Legal Counsel - Property

Sydney Water; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Hybrid work environment

Professional growth

Wellbeing support

Private health insurance discounts

Parental leave

Fitness passport

Novated leasing

Job summary

Sydney Water is seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Counsel - Property to join our Legal and Compliance team. You will advise on property transactions, compulsory acquisitions, land access, planning and infrastructure development, supporting the Head of Legal and Compliance and the Senior Legal Counsel Manager in delivering practical, high‑quality legal guidance.

This hybrid role involves drafting and negotiating leases, licences, and other property agreements; managing regulatory

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in law.
• NSW practising certificate is essential.
• 3–6 years post-admission experience as a property lawyer, ideally in private practice and in-house.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely and high-quality legal advice across all areas of law relevant to Sydney Water, with a focus on property law.
• Draft, review, and negotiate leases, licences, compulsory acquisitions, disposals, easements and property-related agreements.
• Advise on legislative compliance under relevant acts (e.g., Sydney Water Act 1994, Land Acquisition Act).
• Support operational teams with property-related legal enquiries.
• Manage and oversee litigation matters with external advisers.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners for effective service delivery.
• Contribute to knowledge management within the Legal and Compliance team.

Skills

Drafting contracts

Property law

Negotiation

Legal research

Commercial drafting

Education

Law degree

NSW practising certificate

Job description

Sydney Water is seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Counsel - Property to join our Legal and Compliance team. This role will support the Head of Legal and Compliance and the Senior Legal Counsel Manager – Property, Planning and Environment in delivering high-quality legal advice and services to Sydney Water.

About the Role

You will play a key role in advising on legal matters relevant to Sydney Water’s operations and business activities. You will work closely with internal stakeholders, providing timely and practical legal guidance, particularly in relation to property transactions, compulsory acquisitions, land access issues, planning, and infrastructure development. In addition, you will advise on Sydney Water’s rights and obligations under relevant legislation, work with a diverse range of third parties and support the business on a range of legal, commercial and operational challenges. You will work in a friendly, supportive and collaborative team within a fast-paced environment and enjoy significant opportunities to develop your legal expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely and high-quality legal advice across all areas of law relevant to Sydney Water, with a strong focus on property law.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial and property-related transactions, including leases, licences, compulsory acquisitions, disposals, easements and a wide range of agreements.
• Advise on legislative compliance, particularly under the Sydney Water Act 1994 and the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
• Support operational teams with day-to-day property-related legal enquiries.
• Manage and oversee litigation matters in collaboration with external legal advisers.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure effective legal service delivery.
• Contribute to knowledge management by capturing and sharing legal insights and corporate knowledge across the Legal and Compliance team.

About You

• Tertiary qualification in law is essential.
• Demonstrated legal experience in the relevant area of law is essential.
• NSW practising certificate is essential.
• 3-6 years of post-admission experience as a property lawyer, ideally gained in both private practice and in-house, with training at a mid or top-tier law firm.
• Strong commercial drafting, reviewing, and negotiation skills across a range of property transactions.
• Experience working on matters involving government authorities and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to identify and assess commercial and legal risks effectively.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with sound commercial judgment in complex legal matters.
• Desirable: Experience in land/easement acquisition (by agreement and compulsory process), Aboriginal land rights, and/or Native Title.

Closing date: 11.59pm AEST on Monday 28th September

Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check and a medical assessment either online or in person.You must be anAustralian CitizenorPermanent Residentat the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role.

Dive into Our Great Benefits:

• Competitive Remuneration: We’ll ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately.
• Hybrid Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work model that balances remote work and office collaboration, supporting our team's productivity and well-being.
• Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success.
• 24/7 Wellbeing Support: Access for you and your family to free and confidential mental health and general health support through our EAP portal.
• Discounted Private Health Insurance: Unlock affordable access to top-tier health coverage with our discounted insurance plans.
• Family First:Prioritise your family with up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a childcare allowance.
• Fitness Passport:Achieve your physical fitness goals using our Fitness Passport, granting you access to a multitude of gyms and pools across NSW.
• Novated Leasing: Get in the driver's seat of your financial future with our novated lease options.

Working at Sydney Water

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. Your personal information may also be used to establish a Dayforce talent profile. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with Dayforce’s Terms and Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement– recruitment. Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which include a criminal history check.