Chief Legal Counsel

QinetiQ; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology and engineering firm in Australia is seeking a seasoned legal professional to join its leadership team, focusing on legal, commercial, and ethical governance. This role requires substantial experience in commercial law and a proven ability to engage with local and global stakeholders. Candidates should possess strong relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset. This position also offers flexible work and a diverse, inclusive environment.

Benefits

Access to ongoing development including LinkedIn Learning

Flexible work

Purchased leave program

Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave

Annual bonus scheme

Complimentary salary continuance insurance

Annual volunteering leave

Relaxed dress code

Qualifications

• Significant, senior level experience in legal roles.
• Experience in complex and international organizations.
• Ability to operate at a strategic level.

Responsibilities

• Deliver legal, commercial, and ethics services.
• Provide counsel on commercial transactions.
• Manage governance and compliance policies.

Skills

Commercial law expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Governance and compliance management

Relationship building

Transformational change management

Education

Qualified commercial lawyer

Job description

Overview

Location: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra or Melbourne (Australia)

QinetiQ is a global technology and engineering company that exists to protect lives and secure the future. With more than 8,000 employees worldwide - including 800+ here in Australia - we deliver mission-critical services and systems to Defence, national security, and essential industry.

Following a strategic redesign, we’ve sharpened our focus and are investing in the future - starting with the people who will help shape it.

If you're driven by purpose, passionate about solving complex problems, and ready to make a real impact - there’s never been a better time to join us.

With a presence in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada and Germany, we bring global expertise to local challenges, helping build Australia’s sovereign industrial capability for the future.

We are pleased to welcome applications from seasoned legal professionals for a key role on our Australian leadership team. In terms of location, applicants from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra or Melbourne are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and lead on the delivery of legal, commercial, trade controls, and ethics and probity services which enable the achievement of the business strategic objectives
• Provide strategic counsel and advice on a range of commercial transactions and the spectrum of legal subjects involved in the effective delivery of the business strategy
• Ensure appropriate trade controls management processes are in place as part of our ‘licence to trade’
• Proactively manage ethics and probity processes and issues
• Support the Group (UK) Director Legal & Company Secretary on the legal aspects of establishing and maintaining effective governance and compliance policies and processes in relation to Group subsidiary companies
• Maintain awareness of, and monitor for changes in, the regulatory environment within Australia, supporting the Australia leadership in meeting their statutory obligations
• Support the implementation of relevant corporate governance policies and processes
• Manage the effective engagement and use of external legal counsel, where required

Qualifications

• Qualified commercial lawyer with significant, senior level experience encompassing experience as a solicitor or barrister (or international equivalent) and extensive in-house experience at a c-suite or equivalent level
• Experience of working in, or with, complex and international organisations and/or with complex technologies (ideally defence and national security industry or similar)
• Experience in successfully delivering in a global or multi-national company
• Strong relationship building skills with ability to make connections and partner with local and global stakeholders
• An understanding of how to successfully deliver in a matrix organisation, including partnering effectively with functional peers
• A proven ability to manage business governance and assurance whilst being adaptable and agile
• Demonstrable capability to operate at a strategic level, develop and deliver transformational change and improve operational service delivery

An understanding of commercial contracting and of trade controls within an Australian Defence industry context will be highly regarded.

Security and eligibility

Due to the nature of this role, applicants must be eligible for Australian Defence security clearance. Current security clearance will be considered favourably.

How to apply

Whilst applications must be made online, confidential enquiries are welcome and may be directed to Cathy Riach, Talent Acquisition Director. A position description is available upon request.

Applications close Sunday 19th October, 2025.

Benefits

• Access to ongoing development including LinkedIn Learning
• Flexible work
• Purchased leave program and loyalty leave
• Up to 18weeks paid parental leave
• Annual bonus scheme and long-term incentive plan
• Complimentary salary continuance insurance
• Annual volunteering leave with Operation Give Back
• Relaxed dress code

At QinetiQ we value diversity of thought and provide a flexible and inclusive environment where our people can bring their whole selves to work. We actively seek applications from people who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We also encourage applications from women, veterans and First Nations people.

QinetiQ conducts pre-employment screening, including but not limited to identity verification and police checks, for all preferred candidates.