Senior Lawyer - Corporate Team, Wellington (Preferred) or Christchurch
Ministry of Social DevelopmentJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
MSD is seeking a Senior Lawyer to join its Corporate Team in Wellington (preferred) or Christchurch for a 12-month fixed-term/secondment to support key work programmes, including a large technology-enabled transformation. The role leads on corporate matters particularly contracting and information sharing, and collaborates across procurement, privacy, OIAs, delegations and health and safety while mentoring junior lawyers and building capability within MSD Legal. The ideal candidate has at least five years PQE, a current practicing certificate, excellent relationship-building and coaching skills, experience instructing and managing external counsel, and public sector or service-transformation experience is a strong advantage. To apply, submit online with your CV and a cover letter linking your experience to the key responsibilities; note that the cover letter is a critical part of the assessment; applications close 9 July 2026; salary 122,381 to 152,296.
12-month fixed-term/secondment available
- This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity to support key MSD work programmes, including one of New Zealand’s largest public sector technology-enabled transformation programmes.
- Join a team focused on delivering solution-focused legal advice on corporate matters
- Wellington is the preferred location but will consider Christchurch for the right candidate
Our Corporate Team is one of several legal teams within MSD Legal and is responsible for providing advice on corporate matters, including procurement, commercial and social sector contracting, privacy, OIAs, delegations and health and safety.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
We are looking for a senior lawyer experienced in leading advice on corporate matters, particularly in the areas of contracting (commercial and social sector) and information sharing. Experience in providing such advice in a public sector context and/or service transformation context is a strong advantage.
As a Senior Lawyer in the Corporate Team, you will work closely with a range of MSD business areas to identify legal risks to ensure MSD meets its legal and compliance obligations.
You will mentor and support other legal staff, contributing to the overall capability and excellence of MSD Legal.
The Senior Lawyer role involves working collaboratively with others in the Corporate Team and across MSD Legal.
MSD – services for the future is a multi-year programme to transform how MSD operates so we can deliver for New Zealanders and focus our resources and investment on the people who need it.
The programme will make significant changes to our underlying systems and introduce redesigned services that put people first. We’ll create better tools and processes for supporting people into employment, modernise our payment system and enable better ways of working with our social sector partners.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
Our ideal senior lawyer:
- Provides clear legal advice on complex issues
- Enjoys working collaboratively across a range of subject areas and has excellent relationship building skills
- Can coach, mentor, and develop lawyers
- Has experience in instructing and managing external legal counsel
- Is observant of trends in technology and government policy, and the impact this has on our work.
- Has a current practising certificate or the ability to immediately obtain one and we would prefer at least 5 years PQE.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $122,381.00 - $152,296.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Thursday 9th July 2026
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected]
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.
We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.