03rd May, 2026
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives enabling you to do the best work of your life. You can experience a world of opportunities to shape a career as unique as you.
WSP is one of the world’s top professional services firms, bringing together some of the brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe. We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. We see the world through a Future Ready® lens, fuelled by a shared commitment to making a positive impact—one project and community at a time.
The role
Reporting to the General Counsel (Australia), the Head of Legal is responsible for leading WSP New Zealand’s in-country legal team and providing pragmatic, business-focused legal support across a diverse, project-based consulting environment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing an established New Zealand legal team
- Managing claims, disputes and litigation, including support for Health & Safety investigations and regulatory matters
- Overseeing client contract negotiation frameworks and contract risk management in a high-volume delivery environment
- Supporting commercial and supplier contracting, including development of practical policies and playbooks
- Implementing and maintaining Delegation of Authority and governance frameworks
- Partnering on privacy, data protection, and regulatory compliance matters
- Supporting M&A due diligence and integration activities as required
This role operates within a global matrix, balancing local accountability with alignment to global legal and governance requirements.
Location
Auckland or Wellington preferred. Other locations by arrangement.
About you You are a senior in-house lawyer who brings a commercial, delivery-focused mindset and enjoys working closely with the business to enable outcomes.
You will offer:
- Admission as a qualified solicitor and eligibility to hold a New Zealand practising certificate
- Significant in-house legal experience (typically 10+ years), ideally within professional services, engineering, infrastructure, construction or project-based environments
- Strong capability across disputes and litigation management, commercial and client contracting, and regulatory compliance
- Experience operating at a senior leadership or sub-executive level, influencing stakeholders rather than working purely as technical counsel
- A pragmatic approach to risk, with the ability to balance legal integrity and commercial priorities
- A collaborative, calm and credible leadership style, and confidence operating within a global matrix environment
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. We are proud to have the blueprint of Aotearoa New Zealand in our DNA and our 2,000+ expert professionals in 24 offices are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve.
Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 70,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.
With us, you can. Apply today. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in a senior legal leadership role, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Moana Temel, Director, Niche Recruitment for a confidential discussion or to request an information pack. M: 021 499 902 E: moana.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz.
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter via the
Apply Now button by the closing date of
9am Monday, 25 May 2026.
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