Principal Government Lawyer (EL2)

Australian Government Department of Education; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Government Department of Education's Legal Division seeks a Principal Government Lawyer to lead a legal team delivering high-quality services on complex matters. You will exercise professional judgement, provide strategic advice and help steer the division’s leadership and culture.

The role offers opportunities across high-profile policy, legislative and regulatory issues, with flexible arrangements and an attractive remuneration package aligned with departmental policies.

Qualifications

• Experienced lawyer with a track record in complex environments.
• Ability to lead teams and deliver high-quality legal services.
• Strong judgement and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a legal team to deliver timely, accurate legal advice.
• Provide strategic guidance on policy, legislation, and regulatory issues.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to leadership and capability development within the division.
• Support the department's strategic priorities and major reforms.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic legal advice

Stakeholder engagement

Judgement & problem-solving

Education

Admission as a legal practitioner

Eligible for restricted Government practising certificate

Job description

The Department of Education’s Legal Division provides strategic legal advice and services across the department. Our lawyers work on some of Australia's most significant education policies, programs and reforms, partnering with clients across government to navigate complex legal issues and achieve practical outcomes. The Division comprises specialist teams covering commercial law, corporate and information law, early childhood, higher education, schools, litigation and legislative matters.

About the role

As a Principal Government Lawyer, you will lead and manage a legal team delivering high-quality legal services on complex and high-profile matters. You will exercise a high degree of professional judgement, provide strategic advice and contribute to the leadership of the Legal Division.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing a legal team to deliver timely, accurate and risk-based legal advice.
• Providing strategic legal guidance on complex policy, legislative, commercial or regulatory issues.
• Building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to the leadership, capability development and culture of the Legal Division.
• Supporting the department's strategic priorities and major reform initiatives.

As a Special Counsel, you will be a senior Principal Government Lawyer working flexibly across the Division. You will support legislative development and the management of complex or significant legal issues, exercising a high degree of autonomy.

The legal practice operates as an integrated and flexible workforce. You are invited to express interest in leading one or more of our legal teams, or undertaking the Special Counsel role. Successful candidates will be placed having regard to their experience, preferences and strengths, as well as the operational needs of the department.

An attractive remuneration package is available, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience, and consistent with departmental policies.

About you

We are seeking an experienced lawyer with:

• Extensive experience delivering high-quality legal services in complex environments.
• Strong leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Admission as an Australian legal practitioner and eligibility to hold a restricted Government practising certificate.

Applications from fulltime and part-time candidates will be considered.