Senior Legal Counsel - People & Conduct

University of New South Wales; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

University of New South Wales seeks a senior legal counsel with extensive disputes management experience. The role reports to the Head of People & Conduct Law and provides strategic guidance to senior management on employment, administrative and discrimination matters.

This leadership position heads a high‑performing team within the legal function, collaborating with People & Culture and Conduct & Integrity, and supporting policy development, investigations and high‑stakes litigation.

Qualifications

• 10 years+ PQE in employment, administrative or discrimination law.
• Experience advising senior management on complex legal issues.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage disputes and investigations.
• Strong commercial acumen and influencing skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic legal advice on a range of employment, administrative law, discrimination law, student complaints
• Providing expert strategic advice, with a focus on disputes management
• Assisting in developing policies and procedures in line with legislative requirements
• Monitoring and identifying emerging employment and workplace issues and developments
• Working closely with and advising the People & Culture and Conduct & Integrity teams in managing and resolving workplace and student complaints and investigations
• Acting as the central legal escalation point for the most complex, sensitive and high-risk employment, administrative law and discrimination law disputes
• Leading the preparation of evidence, submissions and affidavits for Court, Tribunal and Commission proceedings
• Contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team environment

Skills

Strategic advice

Leadership

Disputes management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Job description

At UNSW, we take pride in the broad range and high quality of our teaching programs. Our teaching gains strength and currency from our research activities, strong industry links and our international nature; UNSW has strong regional and...

• Remuneration: Senior Competitive Total Package
• Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid Working)

UNSW is seeking a senior legal counsel with extensive experience in the management of disputes. The role will report into the Head of People & Conduct Law and involve working closely with senior management and stakeholders across the business. This is a leadership role within an established team which supports the organisation across employment, workplace relations, defamation litigation, discrimination litigation, conduct and integrity, and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing strategic legal advice on a range of employment, administrative law, discrimination law, student complaints
• Providing expert strategic advice, with a focus on disputes management
• Assisting in developing policies and procedures in line with legislative requirements
• Monitoring and identifying emerging employment and workplace issues and developments
• Working closely with and advising the People & Culture and Conduct & Integrity teams team with managing and resolving workplace and student complaints and investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
• Acting as the central legal escalation point for the most complex, sensitive and high-risk employment, administrative law, discrimination law and student conduct disputes
• Leading the preparation of evidence, submissions and affidavits for Court, Tribunal and Commission proceedings

Contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team environment

• 10 years + PQE
• Previous employment, discrimination, administrative or litigation experience gained from a renowned law firm or In-House organisation
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice and counsel in relation to complex legal issues in the areas of employee relations, industrial relations, WHS and anti-discrimination laws.
• Proven experience in advising across a broad range of employment, administrative law or discrimination law-related areas,
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to prioritise multiple matters and stakeholders
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills
• A positive attitude and someone who enjoys working as part of a team as well as autonomously.

Pre-Employment Checks: As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undertake pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.