Legal Counsel (intermediate or senior)

Company Description 

Mai te hiku ki te taurapa, whitikina e te rā  
From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun  

This whakataukī speaks to our journey across Aotearoa, one waka, one purpose, powered by the natural forces that sustain us. Meridian is Aotearoa’s largest renewable electricity producer, generating energy from the winds of Tāwhirimātea, the waters of Tangaroa, and the warmth of Tama-nui-te-rā.  

Mō te tūranga | About the role  

As Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel, you’ll be a trusted advisor to the business, helping connect legal insight with commercial decision-making. Sitting within the Office of the CEO, this role gives you broad exposure across Meridian — from supporting major contracts and projects through to regulatory, governance, and public policy matters. 

This is a role that can flex with your experience. You might be stepping up into more complex work or already operating at a senior level and looking to have greater influence. Either way, you’ll work across the business to navigate risk, enable good decisions, and support Meridian’s strategy. 

Wellington is the preferred location for this role, but we are open to Auckland or Christchurch for the right candidate.

Āu mahi | What you’ll be doing  

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and arrangements.  

• Provide pragmatic legal advice that considers both risk and commercial outcomes.  

• Support governance and company secretarial responsibilities, including NZX and ASX obligations.  

• Stay across regulatory and policy developments, supporting submissions where needed.  

• Build strong relationships across the business, helping teams navigate complex issues.  

• Deliver training and guidance on legal, regulatory and compliance matters. 

• Manage external legal providers and contribute to continuous improvement in how we deliver legal support. 

Ngā pukenga kei a koe mō tēnei tūranga | What you’ll bring  

• Experience in a corporate law firm or in-house legal team (around 4 – 8 + years or equivalent depth of experience).  

• A New Zealand LLB and practising certificate (or ability to practise in NZ).  

• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance risk with business outcomes.  

• Confidence working independently while staying connected to the wider team. 

• Excellent communication skills, able to make complex issues simple and practical.  

• A collaborative approach and strong relationship-building skills.  

• Bonus: experience in property, construction, or the energy sector. 

Ngā painga ki a mātou | What we can offer  

We value work/life balance, so our flexible work options (where possible) make things easier for you and your whānau. We also offer:  

• An attractive and competitive salary package that’s reviewed annually, plus discounts from several partnership.  

• Southern Cross Healthcare - Wellbeing one insurance, funded scheme for eligible employees to give you that extra peace of mind.     

• Enhanced leave provisions: three company paid days (over the holiday period), enhanced parental leave and options to buy up to 12 days additional leave.   

• Life, trauma and income protection insurance (which we hope you won’t need!)   

• Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions.  

• Excellent learning and development opportunities, we want you to be the best version of yourself and will help you get there!    

• Award winning wellbeing programme that provides support whenever and wherever you need it.   

• Employee discounts off your power with Meridian, every bit counts.   

He aha koe i hono mai ai ki a mātou? | Why join us?   

We’re a great place to work with plenty of opportunities and career development for those that want it. We value and live by three ‘How to Be’s’: ‘be gutsy’, working together by ‘being in the waka’ and doing the right thing by ‘being a good human’.  

Tono mai ināianei tonu | Apply now  

All in all, we’re a genuinely great place to work, with meaningful work, supportive teams, and a clear purpose. If this role sounds like a fit and you’re keen to make a real impact on New Zealand’s energy future, apply today and tell us what you’ll bring to the role.  

If you’ve got any questions, please email [email protected]. We’re committed to becoming more accessible and providing support if needed. Please get in touch if there are parts of our process you would like assistance with (process found here: meridianenergy.co.nz/careers).  

Find the full position description here.  

Advertising closes Tuesday 23rd June at 11:59pm.