Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial, Risk & Compliance
Location:
Melbourne preferred (East/South East) | Open to East Coast Australia | Remote considered
Salary:$180,000 – $250,000 + Superannuation
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded legal professional to join a growing international business operating across multiple jurisdictions, including Australia, Singapore, Southeast Asia and South Africa.
This is a broad, autonomous role that combines legal advisory, commercial contracting, risk management, governance and compliance responsibilities. Reporting into senior leadership, you will play a key role in supporting the business by providing practical legal guidance, strengthening risk and compliance frameworks, and ensuring legal matters are progressed efficiently and effectively.
The role is ideal for a senior lawyer who enjoys working closely with business stakeholders, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution, and delivering pragmatic commercial outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Legal, Commercial & Contract Advisory
- Provide timely and practical legal advice across commercial, corporate, governance, regulatory and operational matters.
- Draft, review, negotiate and manage a broad range of commercial agreements and legal documentation.
- Identify, assess and manage contractual risk across projects and commercial transactions.
- Translate complex legal obligations into clear, commercially focused guidance for business stakeholders.
- Support contract governance and commercial decision-making across multiple jurisdictions.
- Engage with regulators, government bodies and external stakeholders where required.
Risk & Compliance
- Establish, strengthen and maintain risk and compliance processes across the organisation.
- Identify legal and commercial risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
- Support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and governance frameworks.
- Assist with audits, investigations, regulatory enquiries and compliance reviews.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and advise on business impacts.
Governance & Stakeholder Management
- Support board, governance and corporate compliance activities.
- Build strong relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders across the business.
- Coordinate and manage external legal providers and specialist advisers.
- Drive legal matters through to resolution, ensuring timely outcomes and effective use of external counsel.
- Manage legal spend and external legal engagements where appropriate.
Continuous Improvement
- Develop and enhance legal templates, policies and commercial processes.
- Contribute to improving governance, compliance and risk management frameworks.
- Conduct legal research and provide guidance on international legal and regulatory developments.
About You
You are a commercially astute legal professional who combines strong technical capability with a practical, business-focused approach.
You will bring:
- A degree in Law, Business, Finance or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years' experience in a legal advisory, commercial or in-house legal role.
- Strong experience in commercial contracts, negotiation and risk management.
- Exposure to multiple jurisdictions and international business environments.
- Experience supporting governance, compliance and regulatory matters.
- A strong understanding of commercial drivers and business decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- The ability to work independently while influencing and partnering with senior leaders.
Experience within manufacturing, construction, engineering, infrastructure or other complex commercial environments will be highly regarded.
Culture & Environment
This organisation is a privately owned business with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong focus on achieving practical outcomes.
The environment offers:
- Minimal bureaucracy and fast decision-making.
- Direct access to senior leadership and key decision-makers.
- A collaborative, approachable and supportive culture.
- An expectation that senior professionals remain hands-on and execution-focused.
- High levels of autonomy and accountability.
- A workplace that values humour, authenticity and strong working relationships.
- A preference for hiring individuals who align with the culture and values of the business, alongside strong professional capability.
Success in this role will suit someone who is:
- A self-starter who takes ownership.
- Commercially minded and solutions focused.
- Comfortable operating with autonomy.
- Proactive, driven and outcome-oriented.
- Confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
- Equally capable of thinking strategically and rolling up their sleeves to get things done.
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible role with broad influence across an international business. You will work closely with senior leadership, help shape legal, governance and compliance capability, and make a tangible impact on business outcomes while enjoying significant autonomy and flexibility.
Applications are welcomed from candidates across Australia, with Melbourne preferred and flexible working arrangements available for the right person.
