u&u Recruitment Partners are proud to be partnering exclusively with IWS Group in the search for their inaugural General Counsel & Company Secretary. Sydney based.
 
About IWS Group:
 
IWS Group is an Australian waste management and resource recovery company, that now forms part of Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Established in 1964, it has grown into a fully integrated provider servicing municipal, commercial and industrial sectors and, following a period of rapid acquisition and expansion, is in an exciting phase of growth.
 
The business is underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, delivering end-to-end services across collection, recycling, organics processing and landfill management. Through advanced facilities, IWS maximises diversion from landfill and converts waste into valuable products, including recycled materials and compost.
 
Its capabilities are strengthened by a portfolio of businesses including Recycle Central, Benedict Recycling, Purple Cow, and Eco Resources, expanding its reach across construction, demolition recycling and resource recovery and creating a truly national business.
 
What Your Role Will Look Like:

• The inaugural General Counsel & Company Secretary will lead the development of the Group’s legal and governance capability;

• As the sole in-house lawyer, you will play a central role in shaping the legal and governance foundations of a complex, multi-entity business, supporting its transition from a founder-led structure to a fully integrated business; and

• Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a high-impact executive position combining strategic advisory with hands-on delivery across legal, governance and compliance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing and leading the legal and company secretariat function;

• Leading contract standardisation and commercial risk management across the Group;

• Advising on M&A transactions, due diligence and post-acquisition integration;

• Overseeing property, leasing, licensing and regulatory obligations;

• Driving best practice corporate governance frameworks and Board processes;

• Acting as Company Secretary, supporting the Board and establishing sub-committee structures;

• Managing external counsel and optimising legal spend; and

• Embedding compliance, risk and governance capability across the executive team.

You will bring:

• 10+ years’ post-qualification legal experience, ideally from a major law firm and similar in-house roles;

• Strong expertise in commercial contracting, corporate governance and regulatory compliance;

• Experience managing pre-existing and future leasing arrangements, license renewals, long-term contractual obligations and balance sheet exposure;

• Demonstrated experience working closely with executives and Boards;

• Experience in complex, multi-entity or private equity-backed environments;

• Exposure to M&A and post-integration activity;

• An ability to manage external law firms and legal spend;

• Proven capability as a Company Secretary or in governance leadership roles; and

• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Experience in infrastructure, industrials, waste, resources or quarry sectors will be highly regarded.
 
How to Apply:
 
For more information or a confidential discussion please call Matt Brown at u&u on 0438 505 280 or email matt.brown@uandu.com quoting reference number 45058.

At u&u Recruitment Partners, we value diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability.
 
Should you require reasonable adjustments or have a preferred method of communication throughout the recruitment process, we encourage you to make a request via adjustments@uandu.com or phone the above-mentioned u&u consultant to discuss. In response to these requests, we will collaborate closely with you to implement the appropriate adjustments.
 
Additionally, for a barrier-free and inclusive online experience, you can access u&u’s opportunities using accessibility software Recite Me at https://www.uandu.com/jobs.
 
Please submit your resume in Word format only.