Corporate Governance Counsel

• Provide corporate governance regulatory-related advice, services, training and education
• Provide climate and nature reporting regulatory advice
• Support transparency and coordination of government and sector-led consultation

Provide guidance, advice, and support across a broad Corporate Governance and Sustainability work programme at a Group, Executive Leadership Team, and Board level

At the centre of the electricity sector in New Zealand, Transpower plays a key role in enabling the functioning of New Zealand's economy and touches all facets of the community through 24/7 transmission of electricity. We are working hard to enable accelerated electrification to help meet climate change and sustainability goals that will impact generations to come.

About the team

The Governance, Sustainability & Executive Office team is responsible for the provision of an efficient and effective corporate governance service, implementation of Transpower's evolving Sustainability Strategy, and delivery of its annual Climate Statement.

The work of the wider team is broad, encompassing the management and enhancement of governance frameworks and related work and services across Transpower and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

The team provides oversight and management of legal advice within the domain of governance and sustainability; develops and manages several corporate and governance compliance frameworks (such as the official information act and conflicts of interest); develops corporate policies; manages the sustainability programme, including setting direction and providing advice; provides administrative support and governance advice for Transpower's Board, its subsidiaries and the Executive Leadership Team; and provides secretariat support to Mana Wahine.

About the role

The Corporate Governance Counsel is a key contributor supporting the Head of Governance, Sustainability & Executive Office by providing the business and Transpower's Board with regulatory-related advice and services, training, process improvement, and education in relation to a range of governing frameworks and regulations, and related general governance, compliance and regulatory obligations.

A critical role in managing the framework and registers for conflicts of interests and official information act requests, facilitating and making key decisions around responses to official information requests, the Corporate Governance Counsel also ensures oversight and coordination of government and sector-led consultation relevant to Transpower. The role supports the Head of Governance, Sustainability & Executive Office with developing and maintaining corporate policies, and the Sustainability Team on compliance and regulatory obligations associated with sustainability and climate change matters, including Climate Statement and greenhouse gas emissions reporting.

The role provides further corporate governance advice and services on regulatory matters, and where capacity allows and need arises, advises on legal matters for Transpower's Legal Team.

What you are expected to deliver

You will provide guidance, advice, and support across a broad Corporate Governance and Sustainability work programme at a Group, Executive Leadership Team, and Board level, developing and providing training on corporate governance and regulatory related matters. Your work will further encompass:

• providing support to ensure corporate policies, which are the responsibility of the CEO Office and Corporate Governance, remain up-to-date and fit-for-purpose and comply with policy frameworks.
• providing advice on Owner's Manual and NZX regulatory responsibilities.
• providing advice and maintaining the Conflict-of-Interest framework, associated register, and supporting the management and monitoring of assigned conflicts of interest.
• maintaining and improving appropriate systems and processes to ensure all Official Information Act requests are dealt with to a uniformly high standard and meet requirements.
• delivering the Official Information Act process, including overseeing collation of information, advising on release/withholding of information, and preparing the responses, obtaining internal approvals, and managing correspondence with the requestors.
• provision of advice on compliance and regulatory obligations associated with sustainability and climate change matters, including Climate Statement and Greenhouse Gas Emissions reporting.
• supporting the Head of Business Partnering on the management of the Privacy framework, including in respect of reporting.
• ensuring transparency and coordination of responses to government and sector-led consultations.

To be considered, your CV and cover letter will demonstrate:

With a LLB or other relevant tertiary qualification (or demonstrable experience), you will be an excellent relationship manager with superior interpersonal skills and ability to work at all levels. With validated proven effectiveness in the provision of legal services within a scaled complex commercial or regulatory environment. We are seeking:

• proven ability to operate as a trusted advisor applying the highest ethical standards to critical and sensitive information.
• demonstrable ability exercising discretion and sound independent judgment.
• exceptional communication skills - verbal and written.
• demonstrable ability to build up and maintain a network of support throughout an organisation.
• experience achieving results through others who are not under your direct authority or management.
• solid understanding of the machinery of government and political processes.

Whilst not essential, the following will be viewed favourably.

• an understanding/experience of the energy sector, state-owned enterprises, or a highly regulated environment.
• working knowledge of various relevant Acts and Company constitutional frameworks.
• working knowledge of and experience in continued disclosure environments and NZX listing rules.

Why you should join us

Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, every hospital relies on the electricity we manage and deliver. This is your opportunity to join us on a mission that affects all New Zealanders, every day and long into the future.

As an equal opportunity employer, we embrace diversity. Our people are made up of over 28 nationalities which makes for a dynamic and stimulating environment. Our benefits include a range of health and lifestyle options to support your wellbeing. View them here: https://www.transpower.co.nz/about-us/careers-transpower/staff-benefits

Next Steps

If you're ready to join a tight-knit, collaborative, and results-focused team who enjoy a varied and full programme of work, including many interesting and challenging facets with numerous opportunities to learn, we'd love to hear from you. Please review the position description via our careers site https://careers.transpower.co.nz/search and apply without delay.

Role closes Thursday 20th February 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and exploratory conversations/interviews may be scheduled for shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Existing New Zealand work eligibility is required, and priority will be given to applicants currently in New Zealand.