Chief Legal Counsel

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An experienced HR and job hunting expert would describe this Chief Legal Counsel role as a pivotal, highly visible leadership position in Wellington that drives aviation safety through enterprise legal leadership, delivers high quality regulatory and privacy guidance, and leads the Legal Services team to support policy, enforcement and strategy. You will advise the CEO and Board on high risk matters, manage external counsel, and embed legal considerations across strategy and operations while acting as Privacy Officer. Essential: admitted NZ barrister with current practising certificate and ability to obtain security clearance, strong executive credibility and senior regulatory experience. To apply, submit an online CV and a tailored cover letter that clearly links your leadership, risk judgment, and governance experience to the role; closing 2 July 2026, salary and flexibility to start between $188,168 and $230,231, accessibility support available on request.

• Shape aviation outcomes through enterprise legal leadership
• Drive high-quality advice in a complex regulatory system
• Lead a trusted legal function

About the role

As Chief Legal Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal and regulatory integrity of New Zealand’s aviation system. You will lead expert advice on complex regulatory, public law, and privacy matters, guide a high-performing legal team, and bring clear, trusted judgement to critical organisational decisions. Your leadership will help ensure the Civil Aviation Authority continues to deliver a safe, secure, and trusted aviation system.

As part of the Regulatory Enablement and Response Leadership Team, you will contribute to the wider leadership, performance, and culture of the group, while providing strategic direction to the Legal Services function.

You will work across CAA as a trusted advisor, providing authoritative guidance on high-risk and complex matters and ensuring legal considerations are integrated into organisational strategy, policy, and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing strategic legal advice and overseeing legal risk, assurance, and compliance across the Authority
• Leading and developing a high-performing Legal Services team
• Acting as Privacy Officer and leading privacy and information governance
• Supporting regulatory and enforcement activities through sound legal guidance
• Managing external counsel, litigation, and key legal relationships
• Contributing to policy, legislation, and regulatory stewardship

The salary band for this role is $188,168 to $230,231. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You’ll Bring

This is a pivotal leadership role suited to an experienced legal professional who thrives in complex, high-impact environments and is motivated by contributing to public safety and regulatory excellence.

To succeed in this role, you’ll demonstrate:

• Significant senior legal leadership experience in a complex government or regulatory environment
• Proven ability advising Chief Executives, Boards, and senior leaders on high-risk matters
• Strong legal judgement, with the ability to apply legal risk in the context of broader organisational, operational, and strategic considerations
• Exceptional influencing and communication skills, with credibility at executive level
• A track record of building and leading high-performing legal teams
• Strong understanding of public sector accountability, regulatory stewardship, and governance

Essential requirements

• Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practising certificate
• Have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

About us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Ready to Apply?

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the skills required for this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected]

Applications close: Thursday 2 July 2026

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.