Senior Lawyer, Complaints Lead

Full time, 2 year fixed term opportunity for an experienced Senior Lawyer, Complaints Lead to join the University's Office of General CounselHybrid work from home and from campusOffering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) enjoys a highly trusted and collaborative culture, based out of a modern office on our heritage Camperdown campus, and welcomes a hybrid working model (minimum 3 days per week in the office). We are a trusted and strategic business unit that embraces innovation and continuous learning, including through a dedicated learning and development program with a focus on business, technology, and career skills.

The OGC is seeking an experienced Senior Lawyer, Complaints Lead to deploy subject matter expertise in relation to complaints management and student misconduct processes. In this position, you will play a key role in providing timely and practical legal advice to the University's Complaints Management Project, as well as other faculties and schools staff across the University.

In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to influence the Complaints Management Project to deliver a University-wide complaints function that reflects best-practice in the sector and appropriately manages overall risk to the University.

Your key responsibilities will be :

• act as principal legal advisor and OGC representative to the University's Complaints Management Project
• advise senior executive officers and other University personnel in relation to all aspects of the Complaints Management Project
• draft advice, discussion papers, and other documents for varied audiences
• review and analyse steering committee papers and project documentation
• demonstrate a client-oriented approach and implement effective complaints management strategies
• provide advice to faculties, schools and Education Portfolio staff in relation to student discipline and progression issues, appeals and student welfare and complaints, as required
• support and supervise student misconduct investigators to ensure they comply with best-practice requirements
• conduct investigations into allegations of student misconduct on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or brief specialist investigators, when required
• co-design and contribute to technology and automation solutions to drive operational efficiency, business sustainability, data collection and effectiveness.

About you

qualifications in law and admission to practice in Australia and hold a current practicing certificateapproximately 10 years post admission legal experienceexperience in leading a complaints management function within a large and complex organisation (higher education sector is advantageous)experience providing legal advice to the complaints management function / student misconduct function of a tertiary education institution (favourable)demonstrated understanding of administrative law principles, the GIPA Act, and Federal and NSW privacy legislation so far as they apply to the best-practice management of complaints and student misconduct mattersproven ability to advise and / or manage the full lifecycle of staff and student complaints to bring about early, cost-effective, and mutually-agreeable resolutionexcellent analytical, drafting and legal research skills with extensive experience in preparing and reviewing briefs and submissionsability to build trusted relationships and operate with tact and professionalism across complex internal and external environmentsa growth mindset and willingness to tackle new challenges and ways of working is essential.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nayomi Siriwardane, Recruitment Operations by email to

The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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Applications Close

Sunday 31 August : 59 PM

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