Head of Legal

Naiman Clarke; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Naiman Clarke is seeking an experienced in-house solicitor to lead the day-to-day legal function for a growing NSW-based group. You will work directly with senior executives on major projects and transactions and mentor a small legal team.

In this role you will advise on property development, acquisitions, disposals, leasing and infrastructure, draft and negotiate complex contracts, and provide broad commercial guidance across disputes, employment, and regulatory matters.

Qualifications

• Approximately 10+ years PQE with NSW practising certificate.
• Strong property development and construction experience across complex transactions.
• Experience across acquisitions, disposals, development agreements, construction contracts, leasing and infrastructure.
• Ideally trained in a well-regarded private practice before moving into an in-house environment.
• Broad commercial capability across contracts, employment and disputes, with sound judgement on when to brief external counsel.
• Experience managing external law firms, legal budgets and senior executive stakeholders.
• Strong people leadership, commercial judgement and the ability to operate independently in a lean environment.
• Experience across BESS, data centres or digital infrastructure will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery, prioritisation and management of the Group Legal function.
• Advise on property development, acquisitions, disposals, leasing, easements and infrastructure arrangements.
• Draft and negotiate development agreements, construction, consultancy and commercial contracts.
• Provide broader advice across corporate, commercial, employment, regulatory and dispute matters.
• Support major projects and transactions across Property, BESS and Digital Infrastructure.
• Manage disputes, external law firms, legal budgets and specialist external advice.
• Lead and mentor two paralegals and an Acquisition Transaction Manager as the team grows.

Skills

Property development

Construction

Acquisitions

Disposals

Leasing

Contract negotiations

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Education

NSW practising certificate

Bachelor of Laws

Job description

• Lead the day-to‑day legal function within a growing organization
• Work directly with senior executives on major projects and transactions
• Manage and develop a growing internal legal team

About your new employer:

• Join a growing and commercially focuses organisation based on Norwest
• Work across significant property, infrastructure and corporate projects
• Be part of a business undergoing continued growth and transformation

About the role:

• 4-5 days in office
• Lead the day‑to‑day delivery, prioritisation and management of the Group Legal function.
• Advise on property development, acquisitions, disposals, leasing, easements and infrastructure arrangements.
• Draft and negotiate development agreements, construction, consultancy and commercial contracts.
• Provide broader advice across corporate, commercial, employment, regulatory and dispute matters.
• Support major projects and transactions across Property, BESS and Digital Infrastructure.
• Manage disputes, external law firms, legal budgets and specialist external advice.
• Lead and mentor two paralegals and an Acquisition Transaction Manager as the team grows.

The ideal candidate:

• Approximately 10+ years PQE with a current NSW practising certificate.
• Strong property development and construction experience across complex transactions.
• Experience across acquisitions, disposals, development agreements, construction contracts, leasing and infrastructure.
• Ideally trained in a well-regarded private practice before moving into an in-house environment.
• Broad commercial capability across contracts, employment and disputes, with sound judgement on when to brief external counsel.
• Experience managing external law firms, legal budgets and senior executive stakeholders.
• Strong people leadership, commercial judgement and the ability to operate independently in a lean environment.
• Experience across BESS, data centres or digital infrastructure will be highly regarded.