Purpose of the role: Newcastle based, Hybrid Working
This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation in banking. You will work closely with procurement teams, project teams, and business stakeholders to support high-value commercial and strategic initiatives, ensuring our Group remains resilient to operational risks and disruptions in a highly regulated environment.
We're seeking an accomplished legal practitioner to play an integral role in our commercial team supporting NGM Group in meeting its regulatory, contractual, and other legal obligations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Provide expert, commercially focused legal advice, risk-based solutions and support on various legal, risk, and governance issues to all levels of the business.
* Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, including goods and services agreements, IT/system/software licensing agreements, strategic partnership/alliance and sponsorship agreements, securitisation agreements, wholesale funding agreements, distribution agreements, commercial leases, and property transactions.
* Partner with procurement teams and project stakeholders to structure contracts that align with strategic objectives, comply with internal governance, and mitigate legal and operational risks. Support the development and optimisation of contract management frameworks, including templates, processes, and best practices.
* Engage with senior leaders and business partners, confidently asking critical questions to ensure contractual clarity, mitigate risks, and maintain commercial competitiveness.
* Work collaboratively in an agile team environment, adapting to business needs and proactively contributing to cross-functional initiatives and strategic priorities.
* Contribute to strategic initiatives and AI-driven legal operations, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
Requirements:
* Extensive knowledge and experience in commercial law and corporate law.
* Experience in banking or financial services law (desirable but not essential).
* Tertiary qualifications in law and admission as a legal practitioner in Australia (eligible for an NSW practising certificate).
* Sound knowledge of the Corporations Act, financial services law, and general corporate and commercial law.
* Strong interpersonal skills with significant experience in influencing and negotiating positive outcomes.
* SOUND knowledge of contract management legislative and regulatory requirements within financial services.
* Strong understanding of technology contracts, including software licensing, hosting arrangements, milestone-based vs staged contracts, and agile vs waterfall project structures (desirable).
* High attention to detail and ability to manage complex contracts, governance requirements, and legal risks.
* Proactive approach to problem-solving, critical thinking, and advising on business risks.
* Excellent time management and communication skills.
* Strong attention to detail and numeracy skills, with advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc).
Why Join Us?
* Be part of an award-winning legal team.
* Partner with a multi-brand corporate structure that includes a customer-owned bank and charitable foundation.
* Contribute to a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative environment that values business partnerships and proactive risk management.
What We Offer:
* Health and wellbeing; Fitness passport, corporate health insurance and annual flu vaccination.
* Lifestyle and giving back; Hotel discounts, 18 weeks paid parental leave, two community volunteers days and three recreational leave days per year.
* Professional advancement; Flexible work arrangements, recognition programs and employee referral program.