Employment Counsel

Axiom; Melbourne; Remote; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom is partnering with a well‑regarded university to place a Legal Counsel within its legal team. The role acts as a service‑focused first point of contact across employment, disputes, complaints and investigations, supporting senior counsel to deliver timely, high‑quality advice.

You will oversee complex investigations involving students, staff, and third parties, with a focus on confidentiality and policy compliance, while collaborating with stakeholders across the university.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience as a lawyer in workplace relations (employment, industrial relations, safety, discrimination) and administrative law; higher education sector experience (in-house or private practice) is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to deliver timely, business-relevant legal advice, working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders at different levels.
• Demonstrated capacity to operate with a high level of confidentiality, diplomacy, and influence, supported by excellent interpersonal and time management skills.
• Able to work autonomously in a fast‑paced team environment, bringing a positive, can‑do attitude.

Responsibilities

• Act as a service-focused, proactive point of contact for internal clients and external parties across people/HR, workplace relations, student conduct and dispute matters, and other portfolios as required.
• Provide legal and strategic advice on staff and student disputes, including negotiation, mediation, resolution strategies, and management of court and tribunal proceedings (including briefing and managing external counsel).
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with key stakeholders and their teams, and deliver business-focused legal training on contemporary issues relevant to them.
• Develop, maintain and enhance template documents and legal resources, and prepare regular legal updates for internal communication channels.
• Manage the use of external legal advisers where appropriate, and ensure work is carried out in line with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Job description

Axiom, a global leader in alternative legal services, is working with a well‑respected university that is seeking a Legal Counsel to sit within the legal team as a service‑focused first point of contact, supporting senior counsel to deliver timely, high‑quality advice across employment, disputes, complaints, and investigations. The role also provides legal oversight of complex investigations involving students, staff, and third parties, particularly where serious misconduct and elevated legal risk are involved.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a service-focused, proactive point of contact for internal clients and external parties across people/HR, workplace relations, student conduct and dispute matters, and other portfolios as required.
• Provide legal and strategic advice on staff and student disputes, including negotiation, mediation, resolution strategies, and management of court and tribunal proceedings (including briefing and managing external counsel).
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with key stakeholders and their teams, and deliver business-focused legal training on contemporary issues relevant to them.
• Develop, maintain and enhance template documents and legal resources, and prepare regular legal updates for internal communication channels.
• Manage the use of external legal advisers where appropriate, and ensure work is carried out in line with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Requirements:

• Substantial experience as a lawyer in workplace relations (employment, industrial relations, safety, discrimination) and administrative law; higher education sector experience (in-house or private practice) is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to deliver timely, business-relevant legal advice, working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders at different levels.
• Demonstrated capacity to operate with a high level of confidentiality, diplomacy, and influence, supported by excellent interpersonal and time management skills.
• Able to work autonomously in a fast‑paced team environment, bringing a positive, can‑do attitude.

Why Join Axiom?

• World‑class clients – our global presence provides direct access to opportunities with premier companies, including F100 and ASX‑listed organisations, allowing you to roadmap your career with exciting and challenging work.
• Flexibility – we work with you to achieve the highest level of flexibility – in the way that you define it. Whether you prefer remote work, a greater breadth of exposure, or even more personal time – we match you with opportunities to help you reach these goals.
• A dedicated talent team – we put in the effort to make sure your experience is nothing short of exceptional, by assigning you a dedicated talent partner that oversees your journey with us from when you join Axiom, to starting your first engagement, and all future engagements!
• Referral bonus – once you start working with us, refer your legal peers and enjoy a generous referral bonus as a thank you for expanding the Axiom community!

Axiom is the global leader in high‑calibre, on‑demand legal talent. Covering North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC, we enable legal departments to drive efficiency and growth and meet the demands of today’s business landscape with best in breed alternate legal services.

Axiom is a leader in diversity, inclusion, and social engagement. Diversity is core to our values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be named a best place to work for LGBTQ+ Equality, earning top marks in the 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the second consecutive year. Axiom’s legal department is Mansfield certified and is committed to considering at least 50% diverse candidates for leadership roles and outside counsel representation.

Learn more about working at Axiom.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Axiom ensures equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Axiom prohibits and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

We understand that many legal professionals have chosen to adopt the consultancy model, and we are happy to discuss this option with you. We offer both consultants and employees the opportunity to work with our enviable client roster. Contact us in complete confidence to find out more about opportunities to work with Axiom as an employee or consultant.

Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities: Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Axiom will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in each stage of the recruitment process. To request an accommodation to complete the application form, please contact us at [e-mail] and include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject line.

Axiom respects your privacy. For an explanation of the kind of information we collect about you and how it is used, our full privacy notice is available at https://www.axiomlaw.com/privacy-notice.

Employment with Axiom may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, providing proof of identity, and possessing the necessary legal authorization to work.

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that all information contained therein, and provided at any part of the application process, is correct and accurate to the best of your knowledge.