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.