Senior Legal Counsel – Technology, Data and Commercial (6 to 15 years' PQE)
Location: Hamilton
Looking for a meaningful in-house role that has real impact?
Join a progressive, purpose-led and highly collaborative organisation undertaking nationally significant research, technology and industry-development work. The organisation is involved in major industry sector initiatives and offers the chance to work on projects with scale, complexity and real-world consequence.
The opportunity
A rare opportunity for a commercially astute technology, data and privacy lawyer to step into a highly engaging in-house role at the intersection of science, innovation, IP, research, sustainability and major sector-wide projects.
This is not a narrow contracts role, it combines specialist technology, data and privacy work with a broader, complex commercial portfolio. The role supports projects central to the organisation’s long-term objectives, and as a senior lawyer in the team, you will be trusted to advise on a range of sophisticated and often novel legal matters including complex research collaborations, data-sharing arrangements, technology initiatives, procurement, funding, intellectual property and high-value commercial partnerships.
Working within a lean, well-regarded legal team, you will partner closely with scientists, programme leaders, commercial stakeholders, government and external advisers. You will have real visibility, meaningful ownership and the opportunity to help progress work with genuine long-term impact.
The role
You will provide practical, forward-thinking, and solutions-focused legal advice across a broad and evolving portfolio, including:
Technology, data, privacy, IP and commercial matters.
Bespoke commercial and technology agreements, research contracts, data-sharing arrangements and collaboration agreements.
Complex innovation, science, sustainability, biosecurity and agritech initiatives.
High-value procurement, funding and strategic partnership arrangements.
Risk, governance and legal-process improvement.
Stakeholder engagement, negotiation and commercially pragmatic problem-solving.
About you
This role will suit a commercially astute technology lawyer seeking specialist depth, a varied commercial portfolio and meaningful ownership, whether moving from private practice or an established in-house role.
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
Admission as a lawyer, ideally in New Zealand.
At least 6 years PQE, ideally within the 6 to 15 years range, including experience at a reputable law firm and/or in a sophisticated in-house environment.
Strong technology, data and privacy experience (these areas are essential).
Excellent drafting, negotiation and commercial-contracting capability.
Experience advising on complex projects, research, innovation, procurement, infrastructure or other strategically significant commercial work.
The ability to balance legal risk with practical, commercial and relationship-led solutions.
Confidence working directly with senior stakeholders and technical subject-matter experts.
An appetite for intellectually challenging work, ambiguity, and projects that genuinely shape the future.
Benefits and flexibility
Alongside challenging, high-impact legal work, this organisation also offers a range of benefits, including (but not limited to):
A competitive salary aligned with experience and expertise.
Flexible and hybrid working.
A family-friendly culture that encourages work-life balance.
Health and wellbeing support and discounts.
Fuel discounts.
Express your interest
If you'd like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Harri de Iongh (Managing Director at Mitchell Maddox) to arrange a confidential discussion. You can contact Harri at [email protected] or by applying through Seek.
All enquiries are treated with the strictest care and confidentiality.
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