Legal Counsel

SA Water Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

We operate in a geographically and climatically diverse service area, with sites and locations from Ceduna through to Port Augusta, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, across to the Riverland, down to Mount Gambier, and most places in between.

Our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we're focused on understanding and meeting our customers' expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact, and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

As Legal Counsel at SA Water, you'll provide clear and practical Legal advice across the business, ensuring the organisation meets its obligations including in administrative law, statutory interpretation, procurement and contracting, and regulatory compliance. You'll play a key role in delivering functional legal advice to support the business's operations and key decision-making.

You'll advise on contracts, compliance, governance and dispute resolution while supporting leaders to make informed decisions and embedding a culture of accountability. This is a hands-on role where your guidance will help shape how SA Water manages legal risk and delivers services to the company.

The ideal candidate will be a highly productive and adaptable legal professional with the confidence to engage directly with people across all levels of the business. They will have experience in and thrive in an in-house legal team, handling a high volume of enquiries while providing clear, practical and solutions-focused advice.

With strong general experience, they will be comfortable managing contract reviews, disputes, negotiations, and privacy claims, while also advising on matters relating to customer information and data handling. They will be part of a high-performing legal team, with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills and a proven ability to work independently.

To be considered, candidates must hold an unrestricted legal practice certificate and demonstrate the interpersonal skills, resilience and commercial mindset to support SA Water in achieving its strategic and operational goals.

In addition, your responsibilities will include:

• Assist in the provision of appropriate legal advice and legal drafting services to SA Water business areas and in instructing external legal service providers to deliver when required.
• Contribute to building of awareness and understanding amongst SA Water staff of key legal and commercial issues and their application to SA Water's business, including participation in decision-making or project management as required.
• Provide advice on the interpretation and application of relevant legislation
• As required, support the broader corporate services team by providing high level advice and support to internal and external stakeholders in relation to Freedom of Information, compliance, insurance and corporate obligations and processes.
• Review and advise on legal contracts including alignment to SA Water and SA Government's procurement framework, policies, risk position and business needs
• Research, coordinate, and prepare legal documentation on behalf of SA Water

Your success in this role will come from:

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications in law / legal practice
• Admission to practice law in South Australia and a current unrestricted practising certificate (or ability to obtain an unrestricted practising certificate).
• Must have undertaken (or be willing to undertake) approved training to become SA Water's Accredited FOI Officer.
• Highly developed communication skills.
• Experience in preparing, advising, drafting and negotiating contracts.
• Experience providing in-house legal and/or advice to government departments or agencies.
• Experience and ability in reviewing complex information to arrive at reasoned and defensible conclusions.
• Experience in dealing diplomatically but assertively with members of the public, senior personnel and colleagues.
• Experience in advising on legislative and compliance issues.
• Demonstrated self-management skills and capacity to work autonomously and independently

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume. For enquiries or for a copy of the Position Description, please contact [NAME] from the Talent Acquisition team steph.haines@sawater.com.au.

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au

Note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.

• Seniority level: Associate
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Utilities

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