Deputy Director - Contract and Commercial

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Counsel, this position is focused on NZDF's deliverables in the Contract and Commercial Law field of resources law. It focuses on broader contracts and commercial work, with an emphasis on providing strategic legal advice across large-scale, project-driven activities. Key responsibilities include advising on significant procurement projects as well as investments and other high-value initiatives. As well as 'doing the doing', you will manage two lawyers within the team as well as mange the relationships with external lawyers for highly technical or specialised matters.

The incoming person will be involved early in projects, identifying legal risks, and providing practical, solutions-oriented advice. As part of a small legal team within a large organisation, much of the work will involve sense-checking and ensuring alignment with applicable considerations and requirement.

Stakeholder engagement is a key component of this role, requiring close collaboration with internal teams as well as external stakeholders. While the role is largely project-driven, it also requires flexibility to handle ad hoc matters that arise.

This role is based in Wellington CBD with excellent flexibility on offer with the ability to work from home two days per week.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

• 7+ years’ post admission experience in contracts and commercial law
• Additional expertise in any of the following areas will be advantageous but not essential: construction law, environmental law, public law and/or the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Either management experience, or experience mentoring and supervising other lawyers and a desire step up into management
• Excellent interpersonal skills and stakeholder engagement - building strong relationships and maintaining open lines of communication will be essential to success.
• An ability to affectively communicate and advise on complex issues, both orally and in writing – good drafting skills will be important.
• The ability to issue-spot effectively and determine when to instruct external counsel is critical.
• LLB Degree and the ability to hold a practising certificate as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand (NZ) and be able to obtain and maintain the required level of NZ Government security clearance for the position applied for.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning – safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all their benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Robert Walters is exclusively managing this recruitment for NZDF. Applications close on 28 September at 12pm but we encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested. If you’d like to join NZDF in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives, then apply now. Or, for a confidential discussion contact Apryl Burgess +64 27 816 9899 l apryl.burgess@robertwalters.co.nz.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. They embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. If you require any support throughout this recruitment process, please let us know.

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence in this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Apryl Burgess on +6444719721.