General Counsel

Location: Ōtāhuhu, Auckland 

Type of Contract: Full time Permanent 

About us

When you join DB Breweries, you join the global HEINEKEN family, where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, contribute their ideas, learn and grow as part of one of the largest beer and cider brewing companies in the world spanning 70 countries. 

We believe diverse views make great brews, and the vibe in our team is very much reflected in our four values: PASSION for consumers and customers, CARE for people and planet, ENJOYMENT of life, and COURAGE to dream and pioneer. 

We offer a great range of benefits and a positive, inclusive culture, including:

• Free health, life, and income protection insurance.
• 5% employer KiwiSaver contribution.
• Monthly allowance of beer, cider, RTDs, or alcohol‑free beverages.
• Generous employee discount at Star Hospitality venues.
• Enjoyment of Life leave — an extra paid day each year to do something you love
• Generous parental leave provisions
• Free confidential counselling.
• Digital wills, feminine hygiene products, retail discounts.
• Commitment to Fair Pay through Mind the Gap and the Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry.

About the Role

As General Counsel, you will lead our NZ Legal function and act as a key strategic advisor to senior management.  You will work end to end across our integrated brewing and hospitality businesses.  You will oversee legal strategy, compliance, governance, property, intellectual property, regulatory matters, contracting, and commercial dispute management, ensuring the business operates with integrity while supporting growth and operational success.  You will ensure both our brewing and hospitality businesses follow New Zealand laws along with all local and global company policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Legal team (two direct reports).
• Drive the company’s legal strategy.
• Oversee company governance, including signing authorities, board documents, and the management of all group companies.
• Make sure all group companies follow key New Zealand laws (such as privacy, consumer law, competition and alcohol laws).
• Ensure compliance with HEINEKEN global policies.
• Advise senior leaders and the Board on legal and governance matters.
• Act as Privacy Officer.
• Support business risk planning and crisis response.
• Manage commercial legal disputes and work with external lawyers when needed.
• Advise on all major commercial agreements, including supply contracts, sponsorships, licensing agreements, sourcing and banking documents.
• Review, draft, and negotiate key commercial agreements as and when required.
• Draft, negotiate and oversee property leases and agreements.
• Protect and manage the company’s trademarks and intellectual property.
• Support marketing, advertising, and packaging decisions to ensure they meet legal requirements.
• Advise on business acquisitions, joint ventures, or sales of parts of the business.
• Provide support for legal matters in both New Zealand and Australia.
• Monitor legal and regulatory changes and guide the business on impacts.
• Maintain effective legal processes, systems, and risk controls.
• Build strong relationships internally and with regulators and external stakeholders.
• Present to company wide forums on relevant legal issues to upskill the business.
• Liaise with regional and global stakeholders to ensure compliance with Heineken requirements.

What You Will Bring

• A law degree and current New Zealand practising certificate (or the ability to obtain one).

• Extensive commercial legal experience, ideally in both in‑house and law firm settings. 

• Strong commercial judgement with the confidence to challenge and guide senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills with the ability to work well with senior leaders.
• Strong experience advising business leaders on complex issues.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply now and help shape our legal, governance, and compliance future.

Please note: We are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies.