• Excellent legal career opportunity – be our chief legal advisor
• Have your finger on the pulse of a sporting administration body
• Enjoy a broad variety of work in a new role that touches all corners of the organisation

In proud partnership with the Racing Integrity Board we seek a General Counsel to join the team and serve as the chief legal advisor.

As General Counsel you will play a pivotal role supporting our work to deliver integrity within the racing sector, and also managing the broader legal and regulatory issues impacting the organisation.

About Us

The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) is the independent regulator for thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing in New Zealand. The RIB has the responsibility to promote and ensure compliance with high standards of animal welfare, integrity and professionalism by participants in the racing industry. 

Established under the Racing Industry Act 2020, the RIB has a national presence working across the three racing codes.  Our race day teams attend nearly one thousand race meetings across 59 tracks each year. We work to ensure racing is safe, fair and high standards of animal welfare are maintained. 

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, in this new role you will embed legal processes and systems within the organisation and ensure sound advice is provided across all legal and regulatory issues.

Your work will focus on key areas:

• Legal counsel and advice.
• RIB policy and compliance.
• Racing rules and policy.
• Contract management and negotiation.
• Racing integrity processes.
• Company secretariat.

You will provide sound legal, risk and governance advice to the CEO, Board, and senior team, supporting them through all corporate, commercial, statutory and regulatory obligations.

Collaborating with other stakeholders, you will play your part in developing and reviewing policies, rules and procedures governing racing activities across the codes, and have your finger on the pulse of any legislative or regulatory developments.

Supporting investigations, disputes and enforcement activities, as well as advocating for the organisation when required, are also aspects of the role.

You will be across any other legal activities, including contract reviews and engagement with external legal advisors, regulatory bodies and government agencies.

The General Counsel will also act as a conduit between the Board and senior leadership, performing all company secretariat functions, including Board minutes and agendas.

About You

This is an excellent role for a General Counsel, who enjoys being part of a high performance executive team, working in a fast-paced sports administration environment.

You will be valued as a trusted advisor, leveraging your strategic acumen and robust risk management capabilities to support the RIB in meeting its legislative responsibilities.

We’re seeking a person with:

• A legal qualification and New Zealand practising certificate.
• Around ten years’ legal experience (PQE).
• Ideally, experience within a statutory or sports administration body.
• Proven experience in contract negotiation, dispute resolution and litigation management.
• A solutions focused lens, able to formulate practicable solutions to complex challenges.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A very high level of integrity and professionalism.

In return, you’ll join an organisation that strives for excellence while making a meaningful contribution to the sporting sector. You will have the support of an invested and committed leadership team.

How to Apply

For a copy of the full position description or to chat about this role please contact Jacaleen Williams on 021 732 996 or Harleen Verma on 027 326 2129 at Talent Aotearoa.  To apply, please click APPLY NOW, attaching your CV and cover letter.

Please don’t delay, applications for this role will be reviewed daily.

Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position. For advice on obtaining a New Zealand work or residence visa visit www.immigration.govt.nz.