Legal Counsel

Deakin University; Geelong; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site childcare

Flexible working

Staff discounts

Professional development

Job summary

Deakin University is seeking a Legal Counsel within its Assurance capability, part of Legal Services, Compliance, Contract Governance and Risk. You will provide expert advice on employment and workplace law across the University and associated entities, including disputes.

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel - Employment, you will support a key workplace law compliance program, draft documents, review instruments and liaise with regulators and external providers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent with extensive experience.
• Admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner.
• Current Australian Practising Certificate.
• Strong drafting, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in employment, IR or workplace law.
• Ability to provide practical legal solutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on employment, industrial relations and workplace matters.
• Draft and review documents, including communications, agreements and templates.
• Support investigation and review of workplace practices and remediation methodologies.
• Conduct legal research and prepare briefings and guidance for internal stakeholders.
• Advise and represent the University in disputes including negotiation or litigation.
• Support engagement with external regulators and stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks and strengthen governance and assurance processes.

Skills

Legal drafting

Employment & IR law

Dispute resolution

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Admitted to practice (Australian Legal Practitioner)

Australian Practising Certificate

Job description

Our Assurance capability, consisting of Legal Services, Compliance, Contract Governance and Risk develops the University’s assurance frameworks and policies, and provides key expertise that underpins compliance and corporate governance and Deakin's commitment to high standards of integrity.

The Legal Services team advises on a range of legal issues across teaching, learning and research, including advisory support and dispute resolution.

The Legal Counsel is a member of the University’s Legal Services team, providing expert legal advice and services to stakeholders and associated entities on employment, industrial relations and workplace law matters, including litigious matters.

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel - Employment, this role will support a key workplace law compliance program, assisting to ensure the University’s compliance with legislation and industrial instruments, protect the University's interests and manage disputes and risk.

As a Legal Counsel, you will:

• Provide expert legal advice on employment, industrial relations and workplace matters, including interpreting and advising on workplace laws, industrial instruments and policies.
• Draft and review documents, including communications, agreements, templates, tools, and resources.
• Support investigation and review of workplace practices and assist in the development and implementation of pay rules, remediation methodologies, system and process improvements and compliance controls.
• Conduct legal research and prepare briefings, reports and guidance for internal stakeholders, supporting informed decision-making and enhancing skills and knowledge across the compliance program.
• Advise and represent the University in the management and resolution of disputes including through negotiation and/or litigation and managing relationships with external legal providers when required.
• Support the University in its engagement with external regulators and stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks and strengthen internal governance and assurance processes, while building strong stakeholder relationships, delivering timely, high-quality legal services with professionalism, confidentiality, and autonomy.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A Bachelor of Laws degree or other Postgraduate qualifications in law (eg a Juris Doctor) and extensive relevant experience; or equivalent combination of experience and/or education/training
• Been admitted to practice as an Australian Legal Practitioner within the meaning of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
• A current Australian Practising Certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
• Strong drafting, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide practical solutions to legal problems on a timely basis.
• Experience and knowledge in relevant area(s) of legal practice

Applications for this position close on Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 11:55pm.

Benefits for working with us!

• On-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport, and convenient parking.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off, plus a wide range of staff discounts on travel and more.
• Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities, and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow - whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender-based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender-based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process. A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender-based violence. A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.

Please contact ***********@deakin.edu.au for enquiries regarding this role.