Legal Services Advisor/Senior Legal Services Advisor

Mo tenei turanga mahi | About the role You will be a trusted legal advisor. You will provide pragmatic, solutions-focused legal advice to researchers and professional staff across the University's research and enterprise portfolios. You will negotiate, draft, and advise on a wide range of agreements, balancing legal risk with the University's strategic objectives. Working collaboratively with researchers and professional staff, you will provide advice on matters including research funding and collaborations, intellectual property arrangements such as ownership, licensing, trademarks, copyright, and patents, as well as privacy, publication, and related commercial matters. You will help enable research and enterprise outcomes by providing timely, practical, and legally sound advice. Success in this role comes from building trusted relationships, exercising sound judgement, communicating complex legal issues clearly, and finding practical solutions that support research while appropriately managing legal risk. Mou | About you You will be an experienced lawyer who combines strong technical capability with sound judgement and a practical approach to problem solving. You will bring: Experience advising on legal matters in a commercial, government, tertiary, research, or similar environment Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements, with the ability to identify key risks and opportunities The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within agreed timeframes Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work through complex or ambiguous issues Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both legal and non-legal stakeholders You will hold an LLB or equivalent recognised law degree and have a current New Zealand practising certificate, or the ability to obtain one. Experience in areas relevant to research and enterprise activities, including commercial, intellectual property, privacy, or research collaborations, would be advantageous. Ko nga hua o te turanga? | What is in it for you? This is an opportunity to work in a small in-house legal team supporting research that delivers real impact for New Zealand. You will enjoy: Intellectually stimulating and varied legal work A collaborative and supportive team environment The opportunity to contribute to the success of one of New Zealand's leading universities You will also receive up to 6.75% employer contribution to the UniSaver Superannuation Scheme, five university holidays each year in addition to annual leave and a subsidised Southern Cross Healthcare plan for you and your whanau. The salary will be negotiated based on skills and experience. If you are looking for an in-house legal role where you can apply your legal expertise, work collaboratively with researchers and professional staff, and support research and innovation across Aotearoa New Zealand, we would love to hear from you. Desired Skills and Experience Contracting Negotiation Compliance Governance Advisory Commercialisation Licensing Trademarks Copyright Patents Privacy Intellectual Property Risk Management Due Diligence Drafting Research Innovation Collaboration Partnerships Funding Enterprise Academia #J-18808-Ljbffr