DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL

Personnel Area: City Administration and Governance

Branch: City Legal

Duration:  Contract – 4 years

Brisbane City Council is seeking an experienced legal executive to step into the role of Deputy General Counsel. This is a senior appointment within one of Australia’s most significant in-house legal teams, with responsibility for providing strategic legal support to the General Counsel, elected officials, CEO and Council’s executive leadership.

About the role

As Deputy General Counsel, you will:

• provide senior-level legal and strategic advice on high-value and high-risk matters across Council’s diverse operations
• support the General Counsel in leading City Legal and its legal service delivery to the business
• manage and develop a high-performing legal team (4 direct reports)
• play a key leadership role across major Council priorities, including legal matters relating to the 2032 Olympic Games.

This role sits within the City Administration and Governance Division, reporting directly to the General Counsel, and forms part of Council’s Executive Service.

What we’re looking for

We are seeking a confident and commercially minded legal executive who can operate at the most senior levels of local government. You will bring:

• extensive legal experience in a senior in-house, government, or private practice setting
• strong understanding of the legislative and governance frameworks relevant to local government (or ability to quickly step into this)
• proven leadership capabilities and experience in guiding teams through change and continuous improvement
• high-level communication and negotiation skills with senior stakeholders and elected officials
• admission as a solicitor in Queensland and eligibility to hold a current practising certificate.

 Why join Brisbane City Council?

This is a rare opportunity to join the largest local government in Australia, working on city-shaping legal issues and contributing to the future of Brisbane. Council offers:

• an influential legal leadership role
• strategic involvement in major infrastructure and governance projects
• an opportunity to drive legal reform and innovation within a high-performing team.

 To apply

Submit your CV via SEEK or for further information on this role, please contact Katie Francis on (07) 3041 4029 or email to Katie@fjer.com.au

FrancisJames Executive Recruitment is the legal recruitment specialist - we recruit lawyers across all levels from junior lawyer up to Partner level and General Counsel in Brisbane, interstate and internationally.

At FrancisJames Executive Recruitment our purpose is to truly partner with you to achieve the right long-term fit. You can rely on us to provide a confidential, specialised and personable service. 

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