Senior Legal Counsel

The University of Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Generous paid leave including parental

Up to 17% employer paid superannuation

Salary packaging

Discounted health insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Up to 25% discount on UWA courses

Job summary

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is seeking a Senior Lawyer to join the Office of General Counsel. Provide high-quality legal advice across governance, contracts, IP, procurement, and risk management to support the University's strategic objectives.

You will draft and negotiate complex agreements, supervise external providers, and help improve templates and precedents while advising senior leaders and executives across faculties.

Qualifications

• Admitted as a legal practitioner in Western Australia with an unrestricted practising certificate.
• At least seven years’ post-admission experience.
• Experience providing legal advice in private practice and/or in-house environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to advise senior executives.
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, business-focused advice.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, pragmatic legal advice across governance, compliance, commercial contracts, research, IP, procurement, property and risk management.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on complex agreements relating to major projects, education initiatives, research collaborations, commercialisation activities, philanthropy, technology, infrastructure and property transactions.
• Partner with senior stakeholders, supervise external legal providers, and contribute to legal capability through training and templates.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Governance advice

Stakeholder management

Communication

Legal advisory

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Job description

About The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of Australia's leading universities and has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research.It has almost 24,000 students enrolled across four...

• Play a pivotal role in providing trusted legal advice that supports the strategic objectives of one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities.
• Join a collaborative and highly respected legal team advising senior leaders and decision-makers across the University.
• Full-time appointment on a fixed term basis for 9 months.
• Competitive salary package including 17% superannuation.

About the area

The Office of General Counsel plays a critical role within the Office of Vice-Chancellery, providing expert legal advice and strategic support across the University. The team advises on a broad range of legal matters including governance, compliance, contracts, intellectual property, research, commercialisation, procurement, property, risk management and regulatory obligations.

Working closely with the University Executive, senior leaders, schools and business units, the Office of General Counsel helps navigate complex legal issues, supports sound decision-making and enables the University to achieve its strategic objectives with confidence.

About the opportunity

• Provide high-quality, pragmatic legal advice across a diverse range of matters including governance, compliance, commercial contracts, research, intellectual property, procurement, property and risk management.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on complex agreements relating to major projects, strategic education initiatives, research collaborations, commercialisation activities, philanthropy, technology, infrastructure and property transactions.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across the University, supervise external legal providers when required, and contribute to legal capability through training, guidance and continuous improvement of legal templates and precedents.

About you

• Admitted as a legal practitioner in Western Australia with a current unrestricted practising certificate and at least seven years' post-admission experience.
• Significant experience providing legal advice in a private practice and/or in-house legal environment, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience advising senior executives and diverse stakeholder groups within large and complex organisations.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, business-focused advice.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound professional judgement and independently handle complex legal matters to tight deadlines.

Note: As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to complete declarations in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. A current National Police Clearance will be required by the successful applicant. Current unrestricted practicing certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA).

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 25 October 2026

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia

Please note: Unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted outside of formal channels.

• Flexible working options.
• Generous paid leave including parental leave.
• Up to 17% employer paid superannuation.
• Salary packaging available.
• Incremental progression based on 12 months continuous service.
• Up to 25% discount on eligible UWA full-fee courses.
• Discounted health insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.