General Counsel

General Counsel – Selwyn Water Limited

• Strategic legal leadership and governance
• Trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board
• Canterbury | Rolleston Based

Shape the future of water services in Waikirikiri Selwyn

Water is one of our most valuable assets, and how we manage it today will shape our future. Safe, reliable and resilient water services are essential to the wellbeing of our communities, now and for future generations.

Selwyn Water is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) responsible for delivering drinking water and wastewater services across Waikirikiri Selwyn. We bring together specialist expertise and a long-term focus to support a growing district and deliver the water services our communities rely on.

We’re a highly committed team working in a dynamic and agile environment, building Selwyn Water for the future. As our organisation grows and evolves, our people have the opportunity to help shape how we work and the services we deliver.

We have a strong vision for the future of Selwyn Water and are focused on delivering safe, reliable and affordable services and doing the best for our communities.

For more information go to: www.selwynwater.co.nz

The Role

Based in Rolleston, approximately 20 minutes from Christchurch, and reporting to the Director Organisational Enablement, the General Counsel is Selwyn Water's chief legal officer and a key member of the Organisational Enablement Group.

This role provides strategic legal leadership across the organisation and serves as the principal legal advisor to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board. You will lead the legal function, shape governance frameworks, manage enterprise legal risk and ensure Selwyn Water meets its legal and regulatory obligations.

As a trusted advisor, you will provide expert guidance on complex legal, governance and regulatory matters, supporting sound decision-making across the organisation. You will also play a pivotal role in navigating an evolving legislative environment as water sector reform continues across New Zealand.

This is a broad and influential role encompassing corporate governance, litigation management, land access frameworks, statutory compliance, privacy, official information requests, policy development and stakeholder management. You will lead a small legal team and work closely with internal stakeholders and external legal providers to deliver practical, high-quality legal solutions that support organisational objectives.

Skills and Experience

You will be an experienced legal professional with strong commercial acumen, exceptional judgement and the ability to provide pragmatic legal advice in a complex and highly regulated environment.

You will also bring:

• Qualified lawyer with a current New Zealand Practising Certificate
• Minimum 10 years' post-qualification experience, including significant experience in senior in-house counsel, principal legal advisor or General Counsel roles
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a legal team within a complex organisation
• Proven experience advising chief executives, executive teams and boards on legal risk, governance and regulatory compliance matters
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance principles and experience supporting board and committee processes
• Experience managing litigation, disputes, negotiations and external legal service providers
• Expertise in legal risk management and interpreting complex legislation and regulatory requirements
• Experience providing advice on land access, property rights, easements, licences, landowner agreements or statutory access arrangements within infrastructure, utilities, local government or related sectors
• Strong relationship management, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of an organisation
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and bicultural capability development

Experience within local government, water services, utilities, infrastructure or another highly regulated environment will be highly regarded. Experience across both private practice and in-house legal settings would also be advantageous

The opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to establish and lead the legal function of a newly established water services organisation at a pivotal time of growth and transformation.

You will have the opportunity to shape governance, influence strategic decision-making and provide leadership on complex legal and regulatory matters that directly impact the future of water services in Selwyn. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board, you will play a critical role in helping Selwyn Water deliver on its purpose of providing safe, reliable and affordable water services for generations to come.

To apply, please prepare your cover letter and CV and click the 'Apply' button. Confidential initial enquiries are welcome by emailing [email protected].

Applications for this role close 5.00pm on 26 October 2026.