Legal Counsel

Sydney Water is seeking a committed and experienced Legal Counsel – Environment & Planning to join our Legal and Compliance team on a 12-month fixed term contract. This role supports the Head of Legal and Compliance in providing expert legal advice, with a particular focus on environment and planning law.

About the Role

In this position, you will deliver timely and high-quality legal support on all matters relevant to Sydney Water, specialising in environmental and planning issues. You will advise on environmental legislation, work with government authorities, represent Sydney Water in EPA prosecutions, and support the business on a diverse range of legal, commercial, and operational challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely and high-quality legal advice across all areas of law relevant to Sydney Water, with a strong focus on environment and planning law.
• Advise on legislative compliance, particularly under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997,Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Sydney Water Act 1994.
• Draft, review, negotiate and advise on a broad range of environment and planning law matters including matters involving EPA litigation,environment protection licences and planning approvals.
• Support the Head of Legal and Compliance and operational teams with day-to-day commercial, contract and environment and planning law related matters.
• Manage and oversee litigation matters in collaboration with external legal advisers.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure effective legal service delivery.
• Contribute to knowledge management by capturing and sharing legal insights and corporate knowledge across the Legal and Compliance team.

Skills and Experience

• 4+ years' post-admission experience, primarily in environment and planning law, ideally gained in both private practice and in-house, with training at a mid or top-tier law firm.
• Strong capability in contract drafting, negotiations and providing high quality legal advice particularly in relation to environment and planning law matters.
• Demonstrated expertise dealing with the EPA and government authorities.
• Proven ability to identify and assess commercial and legal risks effectively.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with sound commercial judgment in complex legal matters.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience in regulated environments and commercial or contract law highly regarded.

Essential Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in law with an unrestricted practising certificate (or eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate).

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

You must be anAustralian CitizenorPermanent Residentat 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:Thursday 7th August 2025

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'sTerms,Privacy Policyand Sydney Water'sPrivacy Collection Statement – Job Application

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