Legal Counsel (In-House)

Christchurch Head Office based | Permanent | Full-time or Part-time considered

At Jade Software, our values are at the heart of everything we do: People First, Dare to Be Different, Live for the Future.

We build technology that helps organisations solve real-world complexity, from fighting financial crime to powering global supply chains and enterprise systems. Our products (including Jade Platform, ThirdEye and MADCAP) and bespoke solutions are trusted across six continents, more than 70 countries, and hundreds of cities.

We’re ambitious, people-centric, and grounded in building systems that are robust, scalable, and built to last. As part of the Skipton Group family, we’re backed by the strength and stability of a global organisation.

We’re growing and so is our legal function. Following the acquisition and integration of Contec/MADCAP, we’re expanding our in-house capability with a new Legal Counsel role to help us scale confidently, move faster, and reduce friction across commercial delivery.

The role

This is a newly created opportunity to provide high-quality, commercially focused legal advice and support across Jade, under the direction of the General Counsel. The role has a strong focus on customer contracts, commercial risk, regulatory compliance, and operational legal delivery.

You’ll partner closely with leaders and teams across the business, including commercial, sales, delivery, product, technology, and operations. And you’ll help build scalable legal ways of working (templates, playbooks, and guidance) that make it easier for teams to do the right thing.

Why this role is different

You’ll join a legal team that’s not just “review and approve.” We’re building a modern legal function that actively supports and enables growth.

This includes the opportunity to help embed AI-enabled tools to improve the speed, consistency, and quality of contract work and playbook development, particularly as we support MADCAP’s ongoing contracting needs and uplift.

What you’ll be doing

Building trusted relationships with key stakeholders and providing clear, pragmatic legal advice aligned to commercial outcomes. Your key areas of focus will include:

Commercial contracts & tenders: Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on customer and supplier contracts, tenders, and strategic commercial arrangements, supporting teams to land outcomes that protect Jade while enabling momentum.

Templates, playbooks & tools: Building and maintaining standard templates, guidance, and playbooks to improve speed, consistency, and risk management as the business scales.

Post-acquisition integration: Supporting legal initiatives tied to the Contec/MADCAP integration, including contract harmonisation and operating in a multi-entity environment.

Risk & compliance partnership: Identifying legal risk early, escalating material or novel risks appropriately, and partnering with risk stakeholders to embed sensible controls.

Disputes & external counsel: Coordinating and managing external counsel on agreed matters, ensuring quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness; supporting disputes and litigation matters alongside the General Counsel.

Governance support: Assisting with company secretarial and governance services, including Board and committee support where required.

About you

You’re a pragmatic, commercially minded lawyer who enjoys being close to the action and helping teams shape outcomes with confidence.

You’ll bring:

An LLB and admission as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (practising certificate preferred).

Post-qualification experience in commercial and/or corporate law, with strong drafting and negotiation capability.

Sound judgement, the ability to balance legal risk with business outcomes, and the confidence to communicate clearly and influence effectively.

Ideally, in-house experience (particularly in a technology, SaaS, or IP-led organisation) and/or exposure to post-acquisition integration and fast-moving growth environments.

Why Jade

We’re more than a tech company—we’re a team that believes work should be inspiring, inclusive, and enjoyable. At Jade, our people solve complex problems with real-world impact and celebrate wins together.

You’ll be part of a values-driven, People First culture that welcomes diverse perspectives and offers genuine opportunities to grow. We provide strong benefits, including insurance, wellbeing initiatives, and flexibility, supported by an office-first approach designed to foster collaboration and connection.

Our strength lies in our people. We value individuality and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, assessing applications based on skills, experience, and potential. With the right balance of flexibility and support, we empower our people to thrive and do their best work.

If you’re excited by variety, scale, and the opportunity to help build a modern legal function that enables a global tech business to grow, this could be your role.

To view a Position Description for this opportunity check out the role on our Careers Page or click here