The Legal Counsel provides strategic and operational legal support to SSP Australia & New Zealand, ensuring the business operates within a robust legal and governance framework while enabling commercial growth. As the primary legal resource for the A&NZ business, the Legal Counsel operates with a high degree of autonomy, balancing commercial pragmatism with robust risk management. This role is the primary legal advisor to the Regional Managing Director A&NZ and Senior Leadership Team, providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal guidance across a broad range of matters including commercial contracts, property and lease arrangements, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and risk management. Working closely with the APAC and Group Legal teams, the Legal Counsel ensures alignment with global legal standards while supporting the local business to navigate the regulatory environment and deliver on its strategic objectives. Main Responsibilities Commercial Contracts & Property Review, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including tenancy and lease agreements, construction contracts, franchise agreements, supplier agreements, service agreements and marketing partnerships. Provide commercially pragmatic legal advice to support negotiations and protect the organisation’s interests while enabling business growth. Identify and mitigate contractual risks while ensuring agreements align with company strategy and regulatory obligations. Support the business in managing contractual relationships and resolving disputes where required. Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance Lead and oversee legal compliance across the A&NZ business, ensuring adherence to local regulatory requirements and group governance standards. Manage and coordinate local implementation and reporting obligations including Modern Slavery, Human Rights, Privacy, Whistleblower frameworks, Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC), Corporate Sustainability and other statutory or group compliance requirements. Act as the key point of contact for corporate governance and company secretarial matters in Australia, ensuring statutory compliance and effective governance practices. Monitor emerging legal and regulatory developments and provide proactive guidance on their implications for the business. Strategic Legal Advisory Act as a trusted advisor to the Regional Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, providing clear and practical legal advice on risk, governance and commercial opportunities. Support business decision-making by identifying legal implications and recommending risk‑mitigation strategies. Contribute to key commercial initiatives, projects and negotiations to ensure legal considerations are embedded early in decision making. Stakeholder Capability & Risk Awareness Develop and deliver training and guidance to internal stakeholders on key legal and regulatory topics, including privacy, anti‑bribery and corruption, competition law and governance obligations. Promote a strong culture of compliance and ethical business practices across the organisation. Provide practical tools, frameworks and guidance to help teams manage legal risks effectively. Collaboration & Legal Operations Partner with the A&NZ team and APAC and Group Legal teams to ensure alignment with global legal strategies, policies and governance frameworks. Maintain effective legal documentation, contract management systems and record‑keeping processes. Manage external legal counsel where required, ensuring cost‑effective and high‑quality legal support. Qualifications Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor, with admission to practice in Australia. 5–8+ years post‑qualification experience (PQE) gained in a reputable law firm and/or in‑house legal environment. Demonstrated experience advising on corporate and commercial law, with exposure to consumer law, property/leasing and construction agreements. Strong background in reviewing, drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including procurement agreements, services and consultancy agreements, NDAs, MoUs, supplier agreements and partnership arrangements. Experience supporting commercial negotiations and strategic projects in a fast‑paced or multi‑site environment. Exposure to regulatory compliance and corporate governance frameworks, including areas such as privacy, modern slavery, anti‑bribery and corruption, and whistleblower obligations. Experience working within a regional or global organisation and collaborating with international legal teams is advantageous. Experience in retail, hospitality, food & beverage, franchising, travel retail or multi‑site operations is highly desirable. Ability to work in fast paced and complex environments. Interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships, working with diverse environments. SSP are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer that seeks to recruit and retain the most talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds, skills and perspectives. #J-18808-Ljbffr