Senior Legal Counsel Workplace Relations

• Shape fair, robust workplace relations across a national organisation
• Senior role partnering with leaders on complex employment matters
• Salary range $151,774 to $168,638 (pro-rata for fixed-term)

Use your expert employment law knowledge to influence meaningful outcomes across a diverse, purpose-driven organisation.

Mo tenei turanga - about the role

We have two opportunities available

• 1x one permanent
• 1x one six month fixed-term from ASAP to 31 December 2026

As Senior Legal Counsel - Workplace Relations, you'll provide high-quality, pragmatic legal advice across a wide range of complex employment law and workplace relations matters.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Advisor, you'll partner closely with the People branch and senior leaders to ensure employment practices are legally robust, fair, and aligned with public sector expectations.

This is a trusted advisory role where you'll:

• Provide expert legal advice on complex employment and workplace relations issues
• Partner with People teams to support legally sound and fair employment practices
• Manage complex employment cases, investigations, and organisational risk
• Support mediations and represent Fire and Emergency at ERA hearings
• Advise leaders on compliance, procedural fairness, and legal risk
• Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders
• Engage and manage external legal counsel where required

Ko tau na i tenei turanga - What you'll bring to the role:

You'll bring expert judgement, a pragmatic mindset, and the confidence to navigate complex workplace matters with impact.

Build strong relationships for a people first approach, while providing fair and confident workplace outcomes

To be successful in this role, we'd expect you will:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and eligibility for a current practising certificate
• Significant employment law experience with strong knowledge of NZ legislation and practice
• Understanding of public sector employment law
• Strong communication, mediation, and negotiation skills; models good faith
• Experience managing complex and sensitive employment matters
• Strong problem-solving skills with practical, sound judgement
• Collaborative approach with ability to influence and deliver outcomes

The salary range for this role is $151,774 to $168,638 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role. For the six month fixed-term, the salary will be pro-rata.

Ko wai matou - who are we?

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is a Crown Entity responsible for reducing unwanted fires, responding to structural and vegetation fires and other emergencies including motor vehicle crashes, medical emergencies, hazardous substance related incidents, natural disasters, and supporting increased community resilience.

Our vision is to build stronger communities and protect what matters most to the people within them. We are proud to be recognised as New Zealand's most trusted public sector agency. Our values reflect what our people believe is core to who we are and the organisation we aspire to be.

• We Do the Right Thing - Kia Tika
• We Serve and Support - Manaakitanga
• We Are Better Together - Whanaungatanga
• We Strive to Improve - Auahatanga

Come join us - we are excited about the future of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and we'd love you to be part of it! We value diversity as a strength and welcome applicants that can help bring a difference to our organisation.

If this sounds like you, apply now outlining which position you are applying for. To download a copy of our position summary please visit our vacancy page on our FireJobs website.

If you have any specific questions about this role, please email: ***email_hidden***. Please note, applications sent via email will not be accepted.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

Applications close Friday, 5th June 2026.

Please note: Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory for this role.