Legal Counsel at Southern Cross Healthcare

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

25 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

27 Mar, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Legal Advisory, Remediation Investigation, Risk Management, Dispute Resolution, Commercial Advice, Regulatory Compliance, Contracting, Legal Risk Assessment, Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Legal Interpretation, Case Law Application, Knowledge Sharing, Training

Industry

Insurance

Description

About us Southern Cross Health Insurance is shaping a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand. Our purpose is simple: empowering our members to live well for longer. We're here to give peace of mind through timely access to quality care, inspire healthier living, and lead positive change across the health system. As a New Zealand-owned, member-based organisation, we're building a future where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do -- delivering exceptional value for our members and creating an environment where our people thrive. Now is an exciting time to join us. You'll be part of a high-performing, values-driven team where people are at the heart of everything we do -- and in return for your talent, you'll have the opportunity to grow, make an impact, and be proud of the difference your work makes. About the role We're looking for a Legal Counsel to join Southern Cross supporting both the Remediation and Legal teams — a broad, substantive role that spans remediation and legal advisory, giving you real variety across two distinct but connected areas of work. This is a fixed-term opportunity (18 months). Why join us This is a role with genuine breadth. On any given week you might be advising on a complex remediation investigation, working through the legal dimensions of a dispute, or providing legal support on marketing campaigns. You'll work directly with business teams, bringing practical, commercially informed advice that helps Southern Cross make sound decisions and deliver good outcomes for our members. You'll also work across both our Remediation and Legal functions, applying your legal expertise in different contexts and building a strong understanding of how a regulated health insurer operates. This is a role for someone who enjoys variety, works well in a collaborative team, and wants their legal work to have real-world impact. About the opportunity As Legal Counsel, you'll operate across both the Remediation team and Legal team. In your remediation work, you'll provide risk-based legal advice to support investigations into potential customer harm - advising on the application of relevant legislation, regulatory guidance, and case law, and supporting the identification and assessment of legal risk. You'll work closely with remediation specialists and data analysts to ensure investigations are well-grounded and outcomes are fair. In your legal advisory work, you'll manage and advise on investigations, complaints, and dispute resolution, and partner with business across marketing and communications, product and our commercial contracting teams. You'll help the business understand its legal and regulatory obligations, shape pragmatic solutions, and contribute to building legal capability more broadly through knowledge-sharing and training. This role suits someone who is comfortable navigating ambiguity, translating complex legal issues into plain language, and working autonomously while remaining well-connected to the wider team. What you'll do Remediation focus Provide timely, pragmatic legal advice to support remediation investigations, planning, and execution Advise on the interpretation and application of relevant legislation, regulatory guidance, and case law as it applies to remediation activity Support the identification, articulation, and assessment of customer harm and legal risk Identify and escalate material legal risks, providing clear options and recommendations Support consistent application of remediation policy and guidance Legal focus Manage and advise on investigations, complaints, and dispute resolution matters Partner with business units to provide timely, practical legal advice across marketing and communications, product interpretation and commercial contracting. Advise on legal and regulatory obligations, helping the business understand risks, options, and implications Shape solutions that balance legal risk, strategic objectives, commercial opportunity, and member interests What you'll bring An LLB or equivalent, with a current New Zealand practising certificate At least 5 years' PQE, ideally with some in-house experience A solid understanding of the New Zealand financial services regulatory environment and regulator expectations Strong risk management capability, including handling sensitive data and customer outcomes Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills — able to translate complex legal matters into plain language Experience in dispute resolution or litigation Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate across teams A practical, solutions-focused approach that balances legal risk with commercial and strategic objectives Who we are Ngākau nui. Āhurutanga. Tikanga. Join a proud diverse team, that's always there, always real, always true. If you thrive in a caring, honest and open culture, we think you'll love working with us. We know that it is our team's culture and wellbeing that will drive us forward. That's why we prioritise not only professional development opportunities but opportunities to thrive personally, too. We offer exceptional work/life balance, and our employees are encouraged to — and rewarded for — living well. Southern Cross employee benefits include: Five days of wellbeing leave per year Health insurance for you and your immediate whānau Life insurance cover and discounts on pet and travel insurance Extra parental leave benefits and financial wellbeing support We are proud to be Rainbow Tick accredited, and we facilitate an active employee-led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum which supports many diverse groups including our Māori network, Pasifika Collective, Neurodiversity and Whānau Support networks. If you share our commitment and passion, we'd love to hear from you. About us Southern Cross Health Insurance is shaping a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand. Our purpose is simple: empowering our members to live well for longer. We’re here to give peace of mind through timely access to quality care, inspire healthier living, and lead positive change across the health system. As a New Zealand-owned, member-based organisation, we’re building a future where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do — delivering exceptional value for our members and creating an environment where our people thrive. Now is an exciting time to join us. You’ll be part of a high-performing, values-driven team where people are at the heart of everything we do — and in return for your talent, you’ll have the opportunity to grow, make an impact, and be proud of the difference your work makes.

Responsibilities

The Legal Counsel will operate across Remediation and Legal teams, providing risk-based legal advice for customer harm investigations and managing disputes, complaints, and legal support for marketing and commercial contracting.