• Office of the General Counsel/North Sydney
• Provide high-level legal advice and services to ACU
• Be responsible for promoting quality decision making in areas affecting ACU's legal obligations and interests
• Full time continuing positions based in North Sydney

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is an inclusive community which welcomes students and staff of all beliefs. ACU has over 2,500 staff supporting more than 34,000 students across nine campuses– Adelaide, Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

As valued members of our community, all staff members are expected to have an understanding of ACU's mission and values and to demonstrate an active contribution to them.

The Office of General Counsel acts on behalf of the University and provides legal advice and services to management and staff across a broad range of legal issues in a coordinated and cost-effective manner. It has an oversight function in terms of the University’s broader strategic activities and informs stakeholders of relevant legal developments. The OGC also manages the engagement of external lawyers on behalf of the University.

Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for providing high-level legal advice and services to ACU through the Office of General Counsel across a broad range of legal and corporate issues in order to maximise the quality of decision making and mitigate legal risks for Australian Catholic UniversityLimited.

More specifically the role entails:

• Providing authoritative legal advice, recommendations and assistance to a range of University stakeholders
• Reviewing the University's legal documentation such as contracts, deeds, MoUs, licences, statutes/regulations and policy from a legal perspective to ensure the mitigation of legal risks.
• Selecting, briefing and instructing counsel and external solicitors, when required, and over seeing the provision of those services to ensure the quality of their work.
• Managing ongoing legal issues on a case by case basis for the University

You will need to have:

• Completion of a law degree with subsequent substantial relevant post qualification experience in at least three of the following areas of law within the last two years: commercial contracts, corporations law, intellectual property, administrative law, property law and/or leasing, building and construction law, employment or industrial relations law, litigation and dispute resolution and privacy law.
• Current unrestricted Australian Practising Certificate conferring admission to practice as an Australian Lawyer.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and legal advice and guidance in an ethical, independent and impartial manner across a range of specialised and complex legal and regulatory issues.
• Knowledge of the structure and operations of the higher education sector, laws and major issues and challenges faced.
• Sound understanding of the requirements imposed upon corporate entities by the Corporations Act (2001).
• Extensive demonstrated experience in negotiating and drafting a wide range of commercial contracts.

The University pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.

How to Apply:

Obtain the Position Description10605023 Senior Legal Counsel 13 May 2021 Updated.pdf. Applicants are expected to address all selection criteria listed in the position description. To apply for this role click the "Apply" link below. Visit Hints and Tips on how to apply.

Total remuneration valued to $135,972 - $145,092 pa, including salary component $114,981 - $122,776 pa (Higher Education Worker Level 9), employer contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

General enquiries can be sent to Jack Ding at [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Legal Counsel enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Only candidates with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.

Equal Opportunity and Privacy of personal information is University policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers

ACU is committed to diversity and social inclusion in its employment practices. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and people from culturally diverse groups are encouraged.