Lead Solicitor - Regulatory and Corporate

Energy Safe Victoria; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Flexible leave options

Professional development

Employee assistance program

Home office subsidy

Novated leasing

Job summary

Energy Safe Victoria is seeking a Lead Solicitor - Regulatory and Corporate to drive strategic legal guidance across regulatory, corporate and information governance matters. You will lead the commercial practice, manage external counsel, and mentor junior lawyers while supporting major organisational projects and regulatory initiatives.

The role requires substantial senior in-house/government experience, a strong governance mindset and the ability to advise executive leaders on risk and

Qualifications

• A relevant law qualification and admission to practice as an Australian lawyer with Victorian Practising Certificate.
• Significant senior experience in-house, government and/or private practice providing strategic, practical advice on regulatory and corporate matters.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing a legal team; managing external providers and large projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice across regulatory, corporate, privacy and governance matters.
• Lead commercial legal practice, including contracts, information sharing and intellectual property.
• Brief Executives and senior decision-makers on complex issues; manage external legal services.

Skills

Regulatory law

Corporate governance

Contract negotiation

Privacy compliance

Leadership

AI governance

Education

Law degree & Practising Certificate (Australia)

Tools

Microsoft Copilot

Legal research tools

Job description

Lead Solicitor - Regulatory and Corporate

Protecting what matters. Powering a safer future.

At Energy Safe Victoria our purpose is to keep Victorians energy safe and ensure energy is used confidently across our state. Through education,regulationand enforcement, we deliver trusted regulatory outcomes that support a safe, reliable and sustainable energy future. Join a team of passionate professionals committed to making a genuine difference for Victorian communities.

About the opportunity

Energy Safe Victoria is seeking an experienced legal professional to join our Legal and Procurement Department as Lead Solicitor - Regulatory and Corporate. This senior role provides an exciting opportunity to lead complex, high-profile legal matters and projects, delivering strategic advice on regulatory, corporate, privacy, information governance and emerging artificial intelligence initiatives. As a trusted adviser to executive leaders and key decision-makers, you will play a critical role in managing legal risk, driving best-practice governance outcomes, and supporting organisational decision-making. You will also mentor and develop junior legal staff, oversee external legal service providers, and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal services across the organisation, helping ensure energy is safe for all Victorians and our environment.

What you'll contribute

• Provide strategic legal advice across regulatory, corporate, employment, privacy, FOI and compliance matters.
• Lead the commercial legal practice, including contracts, commercial agreements, information sharing and intellectual property matters.
• Deliver high-quality legal advice and briefings to Executive Leaders and senior decision-makers on complex and strategic issues.
• Manage external legal providers and Counsel to deliver efficient, cost-effective legal services.
• Lead legal support for organisational projects, regulatory initiatives and legislative reform activities.
• Oversee complex FOI matters and provide strategic guidance on information governance and disclosure obligations.
• Lead privacy, legislative compliance, data security, AI governance and emerging technology risk management initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, regulators, government agencies and external advisers.
• Mentor, support and develop solicitors and contribute to a high-performing legal team.
• Ensure legal records, reporting and governance obligations are met in line with professional and public sector standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance legal capability, service delivery and organisational outcomes.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as required.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Significant senior legal experience gained in-house, government and/or private practice, with demonstrated experience providing strategic, practical advice on complex regulatory and corporate matters.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supporting and developing legal professionals and building capability within a legal team.
• Significant experience leading complex contracts, commercial agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and information-sharing arrangements.
• Strong experience advising on privacy, Freedom of Information, information governance and legislative compliance, including complex or sensitive matters.
• Proven ability to provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to executive leaders, governance forums and senior decision-makers, balancing legal risk with organisational objectives.
• Strong understanding of governance, regulatory frameworks, public sector accountability and organisational risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships, influence outcomes and work effectively with senior stakeholders, government agencies, regulators and external advisers.
• Experience managing external legal providers and Counsel to achieve high-quality and cost-effective outcomes.
• Strong judgement, strategic thinking, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, including using technology and new ways of working to improve legal services.
• A relevant law qualification, admission to practice as an Australian Lawyer and a current Victorian Practising Certificate, or eligibility to obtain one.
• A strong commitment to Energy Safe Victoria's values of integrity, engagement, adaptability, respect and excellence.

Additional experience we value

Experience across one or more of the following areas will be highly regarded:

• Government, regulatory or public sector environments
• Victoria's energy safety or administrative law frameworks
• Artificial intelligence governance or digital transformation
• Data security and emerging technology risk
• Procurement or major organisational projects
• Organisational change or legal service improvement
• Legal technology, including Microsoft Copilot

Why Energy Safe?

• Work with purpose - use your legal expertise on matters that directly contribute to the safety of Victorian communities.
• Have genuine influence - advise senior leaders and help shape regulatory, governance and emerging technology approaches.
• Work flexibly - hybrid working arrangements, accrued credit hours and other flexible work options.
• Balance work and life - additional leave options including cultural, volunteer, community service and study leave, plus the option to purchaseadditional leave.
• Support for families and different life stages - paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers and reproductive health leave.
• Keep developing - learning and development opportunities, exposure to complex legal work and support for career growth.
• Be part of an inclusive workplace - supported through our Diversity and Inclusion Council, Gender Equality Action Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Look after your wellbeing - Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing initiatives, Fitness Passport, annual flu vaccinations and skin checks.
• Additional benefits - $250 annual home office subsidy and novated leasing through SG Fleet.

Applications must be submitted online by COB 4thNovember 2026.

Successful applicants will be required to complete pre-employment checks, including reference checks and a satisfactory National Police Check.

Energy Safe Victoria welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the Victorian community and a workplace where everyone feels respected, included and able to contribute.

We want our recruitment process and workplace to be accessible. If you require adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process, or to perform the role, please let us know so we can work with you to provide the support you need.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions about the position or the recruitment process including reasonable adjustments, please contact People & Culture at ***************@energysafe.vic.gov.au