Who we are - Ko wai mātou 

A great place to work. With great work to do.

We are New Zealand's financial markets conduct regulator, the Financial Markets Authority - Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko.

The FMA's remit and regulatory approach are expanding and evolving to have a stronger focus on conduct. We're currently on an exciting journey, to enable the growth of our organisation.

The Role - Te Tūranga

Due to our continued growth, we have an opportunity to join our Legal team - our friendly in-house financial services legal team - responsible for the provision of pragmatic, high quality and effective legal advice required by the FMA to achieve our regulatory objectives.   

It's a fast-paced and rewarding role offering the chance to work at the forefront of New Zealand's financial markets. There is real variety in the legal work we do, including:

• assisting the FMA's front line regulatory teams to consider potential breaches of financial markets law,
• engaging with financial market participants and their advisers in relation to legal issues,
• providing advice within the FMA on the use of regulatory tools (such as stop orders, warnings, and licensing actions) in response to non-compliance,
• leading individual exemptions and designations and providing advice within the FMA on class exemptions and designations, and
• contributing to policy development, FMA guidance, law reform, and key projects within the FMA.

About you - Ō pūkenga

Ideally, you'll already possess knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to the financial sector (including the FMC Act and AML/CFT Act). You will enjoy thinking through interesting and novel legal issues with a sharp mind, be solutions-focused, have strong interpersonal/relationship skills and a 'can do' attitude!

We are open to considering lawyers with at least 2 years relevant legal or regulatory experience, with a current Practicing Certificate (or ability to obtain one). Those with 5+ years' PQE relevant work experience can be considered for a Senior Legal Counsel position.

Note that the position description and title of the role will be dependent on your level of experience. Please enquire if you wish to review the Senior Legal Counsel PD. 

What we offer - Ngā painga

We have offices Auckland and Wellington - this role can be based in either location. We have the flexibility to offer a permanent full time role, permanent part time role or a 12 month fixed term contract/secondment.

At the FMA, you'll be proud knowing that the work you do is creating a legacy for New Zealand. We offer flexible working arrangements and a variety of wellness activities. We know it's not all about work! A strong emphasis is placed on your life outside the workplace.

To discover more, visit the job ad here.

Click the link in 'more details' for further information or you can contact us at [email protected]. Please note that due to office closures during the Christmas and New Year's period we will be unable to respond to queries between 23 December 2022 to 9 January 2023.

Applications close Sunday 15 January 2023.