EL2 - Director - General Commercial and Property Lawyer
EL2 - Director - General Commercial and Property Lawyer
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Job Description
EL2 - Director - General Commercial and Property Lawyer
Title:
EL2 - Director - General Commercial and Property Lawyer
Classification(s):
Executive Level 2
Employment Type:
Ongoing Full Time
Salary:
$144716- $173095per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
Business Division:
Legal Legn Liaison & Privacy
Branch / Section:
Commercial Commercial Law Team
Location:
Canberra Brisbane Melbourne Sydney
We want to recruit the best people to our department and support flexible work arrangements including the opportunity to work remotely from one of our many offices in Canberra Melbourne Sydney or Brisbane or hybrid working (mix of home-based work and in-office work).
Security Clearance:
Baseline Vetting
Job Reference No:
46818
Contact Officer:
Closing Date:
11.59pm AEST Sunday 29 June 2025.
The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples people with disability people with cultural and linguistic diversity and LGBTQIA people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and in particular supporting womens progression into senior leadership.
The opportunity we have available
The Legal Legislation Liaison & Privacy Division is seeking a (EL2 level) senior dynamic and talented lawyer with substantial legal practice experience advising on general commercial and real property/leasing matters strong technical legal skills and sound professional judgement to join the divisions leadership team.
Reporting to the SES General Counsel Commercial & Privacy this role will lead a high performing team of lawyers providing and managing practical strategic and solutions-focused advice regarding a diverse portfolio of general commercial and property matters. This is an opportunity to advance your career and leadership experience in the Australian Public Service working with high profile stakeholders.
The Commercial Law team which includes a property function provides a broad range of legal services to the department (including to support the delivery of major projects such as Western Sydney Airport and Moorebank Intermodal Terminal). As one of our team leaders you will be responsible for providing general commercial and real property advice on a broad range of matters relating to:
- major projects including air road and rail;
- regional development initiatives;
- support for the administration of offshore non-self-governing Australian territories;
- broader corporate and procurement services for the department;
- communication services; and
- surface transport matters including aviation maritime and road transport.
You will support the SES legal team in building and nurturing collaborative client relationships as a trusted legal adviser and you will mentor supervise and develop other lawyers. You will be a valued member of a high performing legal services function and your work will have real impact on the wellbeing of every Australian and the prosperity of the nation.
We may establish a merit pool for future vacancies.
What will you do
Operating under broad direction and with a high degree of autonomy your key responsibilities as a member of the divisions leadership team will include:
- leading and building the departments general commercial and property legal functions;
- overseeing and providing proactive strategic and solutions-focused advice on complex commercial and property transactions (including a range of procurements grants contracts and agreements intellectual property leases licences covenants and acquisition and disposal arrangements) to enable the department to effectively assess legal risks and make sound decisions;
- supervising and developing junior lawyers as well as second counselling the advice they prepare;
- fostering productive and collaborative working relationships with clients and colleagues across the department;
- continually monitoring and managing the teams competing work requirements having regard to the departments broader strategic priorities;
- developing and maintaining the departments commercial law and real property related precedents;
- overseeing the efficient and value for money delivery of legal services to the department by external providers in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and other requirements;
- contributing to building skills and capacity at the divisional and organisational level including by delivering training to the department on general commercial and property legal issues from time to time;
- representing the department at inter-agency and other external forums;
- actively contributing to the divisions positive work environment and culture; and
- seeking input and guidance from and keeping the General Counsel Commercial and Privacy and Chief Counsel informed as appropriate.
We actively support flexible work arrangements including home-based work for 2 days a week upon discussion with the General Counsel Commercial & Privacy.
Who are we looking for
The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 2 Work level standards.
Essential
Our ideal candidate will have:
- Both general commercial and real property legal practice experience (with significant depth and breadth in at least one of these areas) and highly developed legal skills gained in a law firm in-house environment or government and commercial acumen including;
- experience in advising on drafting reviewing and/or negotiating a range of commercial law and property arrangements;
- strong problem-solving skills and the ability to provide timely strategic and technically excellent legal advice that enables the department to assess risk and make sound decisions about general commercial and property related matters.
- demonstrated initiative and the ability to proactively drive outcomes to lead and build the departments general commercial and real property legal capabilities;
- the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in plain English both verbally and in writing;
- substantial experience in and enthusiasm for effectively developing themselves and the lawyers they supervise including the willingness to take responsibility for their own work as well as the work of those they supervise;
- excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to develop strong working relationships with clients colleagues and stakeholders at all levels;
- a detailed appreciation (or ability to quickly acquire such an appreciation) of the policy and legislative/regulatory framework relevant to commercial dealings (e.g. probity/procurement contracting management of Commonwealth financial resources) and real property transactions (e.g. leases licence Crown lands and other acquisitions and disposals) undertaken by the Commonwealth;
- the ability to work independently and with a geographically dispersed team and triage manage and prioritise work in a high-volume and fast-paced environment that will (at times) involve urgent deadlines; and
- a commitment to operating in accordance with the Statement of Expectations of Australian Government lawyers.
Favourable:
While not a mandatory requirement given the leadership and legal expertise that this role requires we expect many suitable candidates are likely to have at least 7 years relevant post qualification experience.
In addition exposure to/experience in resolving commercial and/or property disputes including using alternate dispute resolution and in the development and implementation of strategic dispute resolution strategies would be favourably considered.
RecruitAbility minimum requirements
Minimum requirements for this role include:
- Meeting the eligibility requirements outlined below
- Both general commercial and real property legal practice experience with significant depth and breadth in at least one of those areas
- Effective people management and leadership skills
- Excellent communication skills both written and oral
- Ability to advise on the most complex legal commercial and/or property matters
- Ability to manage prioritise and supervise a large number of matters in a complex environment
RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.
Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:
- Opt into the scheme
- Declare they have a disability and
- Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants Australian Public Service Commission.
What else can we offer
Our department offers a range of benefits including:
Your life
Find your purpose.
We provide the environment you need through excellent conditions and a supportive values-driven culture allowing you to keep being you.
The APS values are to be: impartial committed to service accountable respectful ethical and to act with stewardship. Through our commitment to these values we maintain a fulfilling and supportive environment that promotes the wellbeing of our people.
We offer job security flexible work arrangements on agreement with your supervisor city work locations generous leave and superannuation entitlements and access to higher tiered pay points in some classifications.
Access to join our 6 staff-led diversity networks which promote a culture of inclusion to enhance work performance and the wellbeing of all staff.
Your contribution
Our collaborative and supportive culture fosters high performing teams where you are valued for your expertise experiences and point of view.
We provide the environment you need through excellent conditions and a supportive values-driven culture allowing you to keep being you.
We provide a respectful and inclusive working environment.
Our people feel a sense of belonging and are acknowledged for the contributions they make towards our objectives to deliver for the Australian community.
Your development
Commence or enhance your career pathway and build your knowledge skills and experience through our commitment to learning and development and professional opportunities.
Through our investment in learning and development opportunities and a positive performance culture we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
Eligibility requirements
Employment with the Department of Infrastructure Transport Regional Development Communications Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the departments preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at AGSVA Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia or have a checkable background for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Admission as a legal practitioner however described of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and hold or be eligible to obtain a practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.
Timeline and assessment
A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.
Applications open: 9 June 2025
Applications close: 29 June 2025
Application shortlisting: 1 July 2025
Further assessments: 14 July 2025
Selection report finalised: 21 July 2025
Offers and announcements: 4 August 2025
The above is indicative only please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.
Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted you may be asked to undertake further assessment this may include work sample testing interviews and reference checks.
How to apply
Applications for this opportunity close at 11:59pm AEST Sunday 29 June 2025.
In applying for this position you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than two (2) pages outlining your background capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the Who are we looking for section.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF no more than four (4) pages.
Your application should be received through the departments online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.
If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team onor via email at to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information please email
Work with us. Apply now!
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
