AEE3 - Executive Director, Legal Services

Securing Australia - protecting its people.

AEE3 - Executive Director, Legal Services

Job type: Leadership in ASIO

Location: Canberra,Adelaide,Brisbane,Melbourne,Sydney

Category: Ongoing - Permanent

Job reference: 13020242025

$215,202

14-Jul-2025

Description: The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. In a complex, challenging and changing security environment, our success is built on the imagination and intelligence of our team. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful in our mission, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient. We seek to reflect the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value. The opportunity Are you interested in providing expert legal advice on cutting edge issues? Do you want to have a key role in building ASIO's in-house legal capability? This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for talented and committed senior lawyers to take on a unique leadership role within ASIO's Legal Services Division. Our Legal Services Division is a fast-paced practice with a supportive and collegiate culture. Led by the General Counsel, ASIO's Legal Services Division is a professional in-house legal practice. It provides expertise across a full range of legal services to support ASIO's operational and corporate functions, and to manage its representation in courts and tribunals. The Division works with international and domestic partners including law enforcement, intelligence agencies and other Commonwealth and State departments and agencies. We have two opportunities for outstanding legal practitioners to join ASIO's Legal Services Division. We are looking for highly skilled and dedicated lawyers who are strong leaders, excellent problem solvers, collaborative colleagues and subject-matter experts in particular fields. As an Executive Director in the Legal Services Division, you will be part of the Division's senior leadership team. You will work closely with colleagues across ASIO and external partners and stakeholders, to inspire teams to deliver high quality legal services and champion the Organisation's values. You will provide technical leadership, coordination and oversight on complex areas of law in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and the Statement of Expectations of Government Lawyers. We have two roles available in the operations law advisory practice and in the litigation and dispute resolution practice. A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months. Role responsibilities Reporting to an Assistant Director-General (Senior Executive Service Band 1) in the Legal Services Division, the successful applicant for the operations law advisory practice will: - Coordinate the provision of clear and accurate legal advice on ASIO operational matters in accordance with legal professional obligations. - Triage incoming requests at the branch-level for advice and allocation, in consultation with the Legal Executive. - Coordinate the provision of legal advice in respect of legislative amendments impacting on ASIO activities to advance ASIO's interests and ensure ASIO's legislative framework is fit for purpose. - Assist with the mentoring and development of lawyers within the Branch. - Represent the Legal Services Division at various forums and collaborate across ASIO and externally on oversight matters. - Coordinate and manage information retention and sharing within the Branch. - Advice on trending legal issues across the Branch for Legal Executive attention. Reporting to an Assistant Director-General (Senior Executive Service Band 1) in the Legal Services Division, the successful applicant for the litigation and dispute resolution practice will:

- Coordinate the provision of clear legal advice in accordance with legal professional obligations. - Coordinate and assist with the conduct of litigation / dispute resolution matters involving ASIO's interests. - Manage key external stakeholder relationships relevant to the practice. - Assist with ensuring ASIO's model litigant and other relevant obligations are met. - Represent the Legal Division at various forums and collaborate across ASIO and externally on oversight matters. - Coordinate and manage information retention and sharing within the Branch. - Advise on trending legal issues across the Branch for Legal Executive attention. For candidates for the operations law advisory role, candidates with extensive experience in statutory interpretation and national security law are encouraged to apply. For candidates for the litigation and dispute resolution role, candidates with extensive experience in complex litigation / dispute resolution matters of public significance are encouraged to apply.
What you will bring

We invite applications from people with the following attributes:
- Extensive experience in providing legal advice on complex issues in a government context, with a focus in administrative, criminal, public law or other relevant field. - Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to identify and clearly explain legal issues and risk in a clear and concise manner. - Demonstrated ability to explain complex legal issues to a wide range of audiences. - A strong commitment to client service, with a focus on valuing different contributions, perspectives, and backgrounds. - Demonstrated experience in leading complex issues across entities, responding flexibly to changing circumstances and adapting plans to achieve results. - A dedication to mentoring early-career lawyers and fostering learning and development more broadly. What we offer you ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including: - A competitive salary, including a 7.5 per cent allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance. - Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4 per cent - A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance. - Flexible working arrangements to assist you to maintain your work-life balance (Please note: due to our unique working environment, work from home options are generally not available) - Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education. - Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks. Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Eligibility To be eligible for the role, you must be: - An Australian citizen. - Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance. - Hold a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from an Australian university (or comparable overseas qualification) and possess, or be eligible to possess, a current unrestricted practising certificate in your State or Territory of residence. - Have at least 7 years post qualification experience. Reasonable adjustments ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for candidates to participate within all stages of the selection process. These opportunities may include reasonable adjustment to assessment methodologies to enable full participation. Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace. Location These positions are located in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide. Relocation assistance is provided to successful applicants when relocating. We advertise positions nationally to reach the broadest audience. Please refer to the position location before applying. How to apply Click on 'Apply online' to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following: - A written pitch of up to 1,000 words using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. - A current CV, no more than 2 pages in length. - Details of 2 referees, which must include a current supervisor. Before applying you should familiarise yourself with the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, both available on the ASIO website. To increase your chances of success, tailor your application responses to align with the relevant capabilities and levels outlined in these frameworks. ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment. Closing date and time Monday 14 July 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT. No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted. Employment conditions Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available. Australian Workplace Equality Index In 2025, ASIO achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard, recognising ASIO's inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was one of only 7 public sector employers, and the first Australian intelligence agency, to achieve this status. The ASIO Diversity and Inclusion Strategy reflects ASIO's commitment and recognises the benefits of being a diverse and inclusive organisation. For further information about ASIO's Diversity and Inclusion networks, please visit: www.asio.gov.au/about/diversity-and-inclusion. Enquiries If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at careers@asio.gov.au or phone 02 6263 7888. More information For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.