Senior Attorney- Oceania

The Senior Attorney- Oceania provides legal services on complex matters to advance Conservancy priorities and appropriately manage risk.

The Senior Attorney- Oceania provides legal services on complex matters for assigned programs, including Australia and New Zealand business units.  Assignments may also include Papua New Guinea and/or the Solomon Islands business units, and as needed any other business unit in the Asia-Pacific Region. Ensures that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the Conservancy’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. Clearly articulates complex legal concepts and options to assigned programs.

This can be a fully remote role (pending country rules regarding remote work) where the chosen candidate is located or willing to relocate at their own expense (no visa/sponsorship), in Australia OR New Zealand.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Assists in structuring activities, transactions and projects to most effectively achieve Conservancy goals. 

• Reviews organizational documents and prepares and examines contracts which may involve government grants, leases, licenses, purchases, sales, insurance, easements, etc.

• Influences decision-makers in assigned programs through strong communication skills.

• Manages outside counsel effectively. 

• Performs special projects as requested by department management. 

• Serves as the primary legal contact for various clients.

• Advises on governance issues where TNC has related entities.

• Travel occasionally; work long or flexible hours as needed.

• May supervise and/or provide guidance to less experienced attorneys and/or paralegals and other support staff.

Do you want to build on your transactional experience in a mission-driven organization. Come join TNC’s growing legal team. As a Senior Attorney, you will provide high-value legal services on complex matters around the world to advance TNC’s priorities and appropriately manage risk.

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent and current license to practice law; willing and able to obtain license in a jurisdiction within TNC’s Asia-Pacific region.

• 3 years’ experience practicing law in Australia and/or New Zealand, or at least 5 years relevant legal experience for another geographic area.

• Experience negotiating complex, transactions and agreements.

• Experience working across cultures.

• Legal experience in Papua New Guinea and/or Solomons Islands

• Legal experience in one or more jurisdiction(s) in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Multi-lingual skills

• Legal experience in Australia in any of the following practice areas: 

  • Real estate

  • Corporate, contracts, and transactions

  • Governance

  • Workplace Health and Safety

  • Non-Profit and charities, and relevant tax regulatory matters

  • Indigenous and traditional owner matters

  • Construction

  • Land use regulatory

  • Government relations

• Ability to work across time zones and with diverse teams

• Ability and willingness to learn new legal areas and legal tools (including AI)

• In-house experience and/or law firm experience advising sophisticated clients and senior management.

• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.

• Ability to work across time zones and with diverse teams

• Ability and willingness to learn new legal areas and legal tools (including AI)

• In-house experience and/or law firm experience advising sophisticated clients and senior management.

• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.

• Working knowledge of current trends in relevant discipline.

This position is based in Australia or New Zealand where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. Pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world! 
TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected]  with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.