Company Description
We believe that if we want to be a world class Kiwi Company, we shouldn’t just employ people, divide them into functional departments and tell them what to do. Instead, we defined a purpose - to solve what matters for our customers and their moving world - and go about achieving this by setting clear goals and expectations and embracing diversity of thought.

At Z, Customer Experience is at the heart of everything we do - our strategy, capability development and investment decisions. We're creating and continually developing products and digital channels our customers will love and that make their lives easier.

Job Description
Z's strategy is to optimise the core business in order to invest in a low carbon future.  A lot of the optimisation work is done, and we are ramping up work on building our low carbon future. This involves building partnerships, new products and services in a fast paced and dynamic environment and race for the future, including working with our customers on their own transitional journey. The Z of 2030 and 2050 needs to look very different to today and we are consciously choosing to invest in low-carbon revenue streams that are better for the planet and deliver a sustainable, viable future for our business.

We are currently resourcing our Legal Team to support Z’s goal of solving what matters for a moving world enabling our transition to a Low Carbon Future.

We are excited to welcome a Rōia Matua Senior Legal Counsel to our Legal team with a focus on providing expert advice around our Waro Iti Low Carbon Future initiatives. This role will provide enterprise leadership, strategic risk management and specialist legal advice while staying ahead of an emerging and changing market.

The advice provided will be related to our Low Carbon Future including the roll out of EV charging infrastructure at home and on the road, advising Flick, a fully owned Z subsidiary, advising on building solutions for customers using ICE’s and transitioning to EV’s, partnerships in alternative fuels such as SAF/ hydrogen. This is a fast-paced role requiring a strong balance of risk management and speed based on pragmatic and commercial partnership with the LCF team including membership of the LCF leadership team.

If you looking to use your legal expertise and impactful negotiation skills in an exciting and changing industry, we would love to kōrero.

You will have the opportunity to

• Provide specialist legal advice to our Low Carbon Futures initiatives, supporting value delivery and risk management solutions
• Be a member of the LCF leadership team and be fully immersed in all aspects of this business
• Guide negotiations and influence outcomes
• Review and negotiate documents, agreements, supplier contracts and other relationship arrangements
• Balance solid risk management with speed to market building self-help tools such as checklists and templates
• Take ownership, across the enterprise including working seamlessly with the AMPOL LCF team and within the Legal team
• Participate in and guide squads as legal support for key strategic outcomes
• Identify risks and opportunities, working with stakeholders on advocacy for Z

Qualifications
What you’ll bring to Z

• Significant experience in a legal role with some exposure to energy and electricity environments, PQE 7-10 years
• A relevant tertiary qualification in law and a current New Zealand practicing certificate
• Leadership experience, with both people/teams and pieces of work
• Strong knowledge of contract and commercial law
• The ability to influence and negotiate, ensuring beneficial outcomes
• Excellent written and oral presentation and communication skills
• Relationship building skills, across a range of levels – the wider business, senior leaders and external stakeholders
• Experience in a start-up, partnership, and/or innovative environment

And of course, you’ll be passionate about what matters to Z, embracing and living our values to help us deliver on our aspirations and broader commitment to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people in minority communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. At Z we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Additional Information
What we can offer you

• A competitive remuneration package including short-term incentive (bonus) plan, medical insurance for you and your family, enhanced employer contribution for KiwiSaver
• Generous leave provisions including enhanced sick leave, parental leave benefits and the option to buy additional leave
• The balance of hybrid working, enjoy some of your week at home and some in our welcoming office space
• The opportunity to contribute and be part of a supportive team that is here to make a difference
• A chance to build your own capability through learning from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable people who have a desire to share their insights along with access to upskilling opportunities and career development across the organisation
• Two days a year to do Good in your Hood, though our volunteering scheme, a chance for you to help others in your community in a meaningful way to you

The base salary range for this role is $188,700 to $210,000 per annum, plus 20% bonus based on company performance, a 5% KiwiSaver employer contribution and health insurance through Southern Cross.

Why Z?

Z is a dynamic and innovative Kiwi company that provides energy solutions for today while working on playing our part in Aotearoa’s shift towards a low-carbon future – a transition that we’re passionate about.

Being proudly Kiwi, we’re up for challenging the status quo, stand-up for what we believe is right and most importantly, we back our team to bring their true selves to work every day. Our flexible working approach and Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick accreditations - backed by our strong company values, Stand Up Tū Kaha, Speak Out Tū Maia, Side by Side Tū Kotahi - have created an open and inclusive workplace that promotes personal development, and is underpinned by a desire for our people and our communities to succeed.

One of the things we stand for at Z is Diversity & Inclusion. It is our belief that having a diverse workforce make it possible to deliver an extraordinary future and to solve what matters for a moving world. We encourage diversity in all its forms and as part of this journey we welcome and support applications from candidates that identify as neuro-diverse. We are committed to making and providing appropriate adjustments to our recruitment and onboarding process. If you want to have a chat about what these adjustments and accommodations are or ways that we can support you please get in touch at jobs@z.co.nz

We’re distinctive in our approach and if you’re up for a challenge, we’d love you to be part of it. If this sounds like a place you believe you can add value and grow your own capability, then make sure you read Our Why, it’s our founding document and provides further insights in what it means to part of the Z whānau. If Z feels like a good match for your head and your heart, come join us for one heck of a journey!

Whakauru | Apply

Apply now!

Please include a cover letter in your application, telling us why you’re a great fit for Z.

Applications close: Sunday 16th July 2023

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.

To be considered for this position you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.