Legal Counsel – Australia & New Zealand

About the role

The Legal Counsel provides strategic and operational legal support to SSP across Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to the Regional Managing Director, the role balances commercial pragmatism with robust risk management to enable growth while ensuring compliance with legal and governance frameworks.

Key responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including tenancy, construction, franchise, supplier and marketing contracts.
• Identify and mitigate contractual risks, supporting negotiations and protecting the organisation’s interests.
• Lead corporate governance and regulatory compliance, overseeing Modern Slavery, Human Rights, Privacy, Whistleblower, Anti‑Bribery & Corruption and sustainability reporting.
• Act as the primary point of contact for company secretarial matters in Australia, ensuring statutory compliance.
• Provide trusted legal advice to the Regional Managing Director and senior leadership on risk, governance and commercial opportunities.
• Support business decisions by highlighting legal implications and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Develop and deliver training on privacy, anti‑bribery, competition law and governance obligations.

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer with experience advising senior leadership in a commercial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and balance commercial objectives with risk management.
• Strong understanding of Australian and New Zealand regulatory frameworks and corporate governance standards.
• Excellent communication skills and experience delivering legal training to non‑legal stakeholders.

Required skills