Legal Counsel – Crimson Academies

Legal Counsel – Crimson Academies We're looking for our next Legal superstar! Shape the future of education. Safeguard what matters. Crimson Academies is redefining how young people learn across Aotearoa and beyond. We're a group of innovative schools, all united by one mission: to boost students' ambition, self-belief, and performance. This is role excitingly spans all of our schools: Crimson Global Academy – Online Learning, Private International Schooling Multi-mode, multi-curriculum global online private schooling for students from primary through to high school graduation. Aotearoa Infinite Academy – Online Learning, Charter School New Zealand’s first charter online high school, offering tuition-free international and national curriculum pathways to students nationwide. Crimson AGE School – Hybrid Learning, Private Local & International Schooling A private school based in Takapuna, New Zealand, offering both local and international curricula to primary through high school students. Mt Hobson Academy – Online Learning, Private Local Schooling A vibrant network of students and educators from across New Zealand, building friendships, sharing ideas, and making an impact — right where they are. About the role You'll be the legal backbone for multiple schools operating under different frameworks: charter school agreements, private school regulations, and Crown entity obligations. You'll draft everything from employment contracts to partnership MOUs, lead our annual charter regulatory audit, and build the frameworks that keep us legally sound and operationally excellent. You'll work closely with our Director of Legal & Compliance and report with a dotted line to the CEO of Crimson Academies. This role requires someone who can balance legal rigour with practical, education-sector savvy. What you'll do Provide expert legal advice to leadership and the Board on everything from governance to risk management Own charter school regulatory compliance: audits, attestations, regulatory reporting, and relationship management with the Ministry of Education, Charter School Agency, and ERO Draft and review contracts, policies, employment documents, and school agreements Build and maintain frameworks, risk registers, and training programmes Oversee the legal and compliance aspects of our in-house HRIS, Bright Train staff on privacy, safeguarding, health and safety, and information management Identify and mitigate legal risks before they become problems What you bring LLB (or higher) and eligibility to practise law in New Zealand Post-qualification experience in legal, regulatory, or compliance roles Experience working with or advising schools, education providers, Crown entities, or NGOs (highly desirable) Understanding of NZ education law, public sector compliance, and governance Sound legal drafting and the ability to translate legal concepts into practical guidance Experience with compliance audits and regulatory reviews High ethical standards, strategic thinking, and meticulous attention to detail Why Crimson Academies? You'll be part of something meaningful: schools that genuinely change young people's lives. You'll work across a diverse portfolio of education models, from tuition-free charter schooling to premium international programmes. You'll have autonomy, variety, and the chance to shape compliance culture from the ground up. This is an opportunity to accelerate your career within a rapidly growing global organisation, with exposure to multiple areas of the business and the chance to contribute to its ongoing development. Useful info Crimson Academies is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where people can contribute as their authentic selves and do meaningful, high-impact work. Research shows that candidates from under-represented groups are more likely to apply only when they meet every requirement. If you believe you could be a strong fit for this role but do not meet every listed criterion, we still encourage you to apply. We welcome the opportunity to speak with candidates who bring different experiences, perspectives, and strengths to our team. Can't wait to meet you! Department Crimson Global Academy Locations Auckland, Wellington Remote status Fully Remote