Senior Legal Counsel

At the University of Newcastle, we’re seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join our Legal and Compliance team. This is an opportunity to undertake diverse and interesting legal work in a values-driven institution - while benefiting from a supportive and flexible workplace culture.

Our Legal Counsel team is trusted to provide legal advice across a broad range of matters. As part of a 20+ strong in-house team, you’ll work with executive, academic, and professional staff, gaining insight into university operations and playing a key role in helping the University meet its strategic and legal obligations.

The team is collaborative, experienced, and down-to-earth - and they genuinely enjoy working together.

About the role

You’ll manage a portfolio of complex legal matters, providing expert legal advice to stakeholders across the University.  Focus areas will include:

• Commercial law, including: Property, Construction, Contracts, IT
• Administrative law
• Complaints and whistleblower matters

In this senior role, you’ll also work closely with the General Counsel on strategic initiatives and play an active role in mentoring and supporting junior team members.

This position is based at our Callaghan campus (Awabakal land), with hybrid work flexibility (up to 40% work-from-home).

What we offer

• Salary: $145,745 plus 17% superannuation 
• 35-hour work week
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Additional University holidays, generous personal and parental leave entitlements, annual leave loading and a purchased leave scheme
• Staff discounts (private health insurance, gym, travel, software, and more)

View our benefits at a glance for more details. 

About You

You will bring:

• A law degree and a current NSW practising certificate (or eligibility to obtain one).
• Minimum 5 years PQE, ideally with in-house exposure.
• Outstanding drafting, negotiation, and advisory skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative mindset and leadership capability.

Note, you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

A full list of essential criteria can be viewed in the position description on our Careers website.

Our University

For more than 60 years, the University of Newcastle has delivered world-class education and research. Ranked in the top 1% of universities globally, and top 40 worldwide for impact, we enrol over 37,000 students across campuses in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney, and Singapore.

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas. We extend that respect to the homelands of our students and staff. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present. We are fully committed to building on our strengths in Indigenous higher education and providing a supportive space for our Indigenous students, staff and communities.

We strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to us on the details below.

Application Process

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can review the full Position Description and submit your application.

Your application should include:

1. Your CV (max. 5 pages)
2. A Cover Letter and Statement (uploaded as a single PDF):
3. Cover Letter (max. 1 page) outlining your interest in the role.
4. Statement (max. 4 pages) addressing the Essential Criteria, as listed in the position description.

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Sunday 22^nd June 2025.

Contact Us

Position Enquiries: For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact: Daniel Bell – General Counsel. daniel.bell@newcastle.edu.au, (02) 4985 4082.

 For technical support or alternative submission pathways, please contact: Jenny Newell, Talent Acquisition Specialist. jenny.newell1@newcastle.edu.au or +61 2 4055 0612   

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