Conducting an Executive Search for a Legal Counsel to strengthen legal compliance and stakeholder engagement in a national health organisation.
The Brief
This large, diversified healthcare provider with a national footprint engaged Future Leadership™ to appoint a Legal Counsel for its newly established division responsible for delivering a major government contract. The division required a legal professional with strong experience in litigation, administrative law, and contract compliance. The role was positioned as a key legal advisor within a dynamic, growth-focused environment and reported directly to the division’s executive leader. The environment was highly complex, fast-paced, and deadline-driven, with multiple contracts requiring immediate legal oversight. The organisation needed a legal leader who could act as the central point of contact for all legal matters—someone highly experienced, commercially astute, and capable of operating calmly in ambiguity.
The successful candidate would be responsible for ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, advising operational managers on legal and compliance matters, managing external legal providers, and supporting dispute resolution and employment relations issues. The ideal candidate was expected to bring a minimum of five years’ legal experience, strong communication and negotiation skills, and a proven ability to manage legal risk in a high-pressure, multi-stakeholder environment. The organisation sought someone who could foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and contribute to the development of legal frameworks and processes
The Process
Future Leadership™ designed and executed a national executive search strategy tailored to the complexity and confidentiality of the assignment. The search was conducted across Australia and New Zealand, supported by a targeted advertising campaign in major national publications and digital platforms. The strategy included outreach to candidates from similar organisations and jurisdictions, engagement with internal candidates and referral networks, and use of proprietary databases and in-house research.
The assignment followed a structured 10-week timeline, beginning with client briefing and position description development, followed by advertising, research, interviews, and final selection. Candidates were assessed on strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, legal acumen, leadership, adaptability, and ethical integrity using the Future Leadership™ Capability Framework.
One candidate emerged as the leading choice due to their extensive legal background, which included senior roles in government and private practice. Their experience spanned dispute resolution, litigation strategy, stakeholder management, and legal advisory work in complex regulatory environments. The candidate demonstrated a strong understanding of healthcare law, administrative processes, and contract compliance, and had a proven track record of mentoring junior lawyers and implementing legal systems and processes.
The Outcome
The selected candidate was appointed Legal Counsel and brought immediate capability to the organisation’s legal operations. The appointee was described as having a brilliant legal mind, exceptional resilience, and unwavering ethical standards. With an ability to interpret complex legislation the appointee also brought critical skills in managing legal and agency risk, and synthesising large volumes of conflicting information. The candidate was also recognised for their leadership, stakeholder engagement, and ability to work collaboratively in emotionally charged environments.
Their appointment enabled the organisation to navigate contractual obligations with confidence, mitigate legal risk across a complex service delivery model, and enhance internal compliance and external legal coordination. The candidate’s inclusive values and ethical leadership aligned strongly with the organisation’s mission and culture.
