Senior Lawyer, Bus, Tram and Road

Department of Transport & Planning Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

Department of Transport & Planning Victoria seeks a legally qualified professional to deliver commercially focused advice on transport operations and major infrastructure projects. You will work within the Bus, Tram and Road Legal team, advising on franchise agreements and road contracts while managing risk and ensuring value-for-money outcomes.

You will draft and review documents, support strategic decisions and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet departmental objectives.

Qualifications

• Admission as a lawyer in Victoria (mandatory).
• Experience providing legal advice on commercial agreements, contracts and complex matters.
• Experience in private practice or in-house with exposure to infrastructure projects/PPP is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercially focused legal advice on transport operations and major infrastructure projects.
• Draft and review legal documents and support decision-making.
• Collaborate with legal, commercial and technical stakeholders and manage external advisors.
• Build stakeholder relationships to help achieve departmental objectives.

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Resilience

Team collaboration

Context awareness

Education

Law degree (LLB/JD) in Victoria

Job description

Department of Transport & Planning Victoria – Melbourne VIC

We create thriving places andconnectedcommunities. We plan,buildandmaintainVictoria's transport,planningand land services. We are committed to a safe,inclusiveand high-performing workplace.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace where our people can thrive and do meaningful work.

About the role

This is a Fixed Term, Part Time Position 0.6 FTE for up to 3 Years.

Reporting to the Managing Principal Lawyer, this role provides commercially focused legal advice on transport operations and major infrastructure projects that help shape Victoria. Working within the Bus, Tram and Road Legal team, you will advise on the Metropolitan Tram Franchise Agreement, bus services contracts and matters arising under the Road Management Act 2004 (Vic).

You will collaborate with legal, commercial and technical stakeholders to resolve complex issues, manage legal risks, oversee external legal advisors and deliver value-for-money outcomes. The role also involves drafting and reviewing legal documents, supporting strategic decision-making, and building strong stakeholder relationships to help achieve the Department's objectives.

Whatwe'relooking for

You'resomeone who:

• Uses strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyse complex issues, identify practical solutions and deliver positive business outcomes.
• Builds trusted relationships and influences stakeholders by adapting communication styles, managing objections and aligning outcomes with business needs.
• Remains calm and decisive under pressure, demonstrating resilience when managing challenging or high-profile matters.
• Works collaboratively across teams, fostering knowledge sharing and driving outcomes through strong partnerships.
• Understands organisational and political contexts, while remaining adaptable and open to new approaches that improve results and support strategic objectives.

Qualifications and experience

You’llbring:

• Admission as a lawyer in Victoria and eligibility to hold a Victorian practising certificate (mandatory).
• Experience providing legal advice on commercial agreements, contracts and complex legal matters.
• Experience in private practice or an in-house legal environment, with exposure to major infrastructure projects, public-private partnerships (PPPs) or similar commercial arrangements (desirable).

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

Relevant pre-employment screening and reference checks will berequired.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday, 4 December 2026.

Please include both your resume and a cover letteraddressing how your experience addresses each of the key selection criteria for the role. All applications must besubmittedvia the online portal,we'reunable to accept email or manual submissions.

For further information about the role, please contact Oscar Bear, Director Legal, Road and Transport Operations, at**********@transport.vic.gov.au.

Redeployees

If you are a VPS redeployee, please state this in your cover letter and include your case manager's contact details. This helps ensure your redeployment status is appropriately considered. For more information on redeployment, visit the Victorian Government policy

If you require any adjustments to fullyparticipatein the recruitment process or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us.We'rehere to support you.