Legal Counsel
Legal
Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Rotorua
Vacancy number: 60181
Fulltime (38 hours per week)
Are you an experienced commercial lawyer looking for a role where your advice genuinely shapes scientific and commercial outcomes? This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of science, innovation, and business, supporting internal and external partnerships across Aotearoa and beyond.
What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua
In this role, you will provide sound commercial legal advice to leaders and teams across the Bioeconomy Science Institute, helping enable business while mitigating commercial risk.
Your Responsibilities Will Include
Advising General Managers, Science Group Leaders, Business Managers and other staff — including those with limited commercial experience — on a wide range of commercial matters.
Reviewing all contracts and non‑standard agreements prior to sign‑off by authorised leaders.
Providing comprehensive drafting services, including templates, bespoke agreements and specialised contract clauses.
Instructing and managing external counsel where required.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with legal professionals across CRIs and life science organisations.
Identifying and actioning improvements to contracting processes to enhance customer experience.
Maintaining and developing the online contract template database and legal policies.
What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako
To be successful in this role, the minimum qualifications required are:
A law degree and admission, or immediate eligibility for admission, as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
A minimum of three years' relevant commercial law experience, ideally gained across both private practice and/or corporate environments.
Proven expertise in drafting and reviewing contracts, including the ability to integrate scientific, technical, and business concepts into agreements.
Experience in contract negotiation and managing commercial risk.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey practical legal advice in a clear, concise, non‑technical manner.
A pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach to problem solving.
Demonstrated sound legal judgement and strong commercial acumen.
A copy of the Position Description is available for you to view once you click on the 'apply' button.
What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga
The opportunity to work within a friendly, team-based environment that encourages and supports work-life balance, and to contribute to exciting projects with an organisation which has an excellent reputation for its science and for being a great place to work We offer excellent employee benefits and flexibility, such as;
Additional 7 days' leave and generous paid parental leave
Excellent benefit choices in retirement savings and wellbeing & health
Focus on health and wellbeing with enhanced sick leave
Ongoing career development opportunities
Flexible work – work from home and flexible hours
About us | Ko wai mātou
We're building something new. On 1 July 2025, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion came together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Now, we are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.
Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.
This position sits under the current Plant & Food Research group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute.
We welcome applicants who are excited to join us on this change journey.