New Zealand Law Society - Head of Legal

Head of Legal

  • Senior employment law opportunity 

  • Be a trusted advisor to NZ businesses  

  • Do the work you enjoy and for purpose 

The Employers’ and Manufacturers’ Association Northern Inc. (EMA) is New Zealand’s largest member-based business association, operating for over 135 years since its establishment in 1886.  Its purpose is to increase the prosperity of New Zealand through better business.  The EMA is at the forefront of the business environment, advocating for, and providing ER, consulting, health and safety, legal advice, representation, learning and training services to over 7,000 member organisations. 

The Opportunity 

The EMA is now seeking a confident, commercially minded Head of Legal to be responsible for the strategic direction, management and profitable growth of its legal practice. 

Based at its headquarters in Grafton, Auckland, you’ll be the EMA’s most senior legal advisor and a visible and trusted public voice for the EMA on employment and workplace issues - representing the interests of New Zealand businesses with clarity, authority and credibility. 

As part of the EMA’s strategy, this role will play a leading part in shaping the national employment law landscape - identifying, influencing and where appropriate, participating in significant legal proceedings that have wide‑ranging implications for New Zealand businesses. 

Reporting to the CEO and as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll work closely with them and the Board of Directors, as well as member organisations, government and regulatory bodies, EMA consultants, the ERA and external law firms. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Delivery of high-quality, commercially focussed employment law and workplace relations advice. 

  • Develop the legal profile of the EMA as the ‘leading voice of the employer within New Zealand’, including acting as, or instructing counsel when the EMA intervenes in important court or tribunal proceedings to advance principled outcomes for members and the wider business community. 

  • Lead a small legal team and the EMA’s AdviceLine function. 

  • Drive revenue growth, strategic direction, operational excellence and member satisfaction. 

  • Be a public-facing legal thought leader, delivering confident, credible presentations and briefings to member audiences, industry forums and senior stakeholder groups. 

  • Advocate on behalf of members with relevant central government departments. 

  • Oversee compliance, risk management and stakeholder engagement. 

  • Serve as the General Counsel to the EMA in respect of general legal matters with support of external law firms as needed. 

About you 

  • A NZ qualified lawyer with a current (or eligibility to hold) NZ practising certificate. 

  • 8+ years’ experience (and it could be much more) in employment law and industrial relations from either private practice and/or in-house roles. 

  • Demonstrated experience representing employment or industrial relations matters in court and/or tribunal settings. 

  • Ability to present complex legal and policy issues clearly and persuasively to large, senior audiences (e.g. business leaders, Boards, and member forums). 

  • Able to translate complex legal arguments and court outcomes into clear, credible guidance for business leaders, Boards and large member audiences. 

  • Genuine interest in leading, mentoring and developing talent within the legal team. 

It could be that you are: 

  • a senior employment lawyer in private practice now thinking it is the right time to make the move in-house; or 

  • working in-house already in an employment and industrial relations role but are keen to take that next step-up in your legal career; or 

  • you could be a Kiwi lawyer overseas looking to make the return home in 2026 and keen to secure a senior legal role. 

  • Does this sound like you?  If you’re a senior legal practitioner seeking a high‑impact role with genuine influence, this is an opportunity not to be missed, and I’d love to hear from you! 

Why join the EMA? 

  • A role where your legal expertise directly shapes better business practices, stronger workplaces, and national policies on important employment issues. 

  • High visibility across policymakers, the organisation and the membership network. 

  • Interesting, purposeful legal work in a complex and ever-changing employment law landscape. 

  • Competitive package and benefits (including bonus + carpark). 

  • Define and deliver the organisational strategy as a key member of the Senior Leadership team with direct responsibility for a critical function within the organisation. 

What else should I know? 

The EMA is supportive of flexible, hybrid working arrangements, including WFH and is open to also discussing part-time hours if this is what you are looking for.   Some travel will be required from time to time within the North Island to deliver tri-annual member Briefings. 

You will be joining an organisation that values its people, collaboration, innovation and is a genuinely nice place to come to work. 

How to apply? 

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity and to obtain a copy of the Position Description, please contact Lee Scott at Scott Legal Recruitment on 022 0710 949 or by email: lee@scottlegalrecruitment.co.nz, quoting Job Ref: LS26.   

Alternatively, click here to apply and view this position on Seek. 

Expressions of interest to be received by: 16 May 2026. 

Scott Legal Recruitment is managing the recruitment process for this role exclusively on behalf of the EMA, please direct all enquiries to Lee Scott.