• Superb legal leadership opportunity
• Globally recognised, high quality food company
• Shape legal strategy and influence decisions
• Dunedin location or work from other NZ regions including Auckland and Christchurch

Here is an exceptional opportunity for an astute and experienced senior lawyer to lead the corporate legal strategy for this globally recognised, high quality food company.

About the company

Established in 1948, Silver Fern Farms is a market-led food company, supplying nutritious and delicious, sustainably and ethically raised grass-fed red meat and other natural products, from Aotearoa to the world. With its distinctive, high-profile brand, Silver Fern Farms is New Zealand's leading processor, marketer and exporter of premium quality lamb, beef, venison and associated products to over 60 global markets. Silver Fern Farms is deeply connected to the rural communities of New Zealand. In peak season they employ over 6,000 people globally and connect to a network of over 16,000 farmer suppliers nationwide. With a purpose of 'Creating Goodness from the Farms the World Needs', Silver Fern Farms is committed to creating a nature positive future, enabled by a clear and enduring sustainability action plan.

About the role

To support Silver Fern Farms in the pursuit of its ambitious growth, diversification and new business strategies, a new role of Group General Counsel has been created. The Group General Counsel will be responsible for overseeing the provision of the full range of legal services to Silver Fern Farms, its subsidiaries, and its international offices. Reporting to the CFO and with responsibility for leading the Silver Fern Farms legal team, this is an important and influential role requiring the ability to align legal and business strategies effectively.

The Group General Counsel will be a senior advisor to the Executive team and Board on key business strategies, risks and opportunities, and deliver sound and commercially pragmatic legal advice across a broad range of operational and strategic areas. Working closely with senior stakeholders at an impactful level, the Group General Counsel will anticipate and mitigate legal risks and issues, develop relationships of confidence and trust, shape legal strategy and influence critical decision-making processes.

What we are looking for:

• Qualified lawyer with NZ practising certificate (or eligibility to hold one).
• Significant high-quality experience in broad areas of corporate and commercial law.
• Significant in-house experience with international dimensions.
• Robust, strategic and commercial decision-making ability.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative, constructive approach with the ability to foster strong internal and external relationships.

If you are a highly skilled and strategic senior lawyer with the ability to embrace and drive change in a transforming business as it pursues new growth strategies and ambitions, this is a superb opportunity not to be missed!

Click here to apply.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity please contact Jennifer Williams at Williams Legal Recruitment Limited on 027 220 8003 or email jw@williamslegalrecruitment.co.nz.