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Senior Legal Counsel - Hawthorn East

A new role means a new way to win together. We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and at the heart of our continued success lies our 115,000 team members working across the country. If you’re looking for a career-defining opportunity, take the next step and explore another way your work can have impact and make a difference.

 

About the team

 

Because of our size, who we are and what we do, each day brings with it a lot of complexity that our legal team make simple. With a deep understanding of Coles Group’s goals and values, we’re able to provide practical and commercial advice that helps us all win.

 

 

About Coles Group 

 

Coles Group is proudly one of Australia’s leading retailers, with millions of customers across our supermarkets, liquor, convenience and digital channels. At Coles, we’re about more than just groceries, we’re committed to creating a workplace where team members feel safe, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. 

 

 

About the Role 

 

The role is a fixed term Senior Legal Counsel position in the Corporate Advisory legal team on a fixed term contract through to December 2026. Reporting into the Corporate Advisory Legal Team, the Senior Legal Counsel – Corporate Advisory will partner closely with the business to deliver high‑quality, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of matters. The Corporate Advisory legal team supports a wide range of strategic work across Coles, including M&A and joint ventures, Treasury, Company Secretariat, Coles360, Sustainability, and other strategically important initiatives. 

 

This fixed‑term opportunity offers exposure to complex corporate work and the chance to play a leadership role within a collaborative and values‑driven Legal function. 

 

 

Key Accountabilities 

 

Delivery of Legal Services 

  • Partner with the business, both independently and in conjunction with other lawyers, to provide timely, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice 

  • Interpret, negotiate and advise on a range of complex commercial and corporate agreements 

  • Provide legal advice and support for business projects, transactions and initiatives 

  • Promote a customer‑focused culture with a professional approach to stakeholder engagement 

  • Engage cost‑effective external legal support and manage relationships with external lawyers and advisors as required 

 

Leadership & Team Contribution 

  • Participate in the delivery of legal services across the Legal Team, delegating or escalating matters as appropriate 

  • Assist in supporting, mentoring and developing Legal Counsel and Graduates, including a focus on wellbeing and professional development 

  • Lead by example in line with Coles’ values and behaviours 

  • Assist other lawyers within the team as required to support workloads and priorities 

 

Process Improvement 

  • Support the implementation of new and improved processes and work practices to enhance legal service delivery 

  • Identify non‑value‑add activities or legal risks in processes, templates or education and implement improvements to reduce cost and manage risk 

  • Encourage streamlined and consistent ways of working across the Legal function 

  • Manage workflows to reduce single‑point sensitivity and improve efficiency 

 

Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement 

  • Develop and maintain trusted relationships with key internal and external stakeholders 

  • Engage in the development and delivery of the Legal Team’s strategic objectives, aligned with Coles Group strategy 

  • Act as a change agent by contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the Legal Team 

 

 

About You 

 

You’re a commercially minded legal professional who enjoys working in a collaborative and high performing legal team, partnering with the business, and contributing beyond the technical legal work. You bring strong commercially focussed judgement, presence and a collaborative mindset, with a genuine interest in leadership and continuous improvement. 

 

 

Skills & Experience 

 

  • Mid‑level legal experience, gained in‑house and/or private practice 

  • Current Australian Legal Practising Certificate 

  • Developed understanding of commercial and regulatory legal issues 

  • Proven ability to provide commercially focused advice and manage legal risk 

  • Legal acumen in handling moderately complex arrangements 

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

  • Strong problem‑solving, critical thinking and strategic response capabilities 

  • High level of interpersonal skill with the ability to influence in a matrix organisation 

  • Demonstrated alignment with Coles’ values and behaviours 

  • Interest in developing leadership capability, including delegation and mentoring 

  • Experience identifying and implementing process improvements 

  • Ability to drive own career development and contribute to a culture of innovation and managed risk‑taking 

 

 

Why Work at Coles? 

 

  • Opportunity to work on high‑impact corporate and strategic matters 

  • Supportive, inclusive and collaborative Legal team 

  • Flexible ways of working and a strong focus on wellbeing 

 

 

 

What’s in it for you?

 

  • Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
  • Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
  • Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
  • Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
  • Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
  • Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
  • Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

 

About the recruitment process

 

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

 

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

 

Job ID: 183736

 

Employment Type: Fixed Term

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