,357 (KiwiSaver). Applications close 8 October 2026; NZ admission and practising certificate are required.

Qualifications

• Must be admitted as a NZ Barrister & Solicitor with a current practising certificate.
• Significant post-qualification experience in complex commercial and contractual matters.
• Proven ability to draft, negotiate and manage high‑value contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of commercial and contractual legal services across major projects, procurement activities, operational arrangements and strategic partnerships.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of contracts and procurement documents.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior leaders on business initiatives and major decisions.
• Identify, assess and manage legal and contractual risks with practical, commerically-focused solutions.
• Build organisational capability through frameworks, guidance, training and best-practice contract risk management.

Skills

Commercial legal advisory

Senior leadership

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Education

Admission as Barrister & Solicitor (NZ)

Current practising certificate

Job description

• Lead complex commercial legal work on critical projects and partnerships
• Trusted advisor to leaders on strategic legal and commercial matters
• Petone based, flexible working

This is a full time, permanent position of 40 hours per week

The mid-point in the salary range for this role is $166,357 (including KiwiSaver) depending on skills and experience.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Legal Services Lead to help establish our new Legal function. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will play a key leadership role in providing expert legal advice across complex commercial, contractual and strategic matters that support organisational priorities and major projects.

Role

This is an opportunity partner with leaders, influence decision-making, manage legal risk, and deliver practical solutions that enable business outcomes. In the role you will:

• Lead the delivery of commercial and contractual legal services across major projects, procurement activities, operational arrangements and strategic partnerships.
• Draft, review, negotiate and advise on a broad range of complex contracts, commercial agreements and procurement documentation.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior leaders on significant business initiatives, organisational change programmes and key commercial decisions.
• Identify and manage legal and contractual risks, delivering practical and commercially focused solutions that support organisational objectives.
• Build organisational capability by developing frameworks, guidance, training and best-practice approaches to contract management and legal risk management.

About You

This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior commercial lawyer to work for an organisation where you can make a meaningful impact. To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practising certificate.
• At least 10 years' post-qualification experience, including significant experience advising on complex commercial and contractual matters.
• Proven expertise in drafting, negotiating and managing high-value contracts and commercial arrangements.
• Strong experience partnering with senior leaders and providing strategic, risk-based legal advice in a complex organisation.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence, mentor and build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our Benefits Include

• Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home
• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
• Formal and informal professional development opportunities
• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

For a full list of our employee benefits click here.

About Us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: Thursday 8 October 2026.

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.