Senior Legal Counsel

Melbourne Health; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Salary packaging up to $12,000 tax‑fee

Monthly accrued day off

Onsite parking options

Staff health services

Job summary

Melbourne Health is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to provide practical, specialist legal advice supporting clinical and commercial operations at RMH.

You will work with managers, Executives and stakeholders, advising on contracts, regulatory compliance, and policy development. Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, you’ll identify legal risks and mentor junior team members.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ post-graduate experience in a mid-to-top-tier firm or in-house legal team.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial and corporate contracts.
• Strong legal research, statutory interpretation and strategic advisory skills.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts (procurement, IT, property).
• Provide practical legal advice on compliance, governance, privacy, regulatory and medico-legal matters.
• Identify and manage legal risks, escalating sensitive or complex issues.
• Monitor legislative changes and advise Executives on implications.
• Collaborate across RMH and with external legal providers to deliver timely advice.
• Review policies, deliver legal education and mentor junior staff.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and maintain a safe, inclusive workplace.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Legal risk management

Legal research

Regulatory advisory

Education

AU law degree

Barrister & Solicitor VIC

Practising Certificate

Job description

• Provide strategic legal advice supporting complex clinical and commercial operations across the RMH.
• Salary packaging | Monthly ADO’s | 5 weeks annual leave

About the role

Join the RMH as a Senior Legal Counsel, providing practical, specialist legal advice to support the hospital’s clinical and commercial operations.

Working closely with managers, Executives and stakeholders across the organisation, you’ll advise on contracts, legislative and regulatory compliance, and the development of policies and procedures. Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, you’ll also help identify and manage legal risks, deliver legal education and support the development of Legal Counsel and paralegal team members.

What you’ll do

• Review, draft and negotiate commercial contracts, including procurement, construction, IT/software, funding and property agreements.
• Provide practical legal advice on compliance, governance, privacy, research, commercial, regulatory and medico-legal matters.
• Identify and manage legal risks, escalating sensitive or complex issues where required.
• Monitor legislative changes and advise Executives and stakeholders on their implications.
• Work collaboratively across the RMH and with external legal providers to deliver timely, clear and solutions-focused advice.
• Review policies and procedures, deliver legal education and mentor junior legal team members.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, maintain professional knowledge and support a safe, inclusive and psychologically safe workplace.

About You

You’re an experienced legal professional who combines strong commercial expertise with sound judgement and a practical, solutions-focused approach. You’re confident navigating complex legal matters, negotiating contracts and providing strategic advice in a complex environment. You build trusted relationships with stakeholders, communicate clearly and work collaboratively to find effective solutions.

What you’ll bring

• A law degree from an accredited Australian law school, admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and an unrestricted Practising Certificate.
• At least 8 years’ post-graduate experience in a mid-to-top-tier law firm or in-house legal team.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial and corporate contracts.
• Strong legal research, statutory interpretation and strategic advisory skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Desirable: Public healthcare or research sector experience, with knowledge of Victorian health legislation and regulatory requirements.

Benefits of Working at RMH

• Meaningful Work
  Make a real difference in the lives of patients, families and our community.
• Career Growth
  Access learning, development, and diverse career opportunities.
• Supportive Culture & Belonging
  Join in a diverse and values-led organisation built on kindness, collaboration and inclusion.
• Innovation
  Help shape the future of healthcare through research, technology and new models of care.
• World-Class Excellence
  Work alongside leading healthcare professionals at one of Australia’s premier public hospitals, within the Parkville Precinct—one of the world’s leading biomedical and research precincts.
• Enjoy great employee benefits
  Salary packaging of up to $12,000 tax free and generous leave entitlements, including additional annual leave and a monthly accrued day off for eligible full-time staff (role/EBA dependent).
• Work in the Parkville Precinct
  Work in the Parkville precinct with excellent public transport, onsite parking options and access to staff health services.

Interviews may commence as applications are received. Early applications are encouraged as the role may close once filled.