Board Secretary and Principal Legal Counsel at Financial Markets Authority, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

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

At the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), our work has real meaning and impact. As a kaitiaki of New Zealand's financial services system, we help shape a market that delivers fair, transparent and trusted outcomes for all.

Te Tūranga | The Role

This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished governance and legal professional to operate at the centre of decision-making in a nationally significant Crown entity and regulator.

As Board Secretary and Principal Legal Adviser, you will be a trusted senior governance and legal adviser to the Chair, Board, Chief Executive and senior leaders. You will combine authoritative, practical governance judgement with legal expertise and leadership of the Board and committee secretariat, helping ensure significant matters reach the right decision-makers with clear advice, sound process and well-defined accountabilities.

Reporting directly to the General Counsel, with a functional reporting relationship to the Board Chair on Board governance matters, you will lead the integrated Board and committee work programme, set high secretariat standards and strengthen the quality of governance information, decisions and follow-through.

The role works closely with the Internal Governance team but sits outside its day-to-day management structure, supporting the independence, authority and direct Board relationships required of the Board Secretary. You will also advise on Board effectiveness, decision rights, statutory and public sector accountability obligations, conflicts of interest, delegations and emerging governance practice.

Your impact will include:

• Acting as a trusted and appropriately independent senior governance adviser to the Chair, Board, individual Board members, Chief Executive and senior leaders.
• Shaping governance pathways for significant, sensitive or novel matters before they reach the Board.
• Partnering with the Chair and Chief Executive on annual work programmes, agendas, Board and committee effectiveness, and governance priorities.
• Lifting the quality of Board papers, recommendations, minutes, decisions and action tracking.
• Leading continuous improvement in governance maturity, frameworks, delegations, charters, conflicts processes and secretariat practice.
• Supporting Board appointment, reappointment, induction, development and evaluation processes.
• Building governance capability across the FMA and mentoring colleagues on complex governance matters.
• Providing or coordinating senior advice on governance, public sector accountability, information management and organisational policy, drawing on legal expertise where appropriate.
• Commissioning or obtaining specialist legal advice when required and translating it into practical governance guidance and action.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are an experienced governance practitioner and legally qualified adviser who brings credibility, calm judgement and the confidence to provide clear advice and constructive challenge. You understand that excellent governance is not simply about compliant process; it is about enabling informed decisions, clear accountability and an effective relationship between the Board and management.

You will bring many of the following:

• Significant senior governance experience in a complex, highly accountable organisation.
• Significant post-admission legal experience, including providing authoritative legal and governance advice to a Board, Chair, Chief Executive or senior leadership team, preferably within a regulatory, Crown entity or public sector environment.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary governance practice, Board and committee effectiveness, decision-making frameworks, conflicts of interest and organisational accountability.
• Experience leading Board and committee work programmes and improving governance frameworks, systems and practices.
• Excellent Board paper judgement and the ability to turn complex matters into concise, decision-ready advice.
• Independence, discretion and professional courage when navigating sensitive, high-risk or ambiguous matters and handling confidential information.
• Strong relationship and influencing skills, including the ability to establish trust without relying on formal authority.
• A strong understanding of Crown entity governance and public sector accountability, with the ability to quickly understand the FMA’s statutory, regulatory and financial markets context.
• Knowledge of information management, official information and privacy requirements would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work under pressure.

A legal qualification and admission as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand are required. A governance or company secretarial qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please review the position description and apply online.

Applications close Wednesday 25 November 2026.