Group Legal Counsel

Role: Group Legal Counsel

Location: Zetland (hybrid)

About our company:

Volkswagen Group is one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers, employing more than 600,000 people globally and selling its vehicles in more than 150 countries. The wholly-owned subsidiary has its National Sales Centre based in Sydney home to some of Australia's most recognisable brands which include Audi, CUPRA, Skoda and Volkswagen.

About your new Role:

This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented lawyer to join Volkswagen Group Australia as Group Legal Counsel. In this pivotal role, you will work closely with the General Counsel & Company Secretary to safeguard VGA’s legal interests, uphold compliance across all regulatory frameworks, manage legal risk, and contribute to the organisation’s strategic goals within the dynamic automotive industry.

 Your main responsibilities will include:

• Ensure VGA’s adherence to various legal frameworks, including corporate governance, commercial advisory, consumer protection, franchising, data privacy laws, spam compliance, and marketing and advertising regulations.
• Collaborating with the Data Privacy team to maintain compliance across all VGA units and providing guidance on Privacy Act and data protection matters when necessary
• Work with Junior Counsel to review all marketing materials and assets for compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including consumer protection laws, FCAI Advertising Code of Conduct and the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Code of Ethics
• Develop and deliver face to face and online training solutions in key legal risk areas to help ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Support the development and implementation of risk management strategies, including legal and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of high value and complex commercial contracts, including agreements with suppliers, customers, and franchisees.
• manage legal proceedings filed against the company, either directly or by coordinating with external legal counsel.
• Provide timely, pragmatic and accurate legal advice to various departments within the organisation, including sales, marketing, human resources, procurement and supply chain.
• Conducting legal research to stay up to date with changes in relevant laws and regulations affecting all of VGA’s businesses and reporting significant changes (including the impact) to relevant leadership and colleagues.

About you

To succeed in this role, you will need to possess the following:

• Qualified Australian lawyer with a minimum of 3 years’ post‑admission experience and a current NSW practicing certificate.
• Strong knowledge of commercial law, including contract drafting, negotiation, and review.
• Knowledge of the Australian Consumer Law, Franchising Code of Conduct, Privacy Act, and marketing and advertising regulations.
• Experience in managing litigation and disputes, particularly in Tribunals and lower courts with minimal supervision.

• Sound negotiation and communication skills
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management
• High level of proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications and online legal research

 Our Benefits, Rewards and Recognition include:

• A culture of continuous learning, growth and development. You’ll have access to LinkedIn Learning and personal development opportunities, supporting strong internal mobility across the organisation.
• Flexible working arrangements with our hybrid work model balance office and home for ways of working along with remote location working arrangements for up to 10 days anywhere in Australia
• Additional leave including VGA Day paid leave day, birthday leave and paid parental leave  
• Annual fitness and wellbeing subsidy towards a facility of your choice
• Discounts on Audi, CUPRA, Skoda and Volkswagen car purchases
• Free entry to Dubbo and Taronga Zoo for you and your family

Why Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA)?

Working at VGA provides opportunities for growth, personal development, and career opportunities, we also champion a workplace culture that thrives on passion, collaboration, efficiency, mindfulness, authenticity, and innovation.

If this sounds like the role and place for you to drive your career to great heights with a world-class organisation, APPLY NOW!

 Volkswagen Group Australia is an equal opportunity employer in each jurisdiction that it operates. We encourage and value applications from all diverse perspectives, experience and backgrounds.

To support our desire to create a local talent pipeline, this role is only available for individuals who have permanent work rights in Australia.

Successful applicants will be required to complete background checks through our external provider as a condition of employment.

 If we can provide support with access requirements throughout the recruitment process or answer any role specific enquiries please reach out to the VGA Human Resources Team via email at hr@volkswagen.com.au.

#LI-PS1