Legal Counsel - Employment Relations

Company Description

The Warehouse Group looks after some of Aotearoa’s iconic brands - The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, and Noel Leeming. Our purpose at The Warehouse Group (TWG) is ‘Helping Kiwis live better every day” and this guides how we show up every day.  We have recently embraced a brand-led model, ensuring we remain laser-focused on our customers and markets specific to them.  Retail is more competitive than ever, and we need to bring our A game! 

Are you passionate about people and keen on making a tangible impact within a dynamic retail environment? We're on the lookout for an Employment Relations Legal Counsel who thrives on managing risks, building relationships, solving problems, and driving the right positive change. 

In this role, you'll be more than just a point of contact; you'll be a vital part of a team that shapes the culture and success of TWG! 

Job Description

As our ER Legal Counsel, you will be responsible for managing our employment relations risk and general employment law compliance across all our Brands. As an experienced employment lawyer, you will support the development and implementation of the ER strategy and plan for the Group, and be a critical trusted advisor in times of change.  You will be relied on for bringing your deep legal knowledge and practical employment law experience to advise on day to day ER issues and an understanding of business drivers to support commercial outcomes.  

This role will work closely with the CHRO, our HR Business Partnering teams, our GM leadership group and with our Union counterparts. The role supports across all our brands within our store network, distribution centres and our support offices to provide prompt legal advice and guidance.  

Drawing on your toolkit of skills and experience you will: 

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders by providing influential advice which balances practical, legal and commercial considerations 
• Support TWG in being compliant with NZ employment legislation
• Provide sound advice on complex ER issues including employment litigation, personal grievances and restructuring
• Carry out and advise on complex or confidential employment related investigations (such as bullying or sexual harassment claims) 
• Work with external counsel to seek advice on discrete issues or run litigation, where appropriate 
• Support and advise on TWG’s collective bargaining and industrial relations matters 
• Ensure ER/IR processes are delivered consistently within areas of the business  
• Provide independent advice on confidential and sensitive matters to the appropriate stakeholder level within TWG 
• Coaching, teaching and supporting HR Business partners to improve their understanding of the law and ER issues generally 
• Support with any updates and improvements of TWG’s employment documentation (such as policies, procedures, guides and employee agreements) 

Qualifications

Our Wishlist: 

• Passionate about employment law and providing pragmatic, commercial advice 
• Natural and confident collaborator who can build trust and influence at a senior level  
• Problem solver who brings creative ideas to the table while staying compliant 
• We are fast-paced, multi-site and complex business so you will need to be able to juggle multiple tasks without losing sight of the finer details  
• Customer centric with a growth mindset  
• A team player who thrives in a supportive team environment 

Qualifications/experience: 

• New Zealand Law Society practising certificate with at least 5+ years’ experience as an employment lawyer, either in private practice or inhouse  
• Extensive experience in managing complex ER issues including employment litigation, personal grievances, large scale restructuring, outsourcing, holidays compliance etc 
• Deep understanding of New Zealand employment law as well as Union relations and advising on collective bargaining 
• Strong commercial and business acumen  
• Strong communication and observation skills to teach and convey messages in a professional manner with an array of stakeholders 

Additional Information

At TWG, we believe in giving people the opportunity to grow, develop and realise their career ambitions. 

When you join us, we offer a range of benefits that work for you, your lifestyle and your career which include: 

• Discounts across our brands 
• Paid birthday day off for permanent team members 
• Free parking at our Northshore support office 
• We value collaboration & flexibility – embracing hybrid working – up to 2 days working from home per week 
• Onsite gym and café at our Northcote support office 
• 26 weeks’ paid parental leave for permanent team members 
• A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities 

Are you ready to elevate your ER legal practice and grow your career across our well known family of Kiwi retail brands? Apply now!