Senior Legal Counsel (Digital, Privacy & AI Specialist)

companyDescription jobDescription Kia ora Air New Zealand is on an accelerated journey to deliver the best flying experience on Earth. Our purpose is to enrich our country by connecting New Zealanders to each other and New Zealand to the world. As a brand promise, we offer Manaaki to our employees and customers, taking care further than any other airline and creating experiences that empower and connect. Shape the future of Digital and AI at Air New Zealand We’re looking for a Senior Legal Counsel with Digital, Privacy & AI expertise to join our Legal team on a 12-month fixed term contract, commencing as soon as possible. This is a high-impact specialist role supporting some of the airline’s most strategically significant digital, data and AI initiatives. Sitting within the Legal, Privacy and Governance function, you will report to our Head of Legal and work at the forefront of digital transformation, partnering closely with Digital, Procurement, Data & AI, Privacy and Cyber Security teams. You will provide commercially astute, risk-aware legal advice across complex technology contracts, AI initiatives and data-driven programmes that are critical to our customer success and digital-enabled future. This role requires a confident and experienced practitioner who can step in quickly, operate independently and provide pragmatic advice in a fast-moving environment. Your key responsibilities Lead legal support for major digital and technology initiatives, including high-value supplier contracts and strategic transformation programmes. Provide advice in relation to AI initiatives and other emerging technologies supporting the safe and responsible deployment of new tools across the business. Draft, negotiate and advise on complex technology, SaaS and digital services agreements, with particular focus on data protection, security, liability and indemnity risk allocation. Partner closely with Procurement to structure and negotiate robust contractual protections in relation to data, privacy, cyber security and regulatory compliance. Advise on privacy and data protection obligations, including the Privacy Act and relevant international regimes (e.g., GDPR), working alongside Privacy and Cyber Security teams to manage cross-border data and regulatory risk proactively. Support cutting-edge initiatives including seamless travel programmes, next-gen technology transformation projects and provide competition and regulatory advice on incentives structures. Contribute to the ongoing evolution of Air New Zealand’s AI governance framework and digital risk management practices. What we’re looking for Significant post-admission experience (ideally 8+ years) gained in private practice or in-house, with strong exposure to digital, technology and privacy law. Demonstrated experience advising on complex technology contracts involving personal and sensitive information. Deep understanding of privacy, data protection and cyber risk within a global organisation, with the ability to negotiate robust indemnity and liability positions. Experience supporting AI governance, emerging technology or digital transformation programmes highly desirable. Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability, with the confidence to engage senior digital and enterprise stakeholders. Ability to operate independently from day one, balancing pace of delivery with sound risk management. Practising certificate and admission as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (or eligibility to hold one). This is a specialist, senior-level role supporting strategically critical digital and AI initiatives across the airline. The successful candidate will join a friendly, high-performing and collaborative Legal team, working in close alignment with digital, cyber and procurement teams in a dynamic environment. Your journey starts here This role sits at the centre of Air New Zealand’s digital evolution, supporting initiatives that shape how we operate, innovate and serve our customers. It offers exposure to cutting-edge AI and technology programmes within one of New Zealand’s most recognised and trusted brands. If you are motivated by complex digital challenges, emerging technologies and enabling responsible innovation at scale, we look forward to receiving your application with an updated CV. Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 7 June 2026. We will be reviewing CVs as they are received and may decide to withdraw the advertisement at any time once we identify our preferred candidate, so please apply as soon as possible. qualifications additionalInformation At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to their roles. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with a disability, additional health and mental health needs, and/or are neurodiverse to apply for our roles. If you have encountered any accessibility barriers and require further information or reasonable accommodations to our recruitment process, please reach out to the recruiter listed on this job advert so they are able to support you to freely participate equitably in our recruitment and selection process. Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina. "Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality."