Senior Legal Counsel

• Contribute to a purpose-driven organisation where your legal expertise supports meaningful outcomes for our customers
• Be part of a supportive, experienced Legal team that values collaboration and shared success
• Enjoy genuine flexibility and work–life balance, with hybrid options and openness to candidates across Australia

About the role

If you have strengths in retail banking, you'll play a crucial role in providing legal advice, services and support in respect of our business while working closely with key business stakeholders. This position will offer you an ideal balance between independent work whilst collaborating within a supportive and dedicated in-house legal team. If you are looking for an opportunity that combines autonomy with teamwork, this role is for you. 

In this rewarding and fast paced role, you will report to the Head of Legal - Banking as you strive to deliver solution-focused legal advice for retail banking in relation to a broad range of matters.  

Your responsibilities will include:

• Collaborating with business stakeholders, including external legal providers, to support business initiatives and legal risk management activities
• Contributing to internal projects and working groups focused on in-business change, regulatory requirements, and compliance.
• Providing key legal advice in the context of change across the banking business including  regulatory interpretation, product development and operational matters
•  Advising and supporting the business with respect to banking related legal disputes and litigation, information requests and inquiries
• Supporting regulator engagement activity and ensuring all legal aspects are managed efficiently
• Developing tools for the legal team and the business to support efficient delivery and optimisation of legal services 
• Arranging, preparing and delivering training for business units as required
• Managing matters that arise in relevant courts and tribunals 
• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with internal stakeholders, external legal providers and industry representatives
• Preparing Committee and Board reporting papers 
• Monitoring changes in external and internal environment for new or changing legal risks 

About you

To be considered, you'll have experience in either in-house or in private practice with experience in banking considered highly advantageous. You will have a proactive approach to identifying and analysing legal risks and be focused on providing strategic, commercially-focused solutions. Additionally, your work history will demonstrate your innate ability to operate in a highly regulated, fast-paced environment where you are able to problem solve a variety of situations within tight timeframes. Similarly, your recent work history will demonstrate your excellent communication and interpersonal skills  and ability to collaborate, build, and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.  

Who are we? 

People First Bank is powered by People's Choice and Heritage Bank. With over 720,000 members and 1,900 employees, we are committed to creating a better future for our members and the communities we serve. We have dual head offices in Toowoomba and Adelaide, and 95 branches across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, trading under brands: People First Bank, Heritage Bank and People's Choice.

Putting 'People First' starts with our team members and we are committed to creating an outstanding working environment where you feel supported, can continue to develop and are proud advocates of our members and our business.

Benefits of working for us   

We believe the little extras can make a big difference in supporting your success. That's why we offer great incentives and benefits including:

• Work from anywhere philosophy with the flexibility to work from home or in the office
• Career development opportunities, and ongoing training, coaching and support
• A dedicated Employee Assistance Program for you and your family to access in times of need
• Paid volunteering days and access to a diverse range of community and charitable initiatives

If this sounds like you, then this is the next step in your career. Click 'Apply' now and submit your application, including a cover letter and current resume.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and support candidate requests for adjustments to accommodate disability, illness or injury, to enable everyone to equitably participate in our selection process.