Principal Legal Officer

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure NSW; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 156,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Flex days (18)

Fitness Passport

Challenging and rewarding work

Collaborative team culture

Job summary

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure NSW in Parramatta is seeking a senior Principal Legal Officer with at least 7 years PQE, specializing in land acquisition by public authorities. You will provide strategic legal advice and lead negotiations with agencies, developers and landowners to advance housing enablement initiatives.

Reporting to the Director, you will mentor junior staff, contribute to a high-performing team, and support flexible working arrangements across the NSW office

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of PQE in a senior legal role.
• Expertise in Land Acquisition (Just Terms) Compensation Act 1991.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, client-focused legal advice and services in relation to land acquisitions for acquiring authorities.
• Lead Departmental negotiations with agencies, developers, landowners and their legal representatives.
• Support the Director to drive team vision, mentoring junior staff and fostering an inclusive, responsive environment.
• Assist with housing enablement programs and property development initiatives.

Skills

Litigation law

Property law

Planning law

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Solicitor/Barrister admission NSW

Job description

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure NSW – Parramatta NSW

Shape our world. Influence the decisions that shape NSW.

• Temporary (Up to 30 Jun 2031) full-time opportunity,
• NSW Office location with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $155,764 to $181,393 + super

In this role you will

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Our in‑house legal team is currently seeking a senior level lawyer (minimum 7 years PQE) with expertise in the acquisition of land by public authorities who is eager to apply and enhance their expertise and experience whilst working on some of the most complex and interesting matters in NSW.

You will also have strong property law experience dealing with developers in order to provide strategic legal advice and support for the NSW Government’s Housing Enablement Program (formerly the Pre Sales Finance Guarantee Program).

As a Principal Legal Officer, you will provide strategic, client focused legal advice and services in relation to the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 to acquiring authorities within the Department, and work on matters involving hardship applications, acquisitions by agreement and compulsory process, and disputes with landowners in relation to the acquisition of land.

As an experienced professional, you will also support the Director to drive the vision and direction of the team by motivating, mentoring and supervising junior members to deliver on initiatives and goals whilst striving to create an inclusive, responsive and effective environment. You will be joining a high performing, collaborative team offering diversity of work and a great team culture.

Read the role description for more detail:

Principal Legal Officer

We can offer you:

• flexible working arrangements – both in hours and location;
• training and support in honing your management skills;
• up to 18 flex days each year in addition to the 20 annual leave days;
• access to a Fitness Passport (https://www.fitnesspassport.com.au/);
• complex, rewarding and engaging work;
• collegial environment which supports work life balance.

About You

To be successful in the role you will:

• Have a strong litigation, property or planning law background and be very experienced with advising on the Land Acquisition (Just Terms) Compensation Act.
• Provide strategic and client focused legal services for compulsory acquisitions.
• Have a strong property law or property development law background to help lead the Housing Enablement Programs (i.e Pre‑Sales Finance Guarantee Program and other housing initiatives).
• Experience in loan documentation/banking and finance law will be viewed favourably but is not required.
• Lead Departmental negotiations with other agencies, developers, landowners and their legal representatives to achieve positive client and Department outcomes.
• Mitigate legal, commercial and practical risks by understanding risk profiles, risk appetite and implementing this into legal documentation.
• You will also have demonstrated expertise and experience in providing comprehensive legal advice and support. You will have excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills, strong attention to detail and stakeholder management skills to confidently engage with and build strategic relationships with key stakeholders.

What you will bring to the role

Prior expertise and experience in advisory and transactional work in relation to property law or property development law and the acquisition of land by public authorities.

In addition, you will:

• Have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to prepare and deliver clear, authoritative, and practical advice.
• Have proven negotiation skills and abilities to navigate complex challenges and adapt to evolving situations.
• Display solid time management and organisational skills to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines efficiently.
• Have resilience to persevere through obstacles and maintain productivity during challenging times.
• Be capable of driving outcomes while effectively involving stakeholders throughout the process, fostering collaboration and buy‑in.
• Be autonomous and proficient in working independently, taking initiative, and making decisions.
• Actively contribute to a highly collegiate and supportive team culture.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional to join a dedicated and highly regarded team and be a key contributor in supporting client groups in the delivery of outcomes for the people of NSW.

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, a NSW Practising Certificate.

About us

At the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure(DPHI), you could shape your world while helping us shape the future of NSW. Together, we create vibrant communities, places and precincts, and manage land, assets and property.

Join our team and shape your world in a workplace that empowers you to do your best work and build a meaningful career. In this role, you’ll help shape lives and communities across NSW while growing your own career, supported by flexible work options, impactful projects and a collaborative, diverse team. As a high‑performing and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, we value your lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we are committed to helping you thrive through flexible arrangements, workplace adjustments and a culture where everyone feels supported, connected and belongs.

Applications close: Thursday 12 Nov 2026 at 11:55pm

For more information about the role, please contact Amanda Alassad‑Bruun at *************@dphi.nsw.gov.au

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via ***************@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637*** - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and reference number'.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.This role is subject to standard pre‑employment checks, including a criminal record check.