Principal Solicitor

AMSA External; Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 155,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

15.4% employer superannuation

20 days annual leave

Paid parental leave 18 weeks

Flexible work including work from home

Career development

Job summary

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is seeking a Principal Solicitor to provide high-level, independent legal advice on complex legislative, procurement and commercial matters that support our national maritime regulator.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, you will lead on Commonwealth procurement and contracting, develop policies and guidance, and train staff across AMSA while building trusted relationships with executives and business areas.

Qualifications

• Seven years' post-admission experience, with extensive Commonwealth procurement and contracting.
• Australian citizenship and ability to obtain NV1 security clearance.
• Australian law degree and current practising certificate.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level, independent legal advice on complex legislative, operational, commercial, governance matters.
• Lead legal advice on Commonwealth procurement, contracting and commercial matters.
• Develop procurement frameworks, templates and guidance, undertaking complex legal research, and providing training.
• Build trusted relationships and support the Office of Legal Counsel, representing AMSA when required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Legal research

Education

Law degree (Australian)

Admission to practice (solicitor/barrister)

Practising certificate

Job description

Principal Solicitor

$154,955 - $179,636 + 15.4% super

Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney

Ongoing

• Work on complex, high-value Commonwealth procurement, contracting and commercial matters, providing expert legal advice that directly supports the operations of Australia’s national maritime regulator.
• Build your profile as a trusted senior legal adviser, working closely with executives, operational leaders, and business areas to shape practical, risk-based solutions.
• Enjoy genuine breadth and variety, spanning procurement and contracting, property transactions, governance, legislation and operational matters, with opportunities to influence better practice across AMSA

About AMSA - Work with Purpose

Safe Seas. Clean Seas. Saving Lives.

At Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), every role contributes to our mission to protect lives, support safe maritime operations, and safeguard Australia’s marine environment.

As Australia's national maritime regulator, we coordinate national maritime and aviation search and rescue services, protect Australia's marine environment, and support a safe and resilient maritime industry. Our work is made possible by the expertise of our people across corporate, specialist, digital and operational functions, working together to deliver services nationwide.

With around 500 employees across Australia, AMSA operates in a complex, highly regulated environment and offers meaningful careers with national reach and long-term impact. Learn more at amsa.gov.au.

About the Role

The Office of Legal Counsel supports AMSA’s mission by providing proactive, risk-based independent and effective legal support services to AMSA. These services assist AMSA in meeting its strategic goals and challenges.
Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Principal Solicitor is responsible for proactively providing broad legal services that assist AMSA ensure the operations of the organisation are conducted in compliance with relevant legislation and policy, whilst identifying and managing legal risk.
This role focusses on provision of expert legal advice and guidance with a focus on commercial matters, including Commonwealth procurement and contracting to deliver best practice outcomes for AMSA.

In this role you will:

• Provide high-level, independent legal advice on complex legislative, operational, commercial, corporate and governance matters, supporting sound decision-making and effective management of legal risk
• Lead legal advice on Commonwealth procurement, contracting and commercial matters, including procurement processes, whole-of-government arrangements, contract development, variations and extensions, and property transactions.
• Strengthen AMSA’s legal and commercial capability by developing procurement frameworks, policies, templates and guidance, undertaking complex legal research, and providing training and specialist support across the organisation.
• Build trusted relationships and contribute to the broader Office of Legal Counsel, including supporting colleagues, representing AMSA when required, and modelling the AMSA Values and AMSA Code of Conduct

What We're Looking For

You will bring:

• A law degree from an Australian tertiary institution (or a comparable overseas qualification), admission to practise as a barrister or solicitor in an Australian State or Territory, and a current practising certificate.
• At least seven years' post-admission experience, with extensive experience in Commonwealth procurement and contracting, especially in a statutory authority.
• A detailed understanding of the broad range of legal issues relevant to a national regulator operating in a complex legislative and policy environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Australian Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance.
• Behaviours aligned with One AMSA values and ways of working.

For further details, please refer to the position description. Information about our terms and conditions of employment are contained in the AMSA Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

What We Offer at AMSA

At AMSA, we support our people to do their best work through:

• Competitive remuneration and salary packaging options
• 15.4% employer superannuation contribution
• Generous leave entitlements with 20 days annual leave plus paid Christmas shutdown
• Paid parental leave with 18 weeks for primary and 14 weeks for secondary carer
• Wellbeing focus with health reimbursements, flu vaccinations and an Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
• Flexible work including work from home arrangements
• Career development including training, study assistance, paid professional memberships.
• Opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make a difference through AMSA’s staff-led networks

One AMSA: Shaping Our Future Together

One AMSA is our commitment to creating a workplace that is safe, respectful and inclusive - where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to contribute. It shapes how we work together and ensures collaboration, trust, and shared purpose across AMSA.

To be eligible for this role, you must be an Australian citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

AMSA does not engage staff under the Public Service Act 1999. AMSA engages employees under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 and our remuneration arrangements are specific to AMSA. AMSA merit lists can only be used within AMSA and not within the wider APS.