Legal Services Manager

u&u Recruitment Partners; Albion; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

u&u Recruitment Partners is partnering with a Queensland Government statutory authority to appoint a senior Legal Services Manager on a temporary contract until 30 June 2027, with potential extension. The role requires strategic leadership of the legal function, oversight of complex regulatory matters, and close collaboration with the Commissioner and Executive Leadership Team.

The successful candidate will lead a high‑performing team, provide authoritative advice on legislation, policy

Qualifications

• Admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Queensland and current practising certificate.
• Minimum 10 years post-admission legal experience.
• Experience in a senior legal leadership role providing complex legal and regulatory advice.
• Public sector / statutory authority or regulator exposure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Legal function and deliver high‑quality legal services aligned with organisational objectives.
• Advise the Commissioner and Executive Leadership Team on complex legal, governance and regulatory matters.
• Oversee litigation, tribunals, internal reviews and regulatory decision‑making processes.
• Develop legislative reform proposals and assess regulatory frameworks.

Skills

Admission to Supreme Court

10+ years post-admission

Senior legal leadership

Public sector experience

Regulatory law & governance

Stakeholder management

Legal risk advice

Change & capability building

Education

Qualified lawyer (LLB/JD)

Job description

About the company

u&u Recruitment Partners is proud to partner with a Queensland Government statutory authority responsible for delivering regulatory oversight, integrity and governance outcomes within a highly regulated industry. The organisation plays a critical role in maintaining public confidence through effective regulation, compliance, enforcement and stakeholder engagement. Working closely with government, industry participants and other oversight bodies, the authority supports a fair, transparent and accountable regulatory environment.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Legal Services Manager to lead the legal function of a Queensland Government statutory authority on a temporary contract basis.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an accomplished legal professional to provide strategic legal guidance directly to the Commissioner and Executive Leadership Team, while overseeing the delivery of high-quality legal services across a complex regulatory environment.

The role will be responsible for leading the Legal team, providing trusted advice on legislative, governance, regulatory and operational matters, and supporting the organisation’s strategic objectives.

Reporting to the Commissioner, you will operate as the organisation’s most senior internal legal advisor, partnering with executive leaders and key stakeholders to manage legal risk, support decision‑making and ensure the effective delivery of statutory functions.

This temporary backfill opportunity is available until 30 June 2027, with the possibility of extension to 31 December 2027, subject to performance and operational requirements.

As the Legal Services Manager, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Legal function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services aligned with organisational objectives;


• Act as a trusted advisor to the Commissioner, Executive Leadership Team and senior stakeholders on complex legal, governance, regulatory and operational matters;


• Lead, develop and support a high‑performing legal team, fostering a culture of integrity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement;


• Oversee complex legal matters including litigation, tribunal proceedings, appeals, internal reviews and regulatory decision‑making processes;


• Provide clear and authoritative legal advice on legislation, policy interpretation, legal risk and governance matters;


• Support the development of legislative reform proposals and provide strategic advice on the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks;


• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, legal partners, regulators, oversight bodies and industry stakeholders;


• Contribute as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, supporting organisational strategy, culture and business priorities;


• Drive initiatives that strengthen legal capability, regulatory integrity and stakeholder outcomes;


• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across legal services, systems and processes; and


• Ensure the organisation’s legal activities are undertaken with the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and accountability.

Required experience

We are seeking a senior legal leader with significant experience providing strategic advice and leadership within a complex, regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Admission as a lawyer/legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland and a current practising certificate;


• Minimum 10 years’ post‑admission legal experience;


• Significant experience in a senior legal leadership role providing complex legal advice, legal risk advice and strategic decision‑making support;


• Demonstrated experience working within a public sector, statutory authority, regulator, integrity body, law enforcement or similarly regulated environment;


• Experience across relevant legal disciplines including regulatory law, enforcement, investigations, litigation, advocacy, administrative law, statutory interpretation, policy or governance advice;


• Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives, boards, commissioners or equivalent decision‑makers on complex and sensitive matters;


• Demonstrated experience leading and developing legal teams, building capability and creating a positive workplace culture;


• Highly developed communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across government, industry and external partners;


• Strong analytical capability and sound judgement, with the ability to interpret legislation and provide practical advice in complex environments; and


• Demonstrated experience leading change, continuous improvement or capability‑building initiatives.

Highly regarded:

• Legal experience within the racing industry or another integrity‑focused regulatory environment;


• Experience in matters involving compliance, investigations, enforcement, licensing, tribunal processes, appeals or regulatory decision‑making;


• Understanding of Queensland’s regulatory framework or experience within a comparable statutory authority; and


• Experience partnering with senior government stakeholders and external oversight bodies.

Benefits

This is a unique opportunity to undertake a senior legal leadership role within a Queensland Government statutory authority with significant regulatory responsibilities.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Provide strategic legal leadership on matters of public and regulatory importance;


• Partner directly with executive leaders and decision‑makers on complex issues;


• Lead a specialist legal function and influence organisational capability and culture;


• Shape legal and governance outcomes within a highly regulated environment; and


• Apply your expertise across advisory, regulatory, governance and leadership responsibilities.

At u&u Recruitment Partners, we value diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability.

Should you require reasonable adjustments or have a preferred method of communication throughout the recruitment process, we encourage you to make a request via ***********@uandu.com or phone the above‑mentioned u&u consultant to discuss. In response to these requests, we will collaborate closely with you to implement the appropriate adjustments.