Principal Legal Counsel

Agrifutures; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Agrifutures in Sydney or Newcastle is seeking a commercially minded Legal Counsel to join our legal team, reporting directly to the General Counsel & Company Secretary. This broad in-house role offers exposure across commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, governance, risk management and strategic business advisory work.

Partnering closely with operational and executive stakeholders, you will help the business navigate complex legal matters while delivering practical, outcomes-focused

Qualifications

• Law degree with unrestricted practising credentials.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Legal Counsel or comparable commercial legal role.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and contract management experience.
• Excellent analytical, research and problem-solving capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Ability to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities.
• High levels of accuracy, judgement and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Advising on a broad range of commercial, contractual and regulatory matters.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating customer, supplier and operational agreements.
• Supporting major contract execution and commercial transactions.
• Managing legal risk and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Providing practical legal advice to operational and executive leadership teams.
• Assisting with Board and governance matters, including agendas, papers and minutes.
• Managing external legal counsel where required.
• Maintaining and reviewing corporate policies and procedures.
• Supporting dispute resolution, investigations and legal proceedings as required.

Skills

Law degree

Practising credentials

5+ years experience

Drafting & negotiation

Contract management

Education

Bachelor of Law (LLB)

Legal practising certificate

Job description

Sydney or Newcastle | 5+ Years PQE| 3 days per week

Our client is seeking a commercially minded Legal Counsel to join their legal team, reporting directly to the General Counsel & Company Secretary. This is a broad in-house role offering exposure across commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, governance, risk management and strategic business advisory work.

Partnering closely with operational and executive stakeholders, you will play a critical role in helping the business navigate complex legal and commercial matters while supporting growth and delivering practical, outcomes-focused advice.

About the role

You will have the chance to work across a diverse range of legal matters, supporting key commercial and operational activities. You will be a trusted advisor to the business, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives while contributing to strong governance and compliance outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising on a broad range of commercial, contractual and regulatory matters
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating customer, supplier and operational agreements
• Supporting major contract execution and commercial transactions
• Managing legal risk and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations
• Providing practical legal advice to operational and executive leadership teams
• Assisting with Board and governance matters, including agendas, papers and minutes
• Managing external legal counsel where required
• Maintaining and reviewing corporate policies and procedures
• Supporting dispute resolution, investigations and legal proceedings as required

About You

You are a pragmatic and commercially astute lawyer who enjoys partnering with stakeholders and finding practical solutions to complex challenges.

You will bring:

• A Law Degree and unrestricted practising credentials
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Legal Counsel or comparable commercial legal role
• Strong drafting, negotiation and contract management experience
• Excellent analytical, research and problem-solving capabilities
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• The ability to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities
• High levels of accuracy, judgement and confidentiality

Experience within transport, infrastructure, rail, logistics, mining or other highly regulated industries will be viewed favourably.

Why apply?

• Broad and varied in-house legal remit
• Direct exposure to senior executives and Board-level matters
• Opportunity to influence commercial and operational decision‑making
• Collaborative and supportive leadership team
• Sydney or Newcastle location options
• High-profile organisation operating in a complex and dynamic environment