Senior Legal Counsel, Employment
Canva, a rapidly growing Australian multinational software company, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel specializing in Employment Law to join its Global Employment Legal Team. This role will primarily support employment law matters across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, and the broader APAC region, collaborating closely with People, business leaders, and legal colleagues across Canva’s global footprint.
The Senior Legal Counsel will provide strategic, commercially pragmatic advice on employment law matters in APAC, addressing day-to-day employment issues such as performance management, exits, investigations, and regulatory concerns. The role involves partnering with various stakeholders, including People, Total Rewards, and Finance teams, to support Canva’s growth and evolving workforce model. Additionally, the position entails developing and implementing scalable employment frameworks, policies, and processes, managing employment-related legal risks, delivering training to People teams and business leaders, and collaborating with global Employment Legal colleagues on cross-border matters and strategic projects.
Candidates should be admitted to practice in Australia or an equivalent jurisdiction, with over eight years of post-qualification experience specializing in employment law, gained in a leading law firm and/or in-house legal team, preferably within the tech industry. Experience working across multiple jurisdictions or in a multinational environment is highly regarded. The ideal candidate will have strong experience advising senior stakeholders on complex employment and employee relations matters, the ability to balance legal risk with commercial and people considerations, excellent judgment, and strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
While specific compensation details are not provided, Canva offers a range of benefits, including equity packages, an inclusive parental leave policy supporting all parents and carers, an annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support wellbeing, social connection, office setup, and more, as well as flexible leave options that empower employees to be a force for good, take time to recharge, and support personal needs.
Canva's culture is unique, human-centric, and continually evolving, with every team member playing an active role in shaping the company's environment. The company emphasizes a values-led culture that empowers employees to do the best work of their lives, fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where diversity and inclusion are lived values. Canva has been recognized for its innovative and inclusive culture, being named the number one Best Workplace for Innovators by Fast Company in 2023.