Senior Legal Counsel - Technology

PwC New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

PwC New Zealand, based in Auckland, seeks a Mid to Senior Legal Counsel – Technology for the Office of the General Counsel. You’ll negotiate complex technology agreements, support bids, and provide pragmatic guidance on privacy and AI-related contracts within the in-house team.

The role requires NZ practising certificate and 6+ years in commercial and technology law, with experience drafting and negotiating major agreements.

Qualifications

• Current NZ legal practising certificate for New Zealand (or eligibility to obtain one).
• 6 years’+ PQE in commercial and technology law (law firm and/or in-house).
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Experience advising on technology-related contracts (e.g. ERP implementations, software licensing or technology managed services).
• Strong stakeholder management across legal, risk and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate complex technology agreements (SI/ERP, SoWs, managed services, SaaS/licensing, MSAs).
• Support bids/tenders and strategic client contracts; help teams land commercially workable outcomes.
• Advise on AI-enabled services and support developing standard AI contracting positions and playbooks.
• Partner with Risk, Procurement on strategic supplier negotiations and vendor risk.
• Provide pragmatic guidance on privacy/data handling in commercial arrangements and support responses to privacy/regulatory change.
• Track and update the firm on legislative and regulatory changes that impact the business with a focus on AI and privacy.
• Respond to ad hoc legal queries across the business with clear, solutions-focused advice.

Skills

Commercial law

Technology law

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Education

NZ legal practising certificate

Job description

At PwC, our purpose is clear: to build trust in society and solve important problems.

This is a place to keep growing. You’ll learn from the best, take on meaningful challenges, and make a lasting impact for our clients, our communities, and Aotearoa.

This Mid to Senior Legal Counsel - Technology inhouse role sits within our Internal Firm Services team - the engine room of PwC New Zealand. Based in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, you’ll join our Office of the General Counsel, a collaborative, close-knit team providing inhouse legal support across the firm.

Your day-to-day could include:

• Negotiate complex technology agreements (SI/ERP, SoWs, managed services, SaaS/licensing, MSAs).
• Support bids/tenders and strategic client contracts; help teams land commercially workable outcomes.
• Advise on AI-enabled services and support developing standard AI contracting positions and playbooks.
• Partner with Risk, Procurement on strategic supplier negotiations and vendor risk.
• Provide pragmatic guidance on privacy/data handling in commercial arrangements and support responses to privacy/regulatory change.
• Track and update the firm on legislative and regulatory changes that impact the business with a focus on AI and privacy.
• Respond to ad hoc legal queries across the business with clear, solutions-focused advice.

Qualifications and core experience

• Current NZ legal practising certificate for New Zealand (or eligibility to obtain one)
• 6 years’+ PQE in commercial and technology law (law firm and/or in-house)
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Technology and commercial capability

• Experience advising on technology-related contracts (e.g. systems integration, ERP implementations, software licensing or technology managed services)
• Confidence supporting large-scale, high-value engagements with multiple stakeholders
• A commercially pragmatic mindset, with the ability to balance legal risk, client relationships and business objectives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility across legal, risk and business teams.

Preferred but not essential

• Experience negotiating AI clauses in AI-enabled contracts.
• Understanding of data privacy and regulatory considerations impacting commercial arrangements.
• Experience supporting agile or hybrid delivery models.
• If you don’t meet every requirement, we still want to hear from you - your skills and potential may be a great fit.
• Rewards - Discretionary bonus opportunities; generous referral bonuses; retail discounts & deals
• Growth - Global network; leadership development; A.I. tools and training; formal learning pathways
• Wellbeing - $250 annual wellbeing allowance; Life & income protection; Sonder/EAP/Headspace; 15 days’ paid sick leave; group-rate health insurance (eligibility applies)
• Reputation - PwC is known for shaping tomorrow. Join us and you’ll accelerate your career while helping clients and communities solve their most important problems.
• Flexibility - Flexible working; supportive coaching culture
• Time off - Two paid recognition days off provided each year during our annual summer shutdown period; purchase up to two extra weeks’ annual leave
• Whānau & community - Paid parental leave for all parents with flexible options and financial planning support; inclusive networks; paid volunteering leave

Mō te aha tāu e tatari ana? / What are you waiting for?

Grow here. Go further.

Nau mai ngā tono wawe / We encourage early applications: This role may close before the listed date if we identify a suitable candidate.

Atamai hangahanga / A.I. usage: Please note that secure, A.I.-enabled tools may support parts of our recruitment process, but all applications are reviewed and decisions made by our people.