Senior Legal Counsel
Racing Integrity Board (RIB)
A rare opportunity has presented for a lawyer to join the Racing Integrity Board (RIB), assuming a critical role within the legal and investigations team, in an organisation with work that is crucial to ensure racing is safe, fair and that high standards of animal welfare are maintained. Established under the Racing Industry Act 2020, they have a national presence working across the 3 racing codes. Their race day teams attend nearly 1000 race meetings across 59 tracks each year.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
You will provide legal advice on decisions, licensing, prosecutions and appeals for this regulatory body. There is a strong operational best practice focus to this position within investigations, supporting the Executive Manager, Legal to set an intelligence‑led strategy. There will be plenty of variety, delivering both internally and externally, supporting a range of stakeholders in a time of change for the racing industry.
The wider team at the Racing Integrity Board are committed to the cause and believe in the importance of what they do, and they are looking for someone that shares similar values. Work will include but not be limited to:
- Legal and regulatory support – Advise on regulatory legal matters, including contributing to the development of policies, rules and procedures governing racing activities across the codes to ensure RIB operates in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations while consistently upholding high ethical and animal welfare standards.
- Operational investigations support - Alongside, and with the support of the Executive Manager and investigations team, you will manage prosecutions, including any investigations, disputes and enforcement actions that are required. This may include appearing before the Adjudication Committee.
- Prohibited Substance Strategy – Support programme governance for human testing. This involves evaluating outcomes and publishing insights for deterrence and education.
- Corporate governance and risk management - Contribute to board papers and performance reporting relevant to legal and investigative functions. Also identify and address vulnerabilities and emerging risks.
- Stakeholder engagement – Liaise internally to coordinate investigations and ensure alignment and engage with external stakeholders such as racing codes, legal counsel, and enforcement agencies where appropriate.
What you will bring | Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu
- 5-10 years’ post admission experience.
- Litigation management and/or investigations experience. It will be important that you have either worked in regulatory litigation and interfaced with investigations or enforcement teams and/or have experience completing and managing investigations.
- Governance experience or a genuine interest in it.
- An awareness of the racing industry will be an advantage, but not essential.
- You must be able to provide robust and practical legal advice and support to achieve objectives and strategic activities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Flexible, solutions focused and reliable – must have the ability to travel when required to racetracks, and other relevant locations.
- Admitted to the Bar in New Zealand and eligible to hold a NZ practising certificate.
Apply Now | Tono ināianei
The Racing Integrity Board has exclusively partnered with Robert Walters and Apryl Burgess is managing the recruitment of this position. Applications close on 6 October at 9am.
If you would like to join an organisation that strives for excellence and makes a meaningful contribution to the sporting sector, apply now. For a copy of the position description and/or a confidential discussion, please contact Apryl on +64 27 816 9899 or email apryl.burgess@robertwalters.co.nz.
Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence in this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Apryl Burgess on +6444719721.
