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Legal Counsel | Lending & Transactions
- Posted19 February 2026
- LocationAuckland
- Job type Permanent
- Discipline In - House Legal
- Reference1024126
Job description
About the Organisation
Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) is part of the Community Finance Group, which has been operating since 2019. Together they are the leading lender to the community and affordable housing sector, on a mission to help address New Zealand’s affordable housing crisis. By bringing together debt capital markets, impact investors, the government and philanthropists, CHFA supports community and affordable housing providers nationwide. They combine market discipline with social purpose to invest in stronger communities and our country’s future. With over $500m of loans advanced nationwide and a plan to grow to over $1bn, this is a unique opportunity to join one of the fastest growing organisations in the country with a clear social mission and real impact.
About the Role
This is a newly created opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join CHFA’s lending team at an exciting time of growth. This is a hands-on transactional role working closely with the Head of Lending & General Counsel, supporting the delivery of lending outcomes that directly enable more affordable housing across New Zealand.
This is an end-to-end position where you will take ownership of the legal aspects of transactions (with the support of the GC), including drafting and negotiating loan and security documentation, supporting due diligence, and managing settlement processes, as well as supporting ongoing portfolio work.
In addition, the role will provide exposure to debt capital markets activity, including CHFA’s bond and commercial paper programmes, and bank funding facilities. You will support the General Counsel with these matters and gain experience working alongside external counsel, arrangers, and funders.
This role would suit a lawyer who enjoys working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is motivated by applying strong legal skills to meaningful, purpose-driven outcomes.
Day to Day Responsibilities
Lending Documentation & Transaction Support
You will be joining a purpose-driven organisation where your work will have a direct impact on strengthening communities and supporting the delivery of affordable housing across New Zealand.
This is a great opportunity to work closely with an experienced senior leader in a role that provides strong exposure to secured lending, property and development finance, and complex transactions, while still being hands-on.
On offer is a competitive salary plus KiwiSaver, free onsite parking, professional training support, wellness Prezzy cards, team lunches and a genuinely down-to-earth and supportive culture.
About You
Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) is part of the Community Finance Group, which has been operating since 2019. Together they are the leading lender to the community and affordable housing sector, on a mission to help address New Zealand’s affordable housing crisis. By bringing together debt capital markets, impact investors, the government and philanthropists, CHFA supports community and affordable housing providers nationwide. They combine market discipline with social purpose to invest in stronger communities and our country’s future. With over $500m of loans advanced nationwide and a plan to grow to over $1bn, this is a unique opportunity to join one of the fastest growing organisations in the country with a clear social mission and real impact.
About the Role
This is a newly created opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join CHFA’s lending team at an exciting time of growth. This is a hands-on transactional role working closely with the Head of Lending & General Counsel, supporting the delivery of lending outcomes that directly enable more affordable housing across New Zealand.
This is an end-to-end position where you will take ownership of the legal aspects of transactions (with the support of the GC), including drafting and negotiating loan and security documentation, supporting due diligence, and managing settlement processes, as well as supporting ongoing portfolio work.
In addition, the role will provide exposure to debt capital markets activity, including CHFA’s bond and commercial paper programmes, and bank funding facilities. You will support the General Counsel with these matters and gain experience working alongside external counsel, arrangers, and funders.
This role would suit a lawyer who enjoys working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is motivated by applying strong legal skills to meaningful, purpose-driven outcomes.
Day to Day Responsibilities
Lending Documentation & Transaction Support
- Draft, review and negotiate loan and security documentation
- Manage transaction workflows, including conditions precedent and settlement deliverables
- Coordinate settlements and support post-settlement processes
- Liaise with borrowers, external legal advisers and other professional advisers to progress transactions efficiently
- Ensure documentation reflects approved credit policies
- Support legal due diligence across lending transactions, including borrower structure, security, and key contractual considerations
- Assist with portfolio maintenance
- Help maintain strong document management processes to ensure audit-ready files and consistent internal standards
- Support continuous improvement of CHFA’s legal templates, processes and transaction checklists
- Assist with legal support for CHFA’s funding activities including bond issuances, commercial paper issuances, and bank funding facilities
- Support preparation, review and coordination of key transaction documents, term sheets and funding documentation
- Work with external counsel, arrangers, and other advisers to support execution and ongoing compliance requirements
- Assist with ongoing programme maintenance, including updating documentation, supporting reporting requirements, and managing key obligations under funding arrangements
- Provide general commercial legal support across the organisation, including review of supplier agreements, NDAs, service contracts, and standard commercial terms
- Support internal governance and company secretarial matters
- Support internal policy and process development
- Assist with legal risk identification and pragmatic problem-solving across day-to-day operational matters
You will be joining a purpose-driven organisation where your work will have a direct impact on strengthening communities and supporting the delivery of affordable housing across New Zealand.
This is a great opportunity to work closely with an experienced senior leader in a role that provides strong exposure to secured lending, property and development finance, and complex transactions, while still being hands-on.
On offer is a competitive salary plus KiwiSaver, free onsite parking, professional training support, wellness Prezzy cards, team lunches and a genuinely down-to-earth and supportive culture.
About You
- Ideally, a 2-4 year PQE NZ qualified lawyer (those with more or less experience may be of interest also)
- Strong transactional exposure with a background in banking and finance, commercial law, property, construction and/or general practice
- Good written and verbal communication skills, as well as attention to detail
- Well organised and comfortable managing multiple matters to meet deadlines
- Practical, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to identify key risks
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external advisers
- Motivated by contributing to meaningful outcomes through a mission-led organisation
