Senior Legal Counsel
Job Description
Kia ora, Be a catalyst for transformation. Shape the future at PwC New Zealand. 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.
Ngā kōrero mo tēnei tūranga / About the role: We’re looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join our Office of General Counsel in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. This is a broad senior in‑house role, providing pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across PwC New Zealand. You’ll work closely with partners, client‑facing teams and Internal Firm Services on a range of legal matters, with a strong focus on complex client contracting, procurement, and legal risk management. You'll join our Office of the General Counsel, a collaborative and high‑performing team providing legal support across the firm.
Key responsibilities- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements, including client contracts, master services agreements, and supplier agreements.
- Supporting bids/tenders and strategic client contracts; helping teams land commercially workable outcomes.
- Partnering with Risk and Procurement on strategic supplier negotiations and vendor risk.
- Providing practical legal advice to business stakeholders across a range of operational and strategic matters.
- Supporting responses to legislative and regulatory changes that may impact the firm.
- Assisting with dispute management and resolution where required.
- Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of legal templates, guidance materials, and internal policies.
- Responding to ad hoc legal queries across the business with clear, solutions‑focused advice.
Ngā pūkenga ka kawea mai e koe, ka whakawhanakehia rānei i tēnei tūranga / Skills you will bring or develop in this role: Current legal practising certificate for New Zealand (or eligibility to obtain one), 6–10+ years’ PQE, ideally with strong commercial contracting experience (law firm and/or in‑house), demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, commercial and stakeholder capability, strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives, ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of an organisation, strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
Qualifications and core experience- Current legal practising certificate for New Zealand (or eligibility to obtain one).
- 6–10+ years’ PQE, ideally with strong commercial contracting experience (law firm and/or in‑house).
- Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
- Commercial and stakeholder capability.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
- Ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of an organisation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
- 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.