Global Leading company
- Legal, Governance and Company Secretarial Focus
- Brisbane based
Sugar Research Australia (SRA), Australia's specialist sugarcane research organisation, was established in 2013 as a sugarcane grower
- and miller-owned company. SRA is the declared Industry Services Body for the Australian sugarcane industry and was created through an amalgamation of two former entities, the Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) and BSES (The bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations). It plays a critical role helping to shape the future prosperity of the industry by using its research and development activities in innovative ways. The impending retirement of the legal counsel and company secretary has created this vacancy.
The role reports to the CEO, except when acting as Company Secretary, you will report to the Board Chair. As the sole inhouse lawyer, you must provide professional legal advice on a broad range of areas covering commercial, contracts, IP, property, procurement and insurance. You will manage the insurance arrangements and policy framework, as well as supporting the Board and CEO on corporate governance.
The key role challenges are to:
- Establish strong, cohesive working relationships with the CEO, Executive and Board;
- Comprehend the complex operating and political environment SRA works under, and assist the CEO by providing timely, pragmatic advice to navigate issues as they arise;
- Streamline the governance processes to improve risk assessment, productivity and adherence to regulations and governance requirements;
- Coach the Executives to prepare succinct, informative Board papers that assist with their strategic decision making;
- Develop and implement an onboarding process that helps Board members more quickly understand the strategic direction and current issues being faced by SRA, enabling better alignment between the Board and Executive.
A qualified lawyer with at least 5 years post admission experience with exposure to various legal areas and solid knowledge of corporations, contract and IP law is essential. Prior dealings with a Board ideally in a public company limited by guarantee, either as a Company Secretary or an Assistant Company Secretary is almost essential. Your exceptional interpersonal and communication skills have enabled you to build strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders. Your proven ability to analyse complex matters, identify issues and develop solutions allow you to make pragmatic recommendations that maximise the operational and financial performance. You will have worked in complex nuanced environments that require you to be commercially and politically astute.
**1006783. **Any enquiries direct to
**Peter Murphy (0429703 234) or Natasha Kaunitz (0434 371 531)