Senior Legal Counsel

Who are we?

Craft your future with Suntory Oceania, a new $3b multi-beverage partnership between Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage & Food. Underpinned by quality, craftsmanship and a strong sense of purpose, our exciting new partnership will be powered by two manufacturing sites, five distribution centres and more than 1500 Suntorians across Australia and New Zealand.

Our market-leading portfolio will have over 40 brands, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Hibiki® Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club® Whisky, -196, V Energy, Maximus, and Suntory BOSS Coffee. As One Suntory, we will be positioned as the fourth largest beverage player in the region, ready to ignite the category, creating more beverage moments from sunrise to sunset. Together, we will bring the best of Suntory to Oceania.

The Opportunity:

We’re looking for a Senior Legal Counsel who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys variety, and brings a commercial, curious and solutions‑focused approach to complex legal challenges.

This is a newly created role within our high‑impact, newly established Legal team, meaning each day will look different. You’ll partner with Marketing and R&D on product launches, help shape legal frameworks, advise on risk, and support strategic transformation across the region.

In this role, you will provide creative, pragmatic and commercially grounded legal advice across Australia and New Zealand. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across Marketing, R&D, Commercial, People & Culture, Finance and our global Legal teams, guiding the organisation across regulatory, commercial, compliance and strategic matters.

You will also play a key role in building and evolving our legal frameworks, processes and tools as the business scales — a true blend of strategic advisory, hands‑on drafting, risk mitigation and capability building.

What you'll do:

Create & Build

• Support the development and continuous improvement of legal frameworks, processes and resources in partnership with key functions.
• Champion the Legal Team’s engagement strategy and reinforce its role as a trusted business partner.

Perform

• Provide legal review of complex Marketing activity (ATL/BTL), product claims, innovation launches and sponsorships across AU & NZ.
• Advise on scientific, regulatory and innovation‑related matters within R&D.
• Partner with global IP to manage Oceania‑focused trademark and IP considerations.
• Support governance and compliance across competition law, employment, modern slavery, privacy & data, AI, health & safety and related areas.
• Draft, negotiate and manage a wide range of commercial contracts, including through contract‑generation platforms.
• Advise strategic project teams on legal and compliance risks and mitigation pathways.
• Provide guidance on HR‑related legal matters in partnership with People & Culture.
• Engage and coordinate with external counsel on complex matters.
• Provide legal support to the General Counsel and wider Legal team as required.

Transform

• Act as a trusted advisor, supporting launches and innovations across our multi‑beverage portfolio.
• Contribute creative, commercially‑savvy solutions in a fast‑evolving business.

What you bring:

• A current (or eligible) practising certificate in NSW or NZ.
• Prior experience as an in‑house lawyer.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and advisory capability.
• Commercial mindset with a collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Ability to operate at pace within a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to take on a broad mix of work.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to partner with functional leads to deliver business‑aligned outcomes while navigating compliance obligations.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (periodically).

While not essential, it would be a bonus if you bring experience across Australian and New Zealand consumer and competition law, exposure to FSANZ or the wider food and beverage landscape, or a background in compliance, risk, or HR‑related legal matters. Experience within FMCG, consumer goods, or innovation‑driven environments, as well as familiarity with AI‑enabled legal tools or automated contract systems, would be advantageous.

We’re ultimately looking for someone who is adaptable, commercially minded and excited to grow with a newly created role in a rapidly evolving business.

What's in it for you?

• Grow your career – we like to promote from within and have incredible learning and development opportunities around the world.
• Quarterly product allowance to spend at our staff shop.
• Drive transformation and innovation in a future-fit operating model.
• Generous incentive program for all of our permanent employees.
• An inclusive parental leave policy for both primary and secondary caregivers.
• Birthday leave – enjoy a day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Gradual return to work to help you transition back from parental leave.
• Work in a culture that values diversity, collaboration and growth.
• Flexible working – flexible hours and hybrid working.
• We are committed to giving back to our communities, so we provide you with volunteer leave to do so.

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognise that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavour to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.