Senior Legal Counsel - Ref : 565

Are you an experienced lawyer (ideally with commercial, property or regulatory experience)with a passion for serving the community?

Do you thrive in dynamic work environments and have a vision for making an impact within local government?

If so, this is the perfect opportunity for you to shape the future of a newly formed legal team!

Council's Legal Services team are trusted advisors to the organisation, responsible for the provision of quality, cost-effective and timely legal advice and assistance.

The team work across the organisation to foster a high-performance culture, accountability and to reinforce Council's social license.

As the Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide expert advice and guidance on a broad range of complex legal issues relevant to local government.

We're ideally seeking someone with a strong background in commercial or property law, who will support the existing in-house team across a diverse range of matters, including drafting and advising on contracts and other commercial arrangements, property and regulatory matters, and instructing external providers.

You will be confident providing quality, timely and pragmatic advice to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership team, Council Managers and when required – the Mayor and Elected Members.

You will have a growth mindset and excellent judgment.

You will build effective relationships, be customer-orientated and committed to high quality outcomes.

This is an exciting new position to compliment a small in-house function where you will have the opportunity to support the General Counsel and wider legal team to implement the legal strategy and contribute to Council's priorities and community outcomes.

When you join Kapiti Coast District Council you'll enjoy a range of fantastic benefits, including :

Dependant leave – because family matters.

Thriving team culture – we work hard and support each other.

Free access to pools – dive into fun.

Council staff discounts – because who doesn't love a good deal?

To excel in this role, you will bring strong knowledge and experience with :

Current legal practicing certificate for New Zealand and relevant legal qualifications.

Demonstrated senior-level knowledge and experience providing legal advice and assistance across a range of issues relevant to local government (6+ years PQE desirable).

Current legal practicing certificate for New Zealand and relevant legal qualifications.

Demonstrated understanding of key legal areas relevant to an in-house role in local government and experience in one or more key areas (public law, resource management, regulatory, planning, commercial, grants and funding.

Ability to succeed in dynamic work environment and to manage competing priorities.

Demonstrated high level of discretion and diplomacy with ability to maintain strict confidence on any Council matter of a sensitive nature.

Understanding and awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Maori perspectives and Council's statutory obligations to Maori and mana whenua in the Kapiti Coast District, and the ability to apply this knowledge to ensure the effectiveness of Council's internal legal function and the advice provided to Council staff particularly where this relates to Council's partnership with mana whenua.

For more information regarding the role, please view thejob description (PDF 307 KB) .

Enquiries about this position should be directed to Sarah Wattie, General Counsel on

How to apply |Me pehea te tono

We'll be reviewing applications as they come in and will keep the role open until we find our preferred candidate, so don't wait, submit your application now!

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

Please note preferred candidates are required to undergo pre-employment checks including drug and alcohol screening and Police checks.

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