Senior Legal Advisor

Published: 9 April 2025

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

Hawke's Bay Regional Council is seeking a Senior Legal Advisor to join our Legal, Compliance and Risk Team.

Supporting the Chief Legal Advisor, this role involves providing high-quality, pragmatic legal advice across a broad range of matters including, commercial contracts, property dealings, procurement, disputes, privacy, legal compliance and general business operations. In addition, you will enhance legal capability and understanding across HBRC, offering organisation-wide support and expert guidance on diverse legal matters.  

Embrace the freedom to work remotely while contributing to a dynamic and impactful role, with opportunities to travel to Napier as needed – combining flexibility with meaningful connection and collaboration.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in legal practice, demonstrating expertise across a diverse range of legal matters. Additionally, you will have exceptional analytical, problem solving and communication skills, and the ability to exercise sound judgement and commercial acumen when advising stakeholders. You should be prepared to challenge the status quo, displaying courage, initiative, and innovative thinking.

We're looking for a legal professional with:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree (or international equivalent).
• Admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
• A current legal practicing certificate from the New Zealand Law Society.
• 10+ years of post-qualification experience.
• In-house legal experience is essential, with specific public sector experience being desirable.
• Knowledge of legislation applicable to a Regional Council and local government, including official information and privacy principles.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Thursday, 8 May 2025, however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

View the full job description here.

Please apply through Seek. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

If you think you have what it takes but don’t meet all of the criteria for this role, please still get in touch.  We value diverse skills, a willingness to grow and an attitude aligned with our values.  We’d love to speak with you.

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

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