Head of Legal / General Counsel

At Sydney Water, we are committed to delivering world-class infrastructure and services for our customers, communities, and environment. Our vision drives us to be innovative, customer-centric, and forward-thinking, ensuring Sydney remains one of the most liveable cities in the world. We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Legal/ General Counsel to lead, transform, and future-proof our in-house legal, insurance, claims, and compliance team as we navigate a period of significant sector transformation. 

About the Role 

As the Head of Legal/ General Counsel, you will provide strategic, enterprise-wide leadership—focusing on people, process, and performance rather than technical legal work. Reporting to the Executive General Manager, People and Governance, you will lead a highly capable team of legal, insurance, claims, and compliance professionals, overseeing a $10M budget and supporting Sydney Water’s $30 billion asset base. 

This is a critical leadership opportunity for a proven manager with a track record of leading large, high-performing teams in-house. You will be responsible for shaping best-in-class processes, championing transformation and challenging the status quo to ensure Sydney Water’s legal and compliance function is future-ready. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Leadership & Transformation: Lead, inspire, and empower a team of up to 28 professionals, including five direct reports, to deliver best-practice legal, insurance, claims, and compliance services. Drive a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. 
• Strategic Direction: Shape and execute the legal and compliance strategy, aligning with Sydney Water’s vision and corporate plan. Lead the transformation of processes and ways of working, leveraging digital tools to enhance efficiency and risk management. 
• Governance & Compliance: Oversee the development, implementation, and review of compliance frameworks, programs, and reporting. Ensure Sydney Water meets all regulatory, legislative, and operating licence obligations. 
• Board & Executive Partnering: Provide high-level, commercial, and pragmatic advice to the Board, Executive, and business units. Prepare and present reports and insights on legal, compliance and claims matters. 
• Business Partnering: Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders—including regulators, insurers, and government agencies—to advance Sydney Water’s interests and support strategic decision-making. 
• Risk & Claims Management: Oversee the insurance portfolio, claims management, and risk mitigation strategies, proactively reducing legal liability and supporting early intervention. 
• Change Leadership: Champion the adoption of digital, and data-driven solutions to transform the function and set new standards for in-house legal and compliance teams. 

About You 

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring: 

• Proven Management Experience: At least 10 years’ experience leading large, multi-disciplinary in-house teams. You are a people leader first, with a strong track record of managing, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams in complex environments. 
• In-House Focus: Significant in-house career experience (industry background open), with a passion for building best-in-class legal and compliance processes and procedures. 
• Transformational Mindset: Demonstrated ability to drive change, challenge current practices, and implement innovative solutions to deliver future-ready outcomes. 
• Strategic Acumen: Ability to see the big picture, balance competing priorities, and provide independent, commercial, and pragmatic advice to senior leaders. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with Boardroom presence and the ability to influence at all levels. 
• Qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in Law, admitted as an Australian lawyer with a current unrestricted practising certificate. 

Make a Lasting Impact 

If you are a forward-thinking leader, ready to take a successful team and make it even better —and you are passionate about leveraging technology, best practice, and people leadership to deliver outstanding results—apply now and help shape the future of Sydney Water. 

Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check and medical assessment.  

You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role. 

Dive into Our Great Benefits:  

Competitive Remuneration: We’ll ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately.  

Hybrid Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work model that balances remote work and office collaboration, supporting our team's productivity and well-being.  

Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success.  

24/7 Wellbeing Support: Access for you and your family to free and confidential mental health and general health support through our EAP portal.  

Discounted Private Health Insurance: Unlock affordable access to top-tier health coverage with our discounted insurance plans.  

Family First: Prioritise your family with up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a childcare allowance.  

Fitness Passport: Achieve your physical fitness goals using our Fitness Passport, granting you access to a multitude of gyms and pools across NSW.  

Novated Leasing: Get in the driver's seat of your financial future with our novated lease options.  

Closing Date: Friday 11th July at 11:59pm AEST 

Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process.  

For any further information please contact hayley.williams@sydneywater.com.au  

Working at Sydney Water 

At Sydney Water, we are passionate about making a difference to the lives of our customers and communities. We have a proud heritage and progressive future providing world class drinking water and services that are vital to our customers’ quality of life and safeguarding Sydney’s future. We see the world is changing, so we are changing too.   

Our vision is to create better lives through world-class services, and we believe that starts with our people. Our people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities we serve. Our diverse skills, mindsets and backgrounds work together on exciting and challenging projects that make a difference and help ensure Sydney remains one of the most iconic and liveable cities in the world. 

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.  

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. We will also use your personal information to establish a LiveHire talent profile in our Talent Community.  

We look at our Talent Community first when new opportunities come up when you apply for a role. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with LiveHire’s Terms, Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement – Job Application 

Please see the job profile for the role’s full accountabilities.