Head of Legal/ General Counsel

Grant Thornton Australia is one of the world's leading independently-owned and managed accounting, advisory and consulting firms.

Our culture is underpinned by a commitment to our clients, people and communities, and our promise to 'Reach for Remarkable' by providing proven expertise, principled execution, and personalised experience.

In Australia, we're proud to support the careers of over 1,500 remarkable people. With six offices nationally and partner firms in more than 145 markets, wherever you want to go, we can take you there.

About this role

Grant Thornton is looking to further enhance its Quality and Excellence team with the appointment of a Head of Legal/ General Counsel to co-ordinate our legal activities including co-ordinating our in-house legal function to manage our legal risks including negotiating and managing commercial client and supplier contracts, litigation risks, legal compliance, managing our legal team, developing legal systems and processes contracts and briefing external legal advisers as needed. 

The Legal team currently comprises the Head of Legal, Senior In-house Counsel and a Contracts Administrator with additional  support from an external panel firm contracts lawyer as needed.

As a key member of the Quality and Excellence Team, reporting to the National Managing Partner Quality and Excellence, you will play an important role in providing sound outcomes and commercial judgement across the firms legal matters. 

Key responsibilities

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Co-ordinate our legal activities including briefing external legal advisers

• Manage, supervise and develop our legal team

• Develop and maintain legal precedents, playbooks and processes to create efficiencies and scale legal support.

• Develop legal and risk policies and guardrails, including for use of vendor products and services.

• Keep abreast of legal, regulatory, and market developments in order to keep the business up to date. Including in the areas of Generative AI, Privacy, Cybersecurity, Modern Slavery, Sanctions, AFSL, Whistleblower, AML/CTF.

• Advise key stakeholders on the regulatory environment and assist them to identify and resolve legal and litigation risks

• Provide business-ready, sound and pragmatic legal advice across a variety of subject areas including commercial contracts, corporate law, data protection and privacy law.

• Advise internal stakeholders on legal risks and liabilities associated with commercial contracts and collaborate with external stakeholders (such as external legal)

• Ensure that commercial contractual matters are properly and efficiently negotiated, documented, and administered 

• Draft and review contracts and commercial terms of engagement with stakeholders and provide relevant change proposals; support the business during negotiations, and provide assistance with ongoing contract compliance

• Review, draft, and negotiate licenses; terms of use; policies and other documentation associated with the use and deployment at Grant Thornton of third-party technology products.

• Work closely with the Heads of Risk and Compliance to develop and maintain contract and agreement templates

• Maintain contract management procedures, including contracts registers, and provide periodic reports on contract matters

• Provide associated legal/commercial advice

• Advise on the management of disputes to avoid litigation and provide legal advice in relation to litigation strategy

• Provide ad-hoc legal advice to the Risk and Compliance teams and the business as required

Skills & experience

We're looking for an experienced Head of Legal who is hands on, with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to engage the business to effectively manage legal matters whilst fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusion.

The role will suit someone with the following skills, experience, and attributes:

• Experience with a top-tier or large mid-tier accounting firm; or top-tier or large mid-tier law or professional services firm

• Australian practicing certificate (unrestricted)

• The ability to work in and lead a small yet focussed team, while also being able to work alongside colleagues in our global network as/when required.

• Working knowledge of the legislative and regulatory environment relevant to our business operations.

• Strong experience across general commercial work including drafting, negotiating, and advising on a range of commercial contracts

• Well-developed commercial acumen to overlay the legal analysis and an ability to provide business-ready, practical legal advice in line with our risk appetite.

• Experience negotiating and drafting technology-related commercial agreements (software licensing, software services, licensing of AI-related products and services etc.)

• Experience in litigation and dispute management

• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects concurrently, whilst delivering exceptional business outcomes

• Have an analytical mind and the ability to approach problems independently, using critical thinking to develop and deliver innovative solutions

• Experience developing policies, frameworks, and legal risk guardrails.

If you're interested in this role but don't feel that you match every single one of our requirements, we would still love to hear from you and explore the unique skillset and attributes that you can bring to the team.

Reach your remarkable

At Grant Thornton we do things differently because we understand that when you strive for better and care about what you do remarkable things are possible. We're a dynamic and authentic mix of backgrounds, perspectives and ways of thinking. We're driven by our shared purpose – we care for our people, clients and communities and support them to thrive.

With us, you'll be exposed to challenging and rewarding opportunities – building your confidence and capabilities at every step. You'll be supported, motivated and inspired by a team of passionate and caring collaborators and leaders. You'll be empowered to build a career path that's tailored to you and encouraged to make a meaningful difference. And we'll make sure the excellence you deliver and the impact you make is always seen, felt and celebrated.

Remarkable perks that put you first:

• Balance work from home with collaborative team connection days

• Diverse and inclusive firm culture

• Mental health support, financial & wellbeing coaching

• Work alongside collaborative leaders and industry experts

• And many more

Need some help applying or participating in the recruitment process?

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for anyone who wishes to apply, and we warmly encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders, those in the LGBTQI+ community and individuals who identify as having disability or are neurodivergent.  Click here for recruitment support information and to learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Grant Thornton.

Should you have questions or require any adaptations or additional support for your individual circumstances so you may perform at your best during the application or recruitment process please contact our Talent Acquisition team at

As we provide fair consideration and evaluation to a high volume of applications, we endeavour to provide feedback on your application at the earliest opportunity.

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