Legal Counsel

• Full Time
• Application Closes 12 Aug 2026
• Auckland - Auckland
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant

Legal Counsel

National Support Office

Mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Ready to launch or accelerate your in-house legal career? As our Legal Counsel, you'll join a high-performing Legal team where you'll work alongside our General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsels, providing commercially focused legal advice that helps shape the future of Southern Cross Healthcare. This is an exciting opportunity to partner with leaders across the organisation, balancing legal risk with commercial outcomes while supporting strategic initiatives that make a real difference to healthcare delivery in New Zealand. From complex contract negotiations and regulatory matters to governance, privacy and commercial projects, you'll enjoy a diverse role where no two days are the same. 

You'll become a trusted business partner, empowering stakeholders with practical legal guidance, developing tools and training that build legal capability across the organisation, and helping teams confidently navigate an evolving legal and regulatory landscape. You'll also play an important role in supporting our Joint Ventures, monitoring organisational legal risk, managing external legal providers, and ensuring strong governance of our contract portfolio. Working collaboratively across the business, you'll challenge the status quo, contribute fresh ideas, and help drive continuous improvement while building strong relationships with colleagues and senior leaders alike. 

This is more than just providing legal advice - it's an opportunity to influence business decisions, develop your expertise across a wide range of legal disciplines, and grow your career within one of New Zealand's leading healthcare organisations. You'll be supported to continuously develop your knowledge, stay ahead of legal change, and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team that values innovation, partnership and excellence. You'll benefit from strong mentoring and support from an experienced in-house legal team, with the opportunity to deepen your expertise across a broad range of legal disciplines and explore the areas of law you're most passionate about. This is a full-time permanent position based in our National Support office in the Auckland CBD.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• 0–3 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) with a genuine passion for building a successful in-house legal career. 
• LLB qualification and admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, with a current practising certificate (or the ability to obtain one). 
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical, easy-to-understand advice for a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Strong commercial mindset, providing pragmatic, solution-focused legal advice that enables the business to achieve its objectives while effectively managing risk. 
• Experience working within a law firm or large, complex organisation will be highly regarded. 
• Exposure to corporate, commercial and/or property law, with knowledge of regulatory, privacy, consumer, intellectual property, employment or contract law viewed favourably. 
• Healthcare industry experience, or experience in another highly regulated environment, would be an advantage. 
• A collaborative approach with the confidence to build trusted relationships and positively influence stakeholders at all levels. 
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, confidently managing competing priorities, ambiguity and complex legal matters. 
• Naturally curious and quick to learn, with the confidence to ask questions, seek feedback and continuously build your expertise. 
• An articulate, proactive self-starter who enjoys taking ownership, works independently, and isn't afraid to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. 
• Self-aware, adaptable and resilient, with sound judgement, strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes every time. 

Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you: 

• Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package, relocation allowance, and employee referral bonus scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
• Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements.
• Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.

Ko wai matou | Our Organisation

At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our values shape everything we do (Care First, Better Together and Pursue Excellence)

If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.