Senior Solicitor Employment Law

CGR Services; Wellington; On-site; NZD 122,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 3 additional MPI leave days

Ability to purchase extra annual leave

Eye test and contribution to lenses/gl

Bi-annual paid eye test and lens costs

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries seeks a Senior Solicitor – Employment Law to join the Legal Services Directorate within Corporate Services. You will provide high‑quality in‑house advice, build trusted relationships with senior leaders, and lead on complex employment matters across a large public sector organisation.

You will advise, support mediation and proceedings, and collaborate with external providers. A strong track record in employment law and litigation is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant employment law expertise and litigation support experience.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders on complex matters.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in policy, procedures, and workplace investigations.
• Understanding of the public sector and machinery of government.

Responsibilities

• Provide well‑researched, practical, contextual employment law advice.
• Advise senior leaders on complex matters aligned to objectives.
• Lead on employment law issues, risk management and improvements.
• Partner with People Advisory and managers to resolve complex matters.
• Build relationships with managers and external providers.
• Instructing solicitor and provide litigation support in proceedings.
• Support mediation and Employment Relations Authority matters.
• Contribute specialist employment law expertise across business groups.

Skills

Employment law expertise

Litigation support

Advising senior leaders

Relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Law degree required

NZLS Practising Certificate

Job description

Job Title: Senior Solicitor Employment Law Role Type: Fixed Term to September 2028, Full Time or Part Time (minimum of 20 hours/week) Location: Wellington City Salary band & range: GSR C $121,764 to $156,743 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking an experienced Senior Solicitor - Employment Law to join our Legal Services Directorate within Corporate Services. As one of two dedicated employment lawyers at MPI, you will play a critical role in providing high-quality, practical, and timely employment law advice across a large and diverse organisation. This is a rare opportunity to work as an in‑house employment law specialist within government, partnering closely with Legal Services, People Advisory, and leaders across MPI's varied operational environment. This is a challenging and rewarding role suited to an experienced employment law practitioner who thrives and enjoys working on complex matters. You'll provide both advisory and litigation support, with opportunities to attend mediations, support Employment Relations Authority proceedings, and work alongside external advocates and legal providers.

MPI is committed to developing talented people and offers exposure to a broad range of employment law issues affecting staff working in diverse roles throughout NewZealand.

In this role, you will:

• Provide well‑researched, practical, and contextualised employment law advice.
• Advise senior leaders on complex employment matters aligned to organisational objectives.
• Lead on employment law issues, including legal risk management and operational improvements.
• Partner with People Advisory and managers to develop strategies for resolving complex workplace matters.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with managers and external legal providers.
• Act as instructing solicitor and provide litigation support in employment‑related proceedings.
• Support mediation, Employment Relations Authority matters, and other employment disputes.
• Contribute specialist employment law expertise across a wide range of business groups and operational areas.

About You - Mōu

This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your specialist employment law expertise within one of NewZealand's largest and most diverse public sector organisations. You'll be confident working with senior leaders, navigating complex issues, balancing legal risk with practical outcomes, and quickly developing an understanding of MPI's operating environment and strategic objectives.

You bring significant employment law expertise and have a proven track record advising on employment relations matters, policy and procedure, workplace investigations, disputes, and litigation. You will be comfortable operating in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy building trusted relationships and providing pragmatic advice to support sound decision‑making.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Law and a current NZLS Practising Certificate (or ability to obtain one).
• Significant experience providing specialist employment law advice and litigation support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative working style.
• Proven ability to deliver practical, risk‑based legal advice on complex matters.
• Experience advising senior leaders and influencing decision‑making.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Sound judgement, discretion, and strong conflict‑of‑interest management.
• An understanding of the public sector and machinery of government.
• Willingness to occasionally travel outside Wellington as required.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mō tōmātouRōpū

The Legal Services Directorate sits within MPI's Corporate Services branch and provides expert legal support across a diverse range of areas, including employment law, public law, commercial arrangements, emergency responses, prosecutions, litigation, organisational risk management, and legal training. You'll join a highly regarded, collaborative team known for its approachable and supportive culture, working alongside experienced colleagues who are respected experts in their fields. The legal team are seasoned professionals who bring deep expertise, a practical approach, and a great sense of humour while contributing to meaningful work across NewZealand's largest and most diverse government departments.

About MPI - Mō teManatūAhuMatua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Up to 3 additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This role requires a NewZealand national security clearance.

To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

• You must be a NewZealand citizen or hold a NewZealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum five (5)-year background history that can be verified and assessed by the NewZealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self-check tool here.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities.

As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

Applications close at 11.59pm Sunday 27 September 2026

If you have any questions about the role, please email [e-mail]