Head of Legal
Halter
Legal
Auckland, New Zealand
Posted on Feb 18, 2026
About the role
Halter is flipping the livestock world on its head. We’re scaling fast across NZ, Aus, and the US, lining up multiple new international markets, and the stakes are high.
We are looking for a Head of Legal to establish and lead our in-house legal function. As our first legal hire, you won't just be "the lawyer", we are looking for a commercial weapon and strategic architect to build the commercial frameworks that enable us to win. We need someone who uses the law to accelerate growth, not just manage risk. You will be a key member of our Senior Leadership team, reporting to the CFO, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Executive and the business to clear the path for expansion.
This is a builder’s role with a massive global trajectory. You won't be a cog in a machine; you will architect the legal engine for a global technology company growing rapidly. This is a rare opportunity to gain exposure to complex, cross-border strategic challenges and accelerate your career with unique and valuable experience in a high-performance environment.
What your day could look like:
- Enable pace through pragmatic risk. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and taking risks to enable pace. We are here to win, which means embracing discomfort and making big calls with imperfect information. You prioritize commercial wins over theoretical safety, knowing which risks kill companies and which ones flip industries.
- Strategic Transactions (M&A & Fundraising). You will drive the legal agenda on fundraising and M&A. You must have the experience to run due diligence, partner in negotiations, and execute deals that fuel our long-term strategy.
- Supply Chain & Global Operations. Partner with Operations to navigate our complex supply chain (China, Thailand, global). You will negotiate critical agreements with component suppliers and contract manufacturers, ensuring robust quality, warranty, and financial terms.
- Legal Operations, Spend & ROI. Manage external counsel like an investment, not a cost center. Actively reduce reliance on outsourcing by building in-house context and adopting our risk tolerance. Manage our global portfolio (D&O, Cyber, Product Liability), ensuring coverage scales with our US expansion and hardware risks. Embrace AI to accelerate impact. Implement tools to streamline routine work (e.g. Contract Management System).
- Corporate Governance & Compliance. Act as Company Secretary and manage entity structures across NZ, Aus, US, and Asia. Own regulatory compliance (FCC, electrical, animal welfare) and Health & Safety governance to protect our Directors and operations. Treat data as a critical asset. Ensure our strategy is compliant and managed to safely unlock value creation through AI.
- Value protection and creation. Work with our Head of IP to protect our portfolio. IP is a strategic asset, so we operate on the front foot, actively identifying ways to enhance and extend our claims, and defend our portfolio. You will be the legal expert on our Employee Share Option Program, managing and advising as required to ensure ongoing compliance.
You'll crush this gig if you:
- You don't use the law as a shield to stop ideas; you use it as a tool to find the path to "Yes." You are first and foremost a business enabler who happens to be a great lawyer.
- You embody our 'roll up your sleeves' ethos. You constantly zoom in on the detail that matters, have no issue diving into the weeds of a contract, and zoom back out to shape high-level strategy.
- You can manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Your ability to context-switch - from M&A diligence to IP strategy to an urgent employment matter - is second to none.
- You make calls on regulatory compliance, legal spend, and complex litigation without needing your hand held.
- You thrive in the ambiguity that comes with scaling a global, multibillion-dollar business.
What we're looking for:
- Seasoned Leader: 8+ years experience, ideally a mix of top-tier firm and in-house high-growth tech.
- Scale-up DNA: You have cut your teeth in a fast-paced environment. You understand "scalable speed" vs "corporate process."
- M&A Experience: You have run deal processes and know how to structure transactions.
- ESOP Expertise: Strong preference for experience managing equity incentive schemes.
- Tech Fluency: Deep knowledge of software agreements, IP law, and SaaS/hardware regulations.
- US Experience: A significant bonus.
Why you'll love Halter:
- Mission with teeth: Solve real-world problems and help farmers run sustainable operations.
- Serious backing: Backed by Tier 1 investors including Bond, Bessemer, DCVC, Blackbird, and the Icehouse.
- High-performance culture: Big expectations, zero politics.
- Wellbeing first: Southern Cross health cover, unlimited annual leave, wellness leave, 6 months paid primary caregiver leave.
- Growth budget: $1k/year personal L&D budget.
- Epic team vibes: Smart, humble people who genuinely like each other.
- ESOP: Everyone has a share in Halter’s success.
About Halter
At Halter, we’re on a mission to enable farmers and graziers to run the most productive and sustainable operations. Our customers are using Halter to break free from the time-intensive constraints of conventional practices and revolutionizing grazing with Halter. People join Halter to do meaningful work. Our team out-think, out-work and out-care. We’re committed to delivering real change in the world. We’re backed to deliver on a mission that matters by Tier 1 investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC, BOND, Blackbird, Promus Ventures, Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and Icehouse Ventures.
Halter is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you think you have what it takes but don't necessarily tick every requirement, please still get in touch. We’d love to chat!
