Senior Specialist, Legal Counsel (6-Month Contract)

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

This role supports the Senior Manager, Legal Counsel and plays a key role in providing practical legal advice across adidas’ operations in Australia and New Zealand.

You’ll work closely with a local legal team in Melbourne and collaborate with regional and global colleagues, as well as cross-functional teams across the business. The role covers a broad mix of legal and compliance work, giving you strong exposure to commercial decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

General Legal

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and agreements
• Provide clear, practical legal advice across day-to-day business activities, including commercial, employment, leasing and consumer matters
• Identify legal risks and work with stakeholders to manage and mitigate them
• Support the business in resolving disputes, including representing the company where required
• Contribute to legal projects and initiatives across the region
• Support compliance and risk programs to ensure consistent and effective practices
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and drive efficiency within the legal function

Compliance

• Assess compliance risks and identify opportunities to strengthen controls
• Support the Senior Manager, Legal Counsel on compliance matters, including data protection and policy governance
• Assist in monitoring and maintaining compliance with relevant laws and internal policies

Key Relationships:

• Finance
• Brand and Marketing
• eCommerce
• Wholesale Operations
• Supply Chain
• Retail and Franchise
• Procurement
• Customer Service
• HR
• IT
• External stakeholders and partners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong experience in contract drafting, review and negotiation
• Exposure to employment, leasing and consumer law is highly regarded
• Clear and confident communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to balance legal risk with practical commercial outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management and prioritisation skills
• Comfortable working independently and managing a varied workload in a fast-paced environment

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in Australia
• Minimum 3 years’ post-qualification experience in a law firm or in-house role
• Experience across commercial contracts, corporate matters, employment or consumer law
• Background in retail, consumer or sports industry is a plus, not essential
• Strong understanding of the Australian legal landscape, with exposure to disputes or litigation beneficial
• Self-motivated, proactive and comfortable working in a collaborative team environment