An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join the Australian operations of a highly successful global organisation in a newly created, Greenfield legal role.

This is a rare opportunity to become the primary legal adviser to the Australian business, with genuine autonomy to build and shape the local legal function. You will establish trusted relationships across the organisation, strengthen legal and compliance frameworks and influence how Legal partners with the business going forward.

While operating with significant local autonomy, you will also benefit from the resources, infrastructure and support of established Regional and Group Legal & Compliance functions internationally.

About the Client:

Our client is a highly successful global organisation with a significant and established presence in Australia. Operating across industrial, manufacturing and construction markets, the business provides specialist products and solutions to a diverse customer base.

The Australian operations combine the scale, resources and sophistication of a multinational organisation with a highly commercial and operationally focused local environment.

As the business continues to evolve, it is now making an important investment in establishing a dedicated Australian legal capability, creating an excellent opportunity for an experienced lawyer to build something of their own within the security and sophistication of a global organisation.

The Chance:

Reporting into senior leadership and working closely with stakeholders across Sales, Procurement, Operations, Finance and HR, you will act as the central point of contact for legal matters across the Australian business.

The Greenfield nature of the position is a genuine differentiator.



Rather than inheriting a large established legal team, you will have the opportunity to shape the function, establish appropriate processes and frameworks and define how legal support is delivered across the organisation.

The role is exceptionally broad, encompassing commercial contracting, corporate advisory, disputes, governance, compliance and broader legal risk management. The successful candidate will also manage external counsel and work closely with international Legal & Compliance colleagues.

Key Responsibilities:

You will take ownership of a diverse legal portfolio including:

- Acting as the primary legal contact and trusted adviser to senior management across the Australian business;
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements including supply, procurement, distribution, agency, services, leasing and financing arrangements;
- Owning the end-to-end contract review, negotiation and approval process;
- Advising across commercial, corporate, employment, competition, regulatory and environmental matters;
- Managing litigation and disputes, including strategy, settlement negotiations and the appointment and management of external counsel;
- Supporting corporate governance, statutory filings, delegations, powers of attorney and corporate changes;
- Leading and strengthening compliance frameworks across anti-bribery and corruption, competition, privacy, trade compliance,



whistleblowing and investigations;
- Advising on legal and regulatory issues associated with an operational and manufacturing environment; and
- Proactively identifying legal and compliance risks and developing practical, commercially focused solutions.

About You: You will be an accomplished commercial lawyer with at least 8 years' post-qualification experience, ideally gained through a combination of reputable private practice and senior in-house experience. You will possess strong commercial contracting capability and be admitted to practise in Australia or New Zealand.

Importantly, you will be attracted to the opportunity to operate in a Greenfield environment. You will enjoy building rather than simply maintaining, be comfortable working autonomously and possess the commercial judgement and confidence required to become a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders.

Experience within manufacturing, industrial, construction, engineering or another operationally complex environment will be highly regarded.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take on a role with genuine ownership and visibility.

You will have the mandate to help establish the Australian legal function, shape its processes and ways of working and become a key adviser to the business, while still having the backing and resources of a sophisticated global organisation.

For a Senior Legal Counsel looking for greater autonomy — or an experienced senior in-house lawyer ready to step into a broader standalone mandate — this is an opportunity to build, influence and genuinely make the role your own. The position specifically requires someone capable of advising senior management and operating as a standalone legal lead.

📌 Senior Legal Counsel (Sydney)
🏢 Sharp & Carter
📍 Sydney