Head of Legal ANZ

At Hitachi Energy our purpose is advancing a sustainable​ energy future for all. We bring power to our homes, schools, hospitals and factories. Join us and work with fantastic people, while learning and developing yourself on projects that have a real impact to our communities and society. Bring your passion, bring your energy, and be part of a global team that appreciates a simple truth: Diversity + Collaboration = Great Innovation

Hitachi Energy’s business offers power and automation products, systems, service and software solutions across the generation, transmission and distribution value chain. Hitachi Energy provides products which help enhance the safety, reliability and efficiency of power networks while minimizing environmental impact. Our technological leadership continues to drive developments in areas such as ultra-high-voltage power transmission, battery energy storage systems, smart grids and other projects enhancing eco-efficiency. An exciting opportunity is now available to join Hitachi Energy as the Head of Legal – Australia and New Zealand. In this role you will set and execute the legal governance strategy for the Australian and New Zealand businesses; provide commercially focused expert senior level legal advice to the Executive Leadership Team and the Region/Group Functions/Businesses/Hub to ensure Hitachi Energy operates fully within the law and the company risk framework at all times; advise on individual and corporate legal obligations and rights so as to protect the company’s interests; and be an active member of the Australian Country Leadership Team.

Your responsibilities

• Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team to implement company strategies and initiatives in a risk aware manner including populating the legal sections of the Risk Review database; and presenting on legal risks at both the regional and global risk review meetings.
• Providing thought leadership and developing awareness of legal issues and their implications across all areas of the business.
• Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, interpreting and advising on legal documents in collaboration with the business to achieve the best commercial outcome whilst mitigating risk.
• Advising on claims liability, legal rights and obligations and overseeing all disputes and litigation matters.
• Anticipating and identifying relevant legislative and compliance changes and providing advice to the business on opportunities or threats arising from them.
• Proactively developing effective legal strategies and practical solutions to address legal issues.
• Ensuring both local and global legal directives and instructions are implemented.
• Managing insurance matters (with the support of the Regional Insurance Manager) including policy renewals and any claims.
• Facilitating and coordinating the use of external legal providers, including preparing instructions that clearly define the terms of reference for the engagement; ensuring that quotes are provided for all advice; and monitoring spend to ensure quotes are not exceeded.
• Planning and coordinating legal training for the business.
• Managing, mentoring and monitoring the Legal Team including ensuring it has the capabilities required to service the evolving core legal requirements of the business; setting performance targets and reviewing these on an ongoing basis; and setting the legal budget and ensuring compliance with it.
• Acting as the Company Integrity Officer responsible for implementing the Code of Conduct and running integrity training at regular intervals; undertaking integrity investigations when requested by the Office of Special Investigations; and maintaining and updating local integrity policies as required.
• Acting as the Company Secretary for the various group companies including supporting the Board of Directors by monitoring and ensuring that Board policy and procedures are followed; ensuring compliance with the provisions of the company constitutions; maintaining the Company registers including the register of members and directors; inducting of new Directors; providing advice on the alignment between strategy, governance, legislation and policies; ensuring quality and timely distribution of Board agendas and Board papers; and taking minutes at all Board meetings and distributing action items to relevant parties.
• Acting as the Country Privacy Officer including running privacy training as required; ensuring that the business complies with global privacy policies and that amendments are made where required to reflect local laws; answering privacy queries from the business; and advising on any unauthorized disclosures.

Your background

• Bachelor of Laws and Admission (or eligibility for Admission) to the Supreme Court of Queensland (or another Australian jurisdiction).
• At least 8 years post qualification experience in commercial law.
• Strong commercial contracting skills with an understanding of AU/NZ commercial contracts and current market positions. Infrastructure project experience would also be beneficial.
• Experience as a company secretary.
• Experienced working in any of these industries would be advantageous but not essential: construction, resources, renewables, power or utilities.
• A collaborative, solutions oriented approach with strong communication skills.
• Proven ability to negotiate with internal and external stakeholders across complex business structures.
• Strong team player who is focused on providing practical commercial solutions

More about us

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD. www.hitachienergy.com Hitachi Energy is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and recognises the im-portance of attracting the right people for the right job. We are actively seeking to in-crease the diversity of our team and encourage applications from people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women, the LGBTQI+ community, people living with disability/ies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Research shows that men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the crite-ria; women and people from other marginalised groups tend to only apply when they meet all of the criteria. If you think you have what it takes, have the qualifications re-quired, but don't necessarily meet every single point on our job description, please still get in touch. We'd love to have a chat and see if you could be a great addition to our team. #LI-SEA1

2023-03-06

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