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Corporate Counsel

General Information

Date Published
18-Sep-2025
Advertising Ends
17-Oct-2025
ID#
13453
Role Type
Legal
Work Type
Fixed-Term Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
Australia
Location
Melbourne & Southern Victoria

Position Description

  • Join Our Legal Team as Corporate Counsel – 12-Month Contract
  • Challenging, fast paced, and highly rewarding
  • Varied and complex work in a national and global context 

A world of opportunity awaits. 

Fonterra is a global dairy nutrition company owned by 8,000 New Zealand farming families and supported by 18,000 dedicated people around the world.  As the consumer facing arm of Fonterra, our Oceania business is behind many brands loved across Australian and New Zealand such as Perfect Italiano™, Mainland™, Western Star™, Bega™, Fresh ‘n Fruity, Kapiti and Anchor. Our vision is to be Oceania’s most trusted dairy company, driven by those that live and breathe dairy.  

About the Opportunity

We’re looking for a proactive and adaptable Corporate Counsel to join our Legal team on a 12-month fixed-term, full-time contract.

Reporting to the Senior Corporate Counsel, you’ll play a key role in a fast-paced, generalist legal environment, supporting our operations across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Key responsibilities will include: 

  • Review and manage contracts with clients, suppliers, and partners.
  • Deliver clear, practical legal advice on a range of matters. 
  • Collaborate with managers and executives to balance opportunity with risk. 
  • Supporting procurement and tender processes.
  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements with suppliers, consultants, and service providers.
  • Review and advise on a diverse range of marketing and promotional activities, and new product development and innovation initiatives.
  • Assist with litigation and disputes as needed.

This role is based at our Richmond head office, with free parking and flexible work arrangements – including two days working from home each week.

About You

You’re a decisive, action-oriented legal professional with a strong service ethic and a practical approach to managing risk. Comfortable working independently on routine matters, you take ownership and deliver results with confidence. Your ability to influence, negotiate, and build strong relationships across the business and externally will set you up for success in this role.

In addition, you will have: 

  • 6+ years PQE experience, current Victorian practising certificate (or ability to obtain).
  • Background in private practice and/or in-house (FMCG or dairy industry experience desirable, but not essential).
  • Experience in general commercial law, consumer law and procurement.
  • A smart, quick learner that is business and solutions-oriented, with the ability to make decisions and manage risk appropriately, biased towards action.
  • Strong drafting, reviewing and negotiation skills – not sweating the small stuff.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, with the ability to simplify complex concepts and deliver clear, practical advice.
  • Personable, with a flexible, easy-going working style, and a great sense of humour!

Ready to make your mark? Apply now and be part of something truly special!
 
The benefits of life at Fonterra

Our people and what they bring to our Co-op shape our success. We have a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders, and passionate people, making Fonterra a great place to work. We also offer competitive remuneration and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location. 

  • We offer flexible working to ensure the job gets done whilst being there for life's important moments. 
  • With a global presence, a world of career opportunities awaits you. 
  • We support your health and wellbeing with events, discounts on wellbeing products, and employee assistance programs. 
  • We encourage lifelong learning and will help you develop your skills. 
  • Enjoy discounted health insurance based on your employment type and location. 
  • No matter your life stage or choices, we have leave options, including purchasing additional leave, enhanced parental benefits, and long-service leave. 

You, me, us together.