[ref. c35522817] Senior / Legal Counsel - Competitionat NZ Commerce Commission104,400 - 156,746 - Wellington
We are looking for a Senior / Legal Counsel, Competition, to join our Legal Services team.
This is a permanent role based in our either Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) or Te Whanganui- a-Tara (Wellington) office.Mō te tūranga | About the roleAs a Senior Legal Counsel in the Competition Legal team at the Commission, you will play a key role in supporting strategically significant and complex projects across competition and cartel investigations, merger and collaborative activity clearances and authorisations, merger investigations, and market studies.
Working as part of cross-disciplinary project teams, you will provide expert legal input throughout.As a Legal Counsel, you will contribute through in-depth legal research and analysis, interpreting complex information to develop effective legal solutions, with support from senior colleagues.Another core focus of the role is leading complex litigation and higher-level enforcement matters.
Often this involves working closely with external legal providers, including senior counsel from the independent bar, to develop and execute litigation strategies, prepare and review court documents, and uphold the Commission's role as a model litigant.We are particularly seeking candidates with strong experience in criminal enforcement or prosecution, ideally within a regulatory context, to support the work of our busy Cartels Investigations team.While the primary focus of this role is on the Competition Legal team, there may be opportunities to contribute to the broader work of the Legal Services branch, which spans Fair Trading, Credit, Market Regulation, and Infrastructure Regulation—offering exposure to a wide range of legal challenges.The indicative salary range for a Legal Counsel role is $104,400- $122,824 and for a Senior Legal Counsel $133,234
- $156,746 plus 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.
The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects their individual skills, experience, and internal relativities across the organisation.He kōrero mōu | About youOur people come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences which together support the fabric of our mahi and contributes to our vision to make New Zealanders better off.If you have the following skills and attributes, you could make a great Senior / Legal Counsel:An undergraduate degree in law with a strong academic transcript2-8+ years' Post Qualification ExperienceExperience in regulatory enforcement activity, preferably with experience in criminal law enforcementProven expertise in drafting complex legal advice and decision documents, complemented by experience in reviewing and, where necessary, preparing Court documentsSound/exemplary legal research and analytical abilityHigh level of verbal and written communication skillsAbove all, we are seeking smart and curious lawyers who have a keen interest in working on important competition law issues and who are committed to public service and making life better for New Zealanders.Read more about the skills, experience and knowledge required for this position in the position description.
If you are applying via SEEK, by clicking Apply Now you will be redirected to our careers page where you can access our position description.Te wāhi mahi | Working hereWe asked our staff what it's like to work for Te Komihana Tauhokohoko | The Commerce Commission:There's a lot to like about working here.
The work is varied and super-interesting, and you have a chance to make a real difference protecting competition and consumers.The people you work with are fantastic: they're hardworking and smart and are passionate about doing their best to make sure New Zealanders are getting a 'fair go'.
We care for each other, and our environment is inclusive.
We work across boundaries, collaborate, and learn from each other.Click here to find out more about benefits and life here at Te Komihana Tauhokohoko | The Commerce Commission.Ka pēhea te tono mai | How to applyIf you want to contribute to our vision to make New Zealanders better off, please click 'Apply for this job' below.
You will need to complete an online application form and upload your CV and Cover Letter outlining your motivation for applying for this role and the skills and experience you bring.We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview shortly after the advert closes.
For any queries contact Lisa Weimann on 04 472 2038.
Closing date for applications: 4 June 2025.
Studies have shown that women and people from under-represented backgrounds are less likely to apply for roles where they don't match the job description criteria exactly.If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply.Our recruitment process is fair, inclusive and free from bias and we encourage our applicants to let us know if we can make it more user friendly for them.
We are an equal opportunity employer.We value diverse perspectives and the contribution every one of our people makes to our culture.
Put simply- you can be yourself here.