Commercial Legal Counsel

Broad in-house legal role across contracts, risk and compliance

Support essential infrastructure that serves our community

Annual salary reviews and health, life and income protection insurance

About the Role

As a Commercial Legal Counsel, you will provide high-quality legal advice and support across WEL's business units and subsidiaries. This is a broad in-house role where you'll provide practical legal advice that supports commercial decision-making, risk management and the delivery of essential infrastructure across the Waikato.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you'll play an important role in helping the business navigate legal, commercial and regulatory obligations while supporting operational and strategic outcomes.

In this role, you will:

Provide practical legal, compliance and regulatory advice to internal stakeholders.

Identify, assess and advise on legal and commercial risks across contracts, procurement, projects and operational tasks, disputes, governance matters and operational decisions.

Support infrastructure projects and network activities, including property matters, access rights and related documentation.

Assist with regulatory matters, commercial transactions, customer and stakeholder interactions.

About You

You'll be a practical, solutions-focused legal professional who can balance legal risk with commercial and operational realities. You'll be confident working with a range of stakeholders and able to translate complex legal matters into clear, useful advice.

You'll bring:

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a current New Zealand Practising Certificate, or eligibility to obtain one.

At least five years' post-admission experience in a commercial law firm, corporate environment or similar setting.

Strong experience drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on commercial and construction contracts, with sound knowledge of contract and commercial law, legal risk and compliance obligations.

The confidence to advise internal stakeholders in a complex commercial or regulated environment, supported by strong judgement, attention to detail and clear communication skills.

Experience in electricity industry, utilities, infrastructure, construction, procurement or technology matters would be advantageous.

Best-in-class Benefits

At WEL, we know great people need great support. That's why we offer a benefits package designed to look after you and your whanau, support work-life balance, and recognise the value you bring.

Medical, life and income protection insurance

Flexible working options - work from home up to two days per week, ability to purchase additional annual leave, 9-day fortnight, and much more

Relocation costs, and

An excellent salary package, including annual salary reviews

About WEL Networks

WEL Networks is unique. We've been serving the Waikato for over 100 years, distributing electricity from the national grid so we can power over 100,000 homes and businesses.

With around 300 employees, we're proudly based in Hamilton and are owned by the community we work for. We play an important role in the region's economic and social development by identifying and investing in new technologies to future-proof our region - and keep our communities flourishing. Our vision is bold. And our ambition even stronger, especially as we diversify from traditional 'poles and lines' to an innovative and sustainable business.

Ready to learn more? Start here

If you're looking for a broad in-house role where your advice will directly support critical infrastructure and community outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

We actively value diversity and inclusion and want extraordinary people to join us. It is important to us that we get to experience a little bit of the 'real you' in your application. Check out the full position description for more details.

As part of our commitment to safety in a critical industry, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test and complete a police background check prior to starting with WEL.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early.