About the role
In this role, you will collaborate closely with the Chief Compliance & Integrity Officer and Managing Special Counsel. As the Senior Legal Counsel – Corporate & Commercial, you will bring a dynamic, strategic, and innovative approach, working across Council to apply a multi-disciplinary perspective in identifying the best solutions to complex legal matters.

Work type: Temporary Full Time (12 months)
Classification: SPL $144,271 plus superannuation

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide specialist legal expertise as a trusted advisor to the organisation, operating as a subject matter expert in one or more areas of law, with a focus general commercial legal practice.
• Responsible for leading the delivery of solutions focussed independent legal advice and strategy relating to general commercial legal practice.
• Brief external legal advisors, including specialist firms and Counsel, manage interactions between the external advisors and the organisation and monitor and manage legal budgets.
• Provide leadership and guidance within the Department and promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Be able to negotiate and positively influence resolutions with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

About you
To be successful in this role, you should have a strong background in general and commercial law, enjoy supporting and collaborating with a team, proactively work with internal clients to find solutions, and maintain positive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Experience/Qualifications:

• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria or similar jurisdiction.
• Currently hold, a valid Practising Certificate.
• Have at least 5 years post-qualification legal experience.
• Substantial legal experience across a broad range of legal practice areas, with significant experience in corporate and general commercial legal practice.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information in an easily understood format.
• Current Working with Children Check (Employee) Victoria.
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now! 

Child Safety Responsibilities   
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion  
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.  

Create our future together at the City of Greater Geelong
Join the City of Greater Geelong, a community-focused workplace on Wadawurrung Country. We deliver over 130 services to our growing population, striving to make our city a great place to live, work, and study. Our central location for Central Geelong-based employees is the Civic Precinct, Wurriki Nyal, a modern, sustainable, and inclusive workplace, along with our outreach locations.

If you're passionate about inclusivity and community, apply now – we’d love to meet you!

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries: Jenny Patterson | Managing Special Counsel | Jenny.Patterson@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience.  We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.