LEGAL COUNSEL - HEAD OFFICE
The Legal Counsel is a critical and commercially focused role at the heart of KOOKAÏ, sole in-house counsel to the group, working directly with and reporting to the CEO. It's a varied generalist role for a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys ownership of their work and close exposure to how the business runs day to day. Sitting across the full spectrum of the business, from retail operations and leasing to international expansion and corporate matters, you will bring sharp commercial instincts, sound judgement and a practical approach to risk, with the support of a legal assistant and external counsel wherever required.
If you thrive in fast-moving environments, enjoy commercial problem solving and want to leave your mark on a growing Australian fashion brand with a global footprint — this is the role for you.
This role involves:
• Providing commercially minded, practical legal advice to stakeholders across the entire business — Finance, IT, Retail, Product, Branding and more
• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements and legal documentation
• Overseeing the group’s corporate functions including ASIC compliance, board support, entity management and corporate transactions across multiple jurisdictions
• Supporting the group's continued international growth, working with local counsel across the UK, Europe, the US and the Pacific
• Shaping how the legal function runs, from the contract register and standard form agreements to systems and processes that scale with the business Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership on confidential executive matters
Criteria and skills:
• Commercially minded and pragmatic, you spot issues before they escalate and bring a calm, practical approach to working through them
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate complex legal risk into clear, practical advice for non-legal stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present confidently to the CEO and Board
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Solutions-focused and results-driven, operating with a genuine sense of urgency
• Strict respect for confidentiality and legal professional privilege
• Competent in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and experience using AI platforms
What you'll love from us:
• 50% employee discount
• Generous quarterly self styling vouchers
• Exposure to a broad and varied legal practice across commercial, corporate and retail law
• A collaborative and supportive legal team environment
• Personal development plans
• In-house wellbeing and social programs
• Wellness and Birthday leave
• Training and mentoring programs
• Daily fruit packs
• Frequent social and team bonding events
Requirements for application:
• Minimum 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE)
• Admitted to practice in Australia with a current unrestricted practising certificate
• A background in corporate and commercial law (essential); experience in commercial disputes a bonus
• In-house legal experience (essential); experience in a retail, fashion or consumer-facing industry a bonus
Location: Melbourne based (Head Office)
Full time
