Legal and Compliance Counsel - General Insurance, New Zealand

A new transformational adventure awaits you…

How does 5 weeks of annual leave, a fulfilling career you'll genuinely enjoy, and working for a reputable organization that promotes wellbeing and drives digital transformation sound to you?

As one of Forbes 2024 ‘World’s Best Employers’ and Fortune’s ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ for 2025, Zurich - a leader in the insurance industry, is on a journey towards a brighter future… A brighter future for you - focused on your career, your wellbeing, and your community - as well as our customers and the planet.

Join us on this thrilling journey as we work towards our vision of becoming Australia's leading digital insurer. If you're eager to be part of a values-driven global organisation that's experiencing real growth and transformation, and if you share our commitment to making a tangible difference and taking continuous steps towards a sustainable future for our people, customers, communities, and our planet, then keep reading!
 

Let’s create a brighter future together, let’s make a difference

It’s important to know, what you do matters. At Zurich, we don’t just cover, we care.

A great opportunity exists for a Legal and Compliance Counsel – New Zealand, reporting directly into the Head of Legal – Insurance in Australia, with a matrix reporting line to the General Manager, New Zealand.

You will provide in-house legal, regulatory, and compliance advice to support Zurich’s General Insurance operations in New Zealand. In line with applicable laws and regulatory expectations, you will enable the business to achieve its strategic and operational objectives, safeguard its interests, and identify, manage, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.

In particular, the role supports the delivery of legal and compliance advice across a wide range of business activities, including product development, marketing, distribution, customer communications, and regulatory compliance. You will also assist with complaints and dispute resolution, incident and breach management, and governance and assurance matters.

The role involves providing clear, solution-focused legal and compliance advice on a variety of business initiatives and matters for the Zurich General Insurance business, including:

• Product structuring, policy wordings, and distribution arrangements
• Financial services and distribution laws
• Internal process reviews across product, underwriting, and claims
• Regulatory compliance, reporting obligations, and inquiries
• Local compliance training and assurance activities
• Legislative developments and policy implementation
• General corporate assistance including licensing, privacy, whistleblowing, and fit and proper assessments

Important to your success – let’s grow together

• Recognised New Zealand legal qualifications and eligible to practice law in New Zealand with a current practicing certificate.
• Six to eight years’ post-qualification experience in corporate, commercial, or financial services law, with demonstrated experience in the general insurance industry.
• Strong understanding of New Zealand legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to the financial services sector.
• Skilled in analysing, documenting, and presenting facts to support an organisational position related to legislation.
• Initiative and problem-solving skills, with ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Strong analytical ability, balanced with commercial business understanding, able to synthesise information and devise alternative resolution strategies.
• Ability to receive instructions, assess issues analytically, and communicate advice clearly and in a non-legalistic way.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build and maintain trustful relationships at all organisational levels, and demonstrate professional, tactful customer relationship skills.

Belong. Zurich is here to support you

 
There are so many reasons why Zurich is a great place to be and the right choice for you, but here are just a few.

• Enjoy 5 weeks of annual leave for permanent staff through our Z leave initiative, along with 15 days of personal/carer’s leave as we empower our people to manage their own wellbeing. Plus, access to Family Care (parental leave).
• Benefit from a hybrid working arrangement – 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home per week for full-time employees.
• Access programs to stay healthy and feel healthier, receive an AUD$500 wellbeing payment per year, and a AUD$295 new starter e-voucher for your work-from-home setup (flex work - hybrid working), along with other great benefits through our Shine portal.
• Grow and thrive in your career with our award-winning training programs. We support and encourage your development because our strength lies in our people, and we value your individuality.
• Work with global, diverse, and inclusive teams; explore your passions, fuel innovation, drive equity, collaborate, and make a positive difference beyond your role.
• Take advantage of global mobility opportunities across more than 200 countries worldwide.
• Volunteer and work in our state-of-the-art Green Star rated offices (when you are in the office) and dress for your day.
• We plant a tree for every new employee.
• Not to mention our various employer of choice awards/memberships – WGEA; Family Inclusive Workplace; Gold AWEI Employer, Pride in Diversity… to name a few.

We could go on, but the main point is that Zurich is a great place to be, where you can truly belong, be yourself, maintain work/life balance, and thrive in a supportive environment. 
 

Zurich is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair and accessible for all candidates. If you require any special accommodations to participate in our recruitment process, we encourage you to please let us know at the time of your application.  
 

So, if you want to come on an adventure that will build a brighter future together, and feel a sense of togetherness, then please apply today to start your adventure!