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Chief Legal Counsel
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
Wellington, QAT
Full Time
Director
Onsite
4 weeks ago
Legal LeadershipRegulatory LawPublic LawPrivacy LawLitigation ManagementPolicy Development
Free
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About the Role
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand seeks a Chief Legal Counsel to lead legal strategy and a high-performing team. The role requires significant senior legal leadership in a government or regulatory environment, with expertise in public law, privacy, and regulatory stewardship.
Key Skills for This Role
Legal LeadershipRegulatory LawPublic LawPrivacy LawLitigation ManagementPolicy Development
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic legal advice and oversee legal risk, assurance, and compliance across the Authority
- Lead and develop a high performing Legal Services team
- Act as Privacy Officer and lead privacy and information governance
- Support regulatory and enforcement activities through sound legal guidance
- Manage external counsel, litigation, and key legal relationships
- Contribute to policy, legislation, and regulatory stewardship
Requirements
- Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practising certificate
- Significant senior legal leadership experience in a complex government or regulatory environment
- Proven ability advising Chief Executives, Boards, and senior leaders on high risk matters
- Strong legal judgement and ability to apply legal risk in broader organisational context
- Exceptional influencing and communication skills at executive level
- Track record of building and leading high performing legal teams
- Strong understanding of public sector accountability, regulatory stewardship, and governance
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Full Job Posting
About the Role
- As Chief Legal Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal and regulatory integrity of New Zealand’s aviation system.
- You will lead expert advice on complex regulatory, public law, and privacy matters, guide a high performing legal team, and bring clear, trusted judgement to critical organisational decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic legal advice and overseeing legal risk, assurance, and compliance across the Authority
- Leading and developing a high performing Legal Services team
- Acting as Privacy Officer and leading privacy and information governance
- Supporting regulatory and enforcement activities through sound legal guidance
- Managing external counsel, litigation, and key legal relationships
- Contributing to policy, legislation, and regulatory stewardship
What You’ll Bring
- Significant senior legal leadership experience in a complex government or regulatory environment
- Proven ability advising Chief Executives, Boards, and senior leaders on high risk matters
- Strong legal judgement, with the ability to apply legal risk in the context of broader organisational, operational, and strategic considerations
- Exceptional influencing and communication skills, with credibility at executive level
- A track record of building and leading high performing legal teams
- Strong understanding of public sector accountability, regulatory stewardship, and governance
Essential Requirements
- Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practising certificate
- Have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
About Us
- The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator.
- Our vision: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.
- Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration.
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