Legal Officer

Findstaff; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Findstaff is seeking a Legal Officer for a 6-month contract with full-time hours to provide practical legal advice across council operations. Based within the Finance and Procurement Group, this role offers exposure to commercial contracts, procurement, governance, compliance and risk management.

As a Legal Officer, you will review and negotiate contracts, assist with governance and compliance, support procurement activities, and contribute to dispute resolution.

Qualifications

• Law degree and eligibility for admission as a lawyer in NSW.
• Experience in legal practice, contracts, procurement, compliance, governance, or related legal environment.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly.
• Strong stakeholder management and pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical legal advice to Council staff across business units.
• Review, draft, review and negotiate contracts, deeds and procurement documentation.
• Support procurement and contract management activities.
• Assist with governance, compliance and legal risk management.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and legal documentation.
• Deliver legal guidance and training to staff where required.
• Support dispute resolution and stakeholder negotiations.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Legal advice

Communication skills

Independent working

Education

Law degree

Admission to NSW Bar / eligibility

Job description

Findstaff provides comprehensive employment solutions across Blue and White-Collar industries. FindStaff have over 30 years' involvement in sourcing professional, experienced and astute candidates for businesses of all sizes & requirements.

Are you a qualified legal professional looking for a diverse in-house role where you can make a real impact? Our client is seeking a Legal Officer to join the team on a 6-month contract with fulltime hours and provide practical legal advice across a broad range of council operations. Based within the Finance and Procurement Group, this role offers exposure to commercial contracts, procurement, governance, compliance, and risk management.

About the Role

As Legal Officer, you will support Council staff across all business units by delivering timely and commercially focused legal advice. You will review and negotiate contracts, strengthen governance frameworks, support procurement activities, assist with compliance matters, and contribute to dispute resolution and risk mitigation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide practical legal advice to Council stakeholders.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, deeds and procurement documentation.
• Support procurement and contract management activities.
• Assist with governance, compliance and legal risk management.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and legal documentation.
• Deliver legal guidance and training to staff where required.
• Support dispute resolution and stakeholder negotiations.

About You

To be successful, you will have:

• A Law degree and eligibility for admission as a lawyer in New South Wales.
• Experience in legal practice, contracts, procurement, compliance, governance, or a related legal environment.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain English.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Local Government or public sector experience.
• Procurement and tendering legislation knowledge.
• Experience in commercial contracts, property transactions, ICT, construction, or waste management matters.
• Knowledge of privacy, environmental, planning, intellectual property, or compliance-related legislation.

What's on Offer?

• 6-month contract opportunity with potential of extension/s
• Broad exposure to commercial, governance and procurement matters.
• Collaborative and supportive environment.
• Opportunity to influence Council-wide legal and compliance practices.

If you are a commercially minded legal professional who enjoys providing practical advice and building strong stakeholder relationships, we'd love to hear from you.