Senior Solicitor | Commercial

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

MBIE is seeking a Senior Solicitor in Wellington to provide pragmatic commercial legal advice across broad MBIE portfolios. You will draft, review and negotiate contracts, advise on funding, ICT and All of Government arrangements, and support senior stakeholders.

You will lead complex matters, mentor other team members and build strong client relationships while delivering high-quality, timely guidance in a fast-paced public service environment.

Qualifications

• Tertiary law qualification and practising certificate.
• Seven-plus years' post-qualification experience.
• Experience advising on general commercial contracts (funding/ICT; banking/finance desirable).
• Strong written and verbal communication and client relationship skills.
• Ability to lead complex and novel assignments and coach others.

Responsibilities

• Provide pragmatic commercial legal advice across MBIE portfolios.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts including funding, ICT and All of Government arrangements.
• Advise on tendering processes and associated risks.
• Manage client and stakeholder relationships across levels.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Contract negotiation

Funding/ICT experience

Stakeholder management

Legal advisory

Education

Law degree

Practising certificate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Discover a career with purpose at MBIEDiscover a career with purpose at MBIEWellington CentralPermanent RoleCommercial legal advisory and contracting experienceBusy stimulating role with a high degree of client interaction and autonomyProvision of pragmatic, solutions-focussed commercial legal advice across a broad range of issues and contracts (including funding, ICT and All of Government arrangements)Strong client and stakeholder relationship skills and a genuine interest in understanding and supporting our clientsAbout the Role - Tenei turanga:MBIE's Legal, Ethics and Privacy Branch (LEAP) is responsible for providing a centre of legal leadership and expertise for MBIE and is an exemplar of best practice for the public service.We are one of the largest in-house legal teams in the public sector, so if you are looking to enhance your legal skills and knowledge then this is a great opportunity to join our Commercial Legal team as a Senior Solicitor.Our Commercial Legal Team provides legal advice on a wide range of commercial transactions across all of MBIE's diverse portfolios. Our work includes preparing, reviewing and negotiating contracts; advising on competitive tendering processes; and providing legal support and advice on key legal risks. Like the rest of the LEAP branch, we pride ourselves on having a solution focussed and pragmatic approach and making an important contribution to MBIE's goal of growing New Zealand for all.To thrive in this role, you will be highly regarded for your expertise and ability to consistently provide timely, high quality, pragmatic and accurate advice on a range of commercial transactions and issues including funding, ICT and All of Government contracting. You will have a broad mix of commercial legal experience including advising on, drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts. You will enjoy collaborating with others and be capable of quickly establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and other stakeholders at all levels.This role offers exposure to a wide-range of subject matter and challenging and interesting and often novel work. We will proactively support your development through on-the-job learning and training opportunities.Nga pukenga me nga wheako e hiahiatia ana -Skills and Experience RequiredWe are interested to hear from candidates with a positive can-do attitude, a willingness to build and share knowledge and be comfortable working in a dynamic and fast paced environment. Further to this you will have the following:A tertiary qualification in law and a current practising certificate (or be eligible to obtain one).Seven-plus years' post-qualification experienceExperience in the provision of general commercial contract advice (ideally including funding and/or ICT experience, with some banking and finance experience being desirable but not essential)Sound legal technical skills and an understanding of the mechanisms of government or a desire to learn them.A pragmatic and solution-focussed way of working.Well-developed written and verbal communication skills which allow you to effectively convey key messages to people at all levels and to simplify complex issues as suitable to the audience.Exceptional customer service, with effective relationship management skills and the ability to work with stakeholders at all levels of seniority.The ability to lead often complex and novel assignments.A desire to work collaboratively across the team and to coach and mentor other team members.The legal right to live and work in New Zealand.About MBIE - Etahi korero mo MBIE:MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.Mahi Tahi - Better TogetherMaia - Bold and bravePae Kahurangi - Build our FuturePono Me Te Tika - Own ItOur aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Maori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.E mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahunga roa o nga iwi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapa kua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.How to Apply - Me pehea te tono:Click here to view a position description.When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.All applications must be submitted via our online process.Email [e-mail] quoting ref MBIE/19860 if you have any further questions.Applications close on 6 September 2026