Lead Counsel

Greater Western Water; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible WFH

Free onsite parking

16 weeks parental leave

Work Life Balance Days

Income protection and salary continuAn

Health insurance deals

Wellbeing rooms

Job summary

Greater Western Water is seeking two Lead Counsel to join its Legal team in Victoria. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will provide strategic, trusted, and timely legal advice across a broad range of complex matters, while leading and mentoring a small team of legal professionals.

The role supports major infrastructure, contracts, water, public law and litigation. You will influence enterprise-wide outcomes by partnering with senior stakeholders and delivering timely, practical guidance to

Qualifications

• Senior-level legal advisory experience across commercial, regulatory, and public law matters.
• Strong ability to lead, influence, and partner with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on complex commercial, regulatory, and legislative matters across the organisation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, deeds, and other legal documentation.
• Manage litigation, commercial disputes, and sensitive legal matters through to resolution.
• Brief and manage external legal providers to ensure timely and cost-effective services.
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and provide legal partnering support on key enterprise initiatives.
• Lead, coach and mentor direct reports, fostering capability development and high performance.

Education

Tertiary qualification in Law

Admitted to practice as an Australian Legal Practitioner under the Legal Profession Uniform Law

Job description

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• Flexibility to WFH & the Footscray office | Close to Footscray train station
• Lead complex legal matters with organisation-wide impact.
• Partner with senior leaders on key strategic decisions.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing legal team.

About Greater Western Water

We’re water… and more.

GWW is a Victorian government owned water corporation that provides an essential service to some of the fastest-growing communities in Australia, stretching from Melbourne’s CBD to Lancefield in the north and Bacchus Marsh in the west. Click here to learn more

• We embrace flexibility and connection with a balance of on-site and WFH
• Free onsite parking (subject to availability)
• Gender neutral, 16-week parental leave available from commencement
• Eligible full-time employees may access additional Work Life Balance Days, subject to eligibility criteria, helping you prioritise wellbeing and flexibility.
• Free income protection and salary continuance insurance
• Access to corporate health insurance deals with major providers
• Wellbeing, prayer, and sensory rooms in the Footscray and Sunbury office

The opportunity

Lead Counsel x 2

Join Greater Western Water's Legal team and play a key leadership role in supporting one of Victoria's fastest growing and most diverse regions. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will provide strategic, trusted, and timely legal advice across a broad range of complex matters, while leading and mentoring a small team of legal professionals. The Lead Counsel oversees a diverse portfolio of advisory and transactional matters across a broad range of areas, including major infrastructure delivery, commercial contracts, water and public law and litigation. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced lawyer who enjoys partnering with senior stakeholders, influencing enterprise-wide outcomes, and contributing to the delivery of essential services to the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on complex commercial, regulatory, and legislative matters across the organisation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, deeds, and other legal documentation.
• Manage litigation, commercial disputes, and sensitive legal matters through to resolution.
• Brief and manage external legal providers to ensure timely and cost-effective services.
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and provide legal partnering support on key enterprise initiatives.
• Lead, coach and mentor direct reports, fostering capability development and high performance.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated senior-level experience providing legal advice across commercial, regulatory, and public law matters.
• Strong commercial acumen, sound judgement, and the ability to manage complex and sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and influence strategic business outcomes.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial contracts and agreements, including construction contracts.
• Proven litigation and commercial dispute management experience, including engagement with external legal providers.
• High-level of confidence interpreting and advising on legislation, regulatory requirements, and statutory processes.
• Experience within an in-house legal team and/or public sector environment will be highly regarded.

Essential Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Law
• Admitted to practice as an Australian Legal Practitioner under the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

See yourself thrive!

Our vision for GWW is Thriving People and Country. We aim to be as diverse as the communities we serve and are deeply committed to building a workplace where everybody thrives. We’re supportive, inclusive, and friendly, and value everyone for who they are and what they can bring.

We’re seeking applicants across all cultural backgrounds, genders, and abilities, and will make reasonable adjustments as required, so please talk to us about what you need.

The successful candidate will be required to complete pre-employment checks, including reference checks, medical assessments, a national police check, and verification of working rights in Australia.

Applications close: Wednesday, 18 November