Senior Lawyer, Content (Legal)

ABC Careers; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is seeking a Senior Lawyer, Content (Legal) to join its in-house Legal team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will provide specialist legal advice across content acquisition, production, licensing and distribution with independence and collaboration across stakeholders.

Key focus areas include drafting and negotiation of complex agreements, copyright/IP matters, and contributing to policy development and strategic projects within the team.

Qualifications

• Must have strong expertise in content, media or entertainment law.
• Ability to draft and negotiate complex agreements.
• Experience advising on copyright and IP matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal advice across ABC operations, focusing on content acquisition, production, licensing and distribution.
• Draft and negotiate complex agreements; advise on copyright and intellectual property matters.
• Support development of legal policies and practices; share expertise across the team.

Skills

Content & Media Law

Contract Negotiation

Stakeholder Management

Legal Drafting

IP & Copyright

Communication Skills

Education

Admission as a legal practitioner in Australia

Job description

• Location: Ultimo, Sydney / Hybrid


• Full time | 12-month fixed-term contract


• Collaborate with creative and commercial teams across the ABC

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Lawyer, Content Legal to join the ABC's highly regarded in-house Legal team on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

Reporting to the Head of Content Legal, you'll provide specialist legal advice across the ABC's operations, with a particular focus on content acquisition, production, licensing and distribution.

Working with a high degree of autonomy, you'll draft and negotiate complex agreements, advise on copyright and intellectual property matters, and provide practical legal solutions to stakeholders across the organisation. You'll also contribute to significant projects, support the development of legal policies and practices, and share your expertise with colleagues across the team.

About You

You'll be an experienced lawyer with strong expertise in content, media or entertainment law, and the confidence to manage complex legal matters independently while working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. You will understand the impact of artificial intelligence on the content life cycle.

You'll bring:

• Admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, with substantial relevant experience.


• Extensive experience in drafting and negotiating content production, acquisition, licensing and distribution agreements.


• Strong knowledge of copyright, other intellectual property, commercial and contract law, particularly relating to audio, audiovisual and digital content.


• Excellent analytical, drafting and negotiation skills, with sound judgement and a practical approach to resolving complex legal issues.


• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes.

You'll be proactive, collaborative and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.

Position Description: 30004140 SENIOR LAWYER CONTENT (LEGAL) BACKFILL.pdf

About the ABC

The ABC is the nation's most trusted and independent source of Australian conversations, culture, and stories. With over 4,500 employees from diverse backgrounds across over 60 locations around Australia and overseas, we are proud to create, curate and deliver high-quality content that informs, educates and entertains Australian communities.

More info

In line with our focus on diversity and inclusion, applications are strongly encouraged from Indigenous Australians, people from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The ABC also aims to achieve a gender-balanced workforce.

To request recruitment and selection information in alternate formats, request adjustments, or if you have accessibility requirements please contact [e-mail].

If you want to know more, please contact Caroline Diek, Recruitment Specialist – Enabling Divisions via [e-mail].

Applications Close: 11:55pm, 15 November 2026