Job Description

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer this role calls for a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who works across Council, leveraging a multidisciplinary approach to solve complex issues and deliver the best possible outcomes.

Work type: Permanent, full-time.

Classification: SPL, $148,599 + super.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide subject matter or expert advice to the Directorate, ELT and other leaders across the organisation.
• Provide specialist legal expertise as a trusted advisor to the organisation, operating as a subject matter expert in one or more areas of law, with a focus general commercial legal practice.
• Responsible for leading the delivery of solutions focussed independent legal advice and strategy relating to general commercial legal practice.
• Manage and balance the needs of key stakeholders to ensure department priorities are met and the services provided to customers by the team meet customer expectations.
• Advise on legal risk and compliance requirements, including those in novel areas of law and those requiring innovative and creative solutions.
• Brief external legal advisors, including specialist firms and Counsel, manage interactions between the external advisors and the organisation and monitor and manage legal budgets.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will be admitted, or eligible to be admitted, as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria or similar jurisdiction and currently hold a valid Practicing Certificate.

Essential Experience:

• Substantial legal experience across a broad range of legal practice areas, with significant experience in corporate and general commercial legal practice, including employment law and industrial relations.
• Advanced skills in the preparation of documentation and provision of advice in relation to commercial contracts including procurement methodologies, contract preparation, contract administration, dispute resolution, and information technology projects would be viewed favorably.
• Demonstrated people management skills to support, influence and foster a productive team culture. Proven track of leading teams through change ensuring strong stakeholder engagement throughout the process.
• Established skills in business planning and management, budget development, financial and resource management, and complex reporting in accordance with strategic goals and KPIs.

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and a Working with Children’s Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now!

Child Safety Responsibilities 

We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our  Child Safe Standards Management Policy 

Diversity and Inclusion 

At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City

From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the link to view more information about this position.

Applications close: 11:55pm Sunday 19th April 2026

Enquiries: Vesna Allan | Chief Legal Officer | VAllan@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.

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