- Broad generalist in-house role within a regulated banking environment
- High level of autonomy in a small, senior legal team
- Exposure to Bank work with development into Group matters
Heartland is also appointing a Senior Legal Counsel to provide senior-level legal leadership across its New Zealand operations.
Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this role sits at the centre of material transactions, regulatory obligations, product development and strategic initiatives. You will act as a trusted legal advisor to executives and senior leaders, providing clear, commercially grounded advice in a fast-moving, highly regulated, NZX-listed environment.
This role requires strong judgement, confidence and the ability to operate comfortably at executive level.
Why this role exists now
- Heartland continues to grow, digitalise and operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment
- The scale and nature of legal matters now require deeper senior in-house capability and judgement
- Regulatory expectations and listed issuer obligations have increased in both scope and scrutiny
- The legal function is being strengthened to ensure earlier, more proactive involvement in strategic and commercial decision-making
What you’ll be doing
- Provide senior legal advice and transactional support on material transactions and complex commercial matters
- Advise on regulatory and compliance obligations across a NZX-listed banking group
- Support product development and significant change programmes from a legal and regulatory perspective
- Ensure compliance with key legislative and regulatory frameworks, including banking, consumer credit and financial markets regulation
- Manage and instruct external legal counsel, ensuring quality, efficiency and proportionality
- Partner closely with executives and senior leaders on risk, compliance and decision-making
- Contribute to the strategic development of the in-house legal function and early identification of emerging legal issues
- Support company secretariat responsibilities and engagement with regulators and external stakeholders
What we’re looking for
- 10+ years’ PQE in banking and financial services, corporate or commercial law
- Experience across both private practice and in-house environments preferred
- Exposure to NZX-listed or similarly regulated organisations
- Strong executive presence and commercial judgement
- Ability to navigate complexity with clarity and confidence
- Values-led, resilient and pragmatic in approach
This role offers breadth, influence and the opportunity to help shape how a growing bank manages risk, regulation and opportunity.
For a copy of the candidate pack, or for a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Richard Gray-Smith at INSIDE Recruitment.
