Description:
Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.
- Ongoing full-time opportunity
- Parramatta, Newcastle, Orange and other NSW location by negotiation
- Salary relative to experience and ranges from $146,822 to $170,981 + super
What’s in it for me?
Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support . We offer flexibility in work arrangements , diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.
As a Principal Legal Officer , you’ll work with a legal team who are dedicated to providing expert advice and innovative legal services on a range of complex areas and commercial transactions relevant to DPHI, which may include commercial agreements, leases and other property-related agreements, government procurement, intellectual property, construction, , grants, and technology solutions, including cyber security and emerging technologies like AI. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and experienced lawyer to join a dedicated team and undertake exciting legal work to achieve positive outcomes for the NSW Government and the people of New South Wales.
Your role will encompass:
- Providing specialist, timely and client focused legal advice on complex areas of law and policy to Ministers, the Secretary, senior executives and staff of DPHI to support strategic decision-making and appropriately manage legal risk.
- Advising on high-value and complex projects to drive timely and regulatory robust outcomes in line with NSW Government objectives and timeframes.
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of contracts and other legal documents.
- Engaging with a range of stakeholders to build strong relationships and deliver client focused legal services.
- Supervising and mentoring legal staff to ensure quality service delivery and expand the team’s legal capability.
- Keeping abreast of contemporary legal advancements, particularly in relevant areas of legal expertise and emerging areas of innovation and technology.
- Undertaking research and analysis, providing options, making recommendations on complex matters and developing solutions to achieve positive client and DPHI outcomes.
Key challenges include:
- Providing high quality legal services, often without supervision, to effectively manage legal risks in relation to high volume complex and sensitive legal matters consistent with legislation, policy considerations and contemporary good practice.
- Providing solutions focused advice within tight timeframes and managing competing stakeholder priorities and interests while meeting DPHI’s statutory and legal obligations.
You will be joining a highly collaborative and supportive team with strong stakeholder relationships. We are viewed as trusted advisors in their decision making. Our work is interesting and varied, often incorporating elements of commercial law, property law, technology law, intellectual property law, construction law, administrative law and statutory interpretation. No two days will be the same!
For more information read the full Role Description: Principal Legal Officer
What you will bring to the role
- Highly motivated and experienced legal professional with demonstrated expertise in leading the drafting and negotiation of one or more of the following:
- commercial contracts, including ICT, IP, construction and other procurements;
- leases, licence, contracts for sale and other property-related agreements; and/or
- grant arrangements and funding agreements.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a commitment to the use of 'plain' English, attention to detail and accuracy.
- Leadership experience, including managing workloads and mentoring junior staff.
- Proven ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide advice that is clear, concise and outcomes focussed.
- The ability to build strong relationships and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels
- A proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach to legal problem-solving.
- Extensive inhouse or private practice commercial legal experience.
Essential requirement:
Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, a NSW Practising Certificate.
About us
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.
We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.
Join us
If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.
Applications close Wednesday, 9 April 2025 11:55PM
Should you require further information about the role please contact Aimee Allan on aimee.allan@dpie.nsw.gov.au
A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.
Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.
If we can make adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team on Diversity@DPIE.nsw.gov.au If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out our Aboriginal guide to applying for a role.