Senior In-House Legal Counsel – Automotive Operations & FranchisingLocation:
Gold Coast, Queensland
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: Competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience
A rapidly growing automotive business specialising in vehicle repairs, insurance repair management, vehicle inspections, and related automotive services is seeking a highly experienced Senior In-House Legal Counsel to work directly with executive management during a significant growth and franchising phase.
This is a commercially focused senior role suited to a lawyer who combines strong legalcapability with genuine automotive industry experience and an operational understanding of fast-moving service-based automotive businesses.
About the Business
The business operates within the automotive repair and inspection sector, including insurance-related repair matters, vehicle assessment processes, customer disputes, supplier arrangements, and operational compliance functions.
As part of its next phase of expansion, the business is undertaking strategic growth initiatives including franchising, systems development, operational scaling, and expansion into additional markets.
About the Role
Reporting directly to senior management, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and advising on:
- Commercial litigation and dispute management;
- Insurance-related disputes and recovery matters;
- Commercial contracts and supplier agreements;
- Franchise structuring, franchise documentation, and franchise compliance;
- Regulatory compliance and risk management;
- Employment and contractor matters;
- Consumer law disputes and Australian Consumer Law compliance;
- Property and leasing matters;
- Debt recovery and insolvency matters;
- Corporate structuring and expansion initiatives;
- Operational systems, workflows, and compliance procedures;
- External counsel management;
- Strategic legal and commercial advice relating to growth and operational scaling.
The role requires a lawyer who understands the practical realities and commercial pressures of automotive repair, insurance repair, vehicle inspections, and related automotive service environments.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold an unrestricted Australian practising certificate;
- Have a minimum of 5 years’ post-admission experience;
- Have substantial experience in commercial law and litigation;
- Have prior in-house legal experience OR prior career experience working within the automotive industry;
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of automotive repair operations, insurance repair processes, vehicle inspection environments, or related automotive service industries;
- Be capable of independently managing complex litigation and commercial matters with minimal supervision;
- Have experience advising directors, business owners, or executive management directly;
- Possess highly developed drafting, negotiation, and strategic advisory skills;
- Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and operational problem-solving ability;
- Be highly organised and capable of operating within a fast-paced, high-volume business environment;
- Have experience developing operational systems, compliance frameworks, or business process improvements.
Highly Regarded
The following experience will be viewed favourably:
- Experience within automotive repair businesses, insurance repair businesses, vehicle inspection businesses, dealership groups, or automotive franchise systems;
- Experience advising businesses undergoing franchising or multi-site expansion;
- Experience with franchise agreements and franchise compliance frameworks;
- Experience in insolvency, debt recovery, or complex commercial disputes;
- Experience operating across multiple Australian jurisdictions;
- Experience managing external legal providers and multi-file litigation portfolios.
About You
You are commercially minded, operationally aware, and comfortable working closely with senior management in a hands-on business environment.
You understand that legal advice must operate alongside real-world commercial pressures, customer service obligations, operational workflow demands, and growth objectives.
You are capable of operating autonomously and providing practical, solutions-focused advice within a business undergoing significant expansion.
To Apply
Please submit your CV together with a cover letter outlining your legal experience and your prior in-house and/or automotive industry experience.
Pay: $90,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
