Remote Senior Legal Counsel – Local Government

City of Stonnington; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $180K-$220K

Superannuation 12%

Job summary

The City of Stonnington seeks a trusted General Counsel to provide expert legal leadership across the organisation, advising the CEO and senior teams and overseeing external providers. This full-time, permanent role offers substantial scope to influence governance and risk management in a regulated local government setting.

Reporting to the Executive Manager Governance and Public Affairs, you will shape strategy, budgets and delivery of legal services, while building internal capability and

Qualifications

• Substantial post-admission experience at Senior Associate, Special Counsel or equivalent level.
• Experience advising across procurement, contracts, property, employment law and statutory interpretation.
• Strong expertise in administrative law and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing complex legal matters, disputes and litigation.
• Proven track record building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing decision making.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills for reports, briefs and executive presentations.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and developing legal professionals.
• Valid and current Victorian Working with Children’s Check.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, practical and risk-based legal advice to the CEO, Executive Team and managers across all service areas.
• Interpret and advise on relevant legislation, including the Local Government Act 2020 and broader regulatory frameworks.
• Support organisational compliance, governance and risk management objectives.
• Deliver clear, solutions-focused legal advice and recommended courses of action.
• Manage a broad range of legal matters, determining the most effective approach for delivery either internally or through external providers.
• Oversee Council's Legal Services Panel and monitor performance, quality and value for money.
• Manage legal budgets and external legal expenditure.
• Provide regular reporting and insights on legal services usage and expenditure.
• Drive opportunities to build internal capability and reduce reliance on external legal advice over time.
• Advise on contracts, procurement, commercial agreements and property matters.
• Oversee litigation, dispute resolution processes, VCAT proceedings and other legal actions involving Council.
• Provide expert advice on governance matters, including councillor conduct, conflicts of interest, delegations and statutory obligations.
• Support Council's compliance with privacy, freedom of information and public sector governance requirements.
• Identify emerging legal risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.

Skills

Legal leadership

Strategic advisory

Governance

Regulatory understanding

Stakeholder management

Drafting & negotiating

Job description

The City of Stonnington seeks a trusted General Counsel to provide expert legal leadership across the organisation, advising the CEO and senior teams and overseeing external providers. This full-time, permanent role offers substantial scope to influence governance and risk management in a regulated local government setting.

Reporting to the Executive Manager Governance and Public Affairs, you will shape strategy, budgets and delivery of legal services, while building internal capability and