Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Legal Counsel, Governance & Legal
Sydney Campus
Full-time opportunity, Continuing contract

- Friendly and collaborative environment

- Rewarding opportunity

- From $156,909 pa (level 10) + 14.5% superannuation

About the university

The University of Notre Dame Australia is a private Catholic University with over 1,000 permanent staff providing an exceptional educational experience to over 12,000 students across our Fremantle, Broome, and Sydney campuses, as well as clinical schools in Victoria and New South Wales.

About the office

The role of the Legal and Governance Team is to provide, promote and support good governance and decision making across the University and support statutory, regulatory, and legislative compliance obligations through provision of a range of services that uphold the governance principles of transparency, integrity, stewardship, and institutional accountability.

About the role

The Senior Legal Counsel provides strategic, high-level legal advice across complex matters including commercial, employment, privacy, governance, and regulatory issues within the higher education sector. This role supports the General Counsel in managing the legal team and shaping the University's legal framework to ensure compliance and protect its reputation.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic legal advice on complex matters including employment, property, privacy, intellectual property, corporate governance, and dispute resolution.

- Draft, negotiate, and review a wide range of legal agreements and documents to support University operations.

- Ensure legislative compliance with laws and frameworks relevant to higher education, including privacy, workplace, and governance regulations.

- Represent the University in legal proceedings, including mediations, tribunals, and court appearances, while managing external legal counsel as needed.

- Collaborate with senior leadership to develop legally sound and commercially prudent strategies, policies, and procedures.

- Identify and mitigate legal risks across the University and deliver training to staff on legal and compliance obligations.

Qualifications, skills & experience

- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a current legal practising certificate.

- Extensive post-admission experience (PQE), with demonstrated expertise in commercial law, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.

- Strong knowledge of legislation, regulations, and case law relevant to the higher education sector, including employment law, privacy law, and corporate governance.

- Proven ability to deliver timely, pragmatic, and commercially sound legal advice in complex, regulated environments.

- Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced setting.

- Strong leadership, mentoring, and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Benefits

- Generous training and development opportunities

- Friendly and collaborative working environment

- Fast paced environment with opportunity for professional growth

How to apply

Please apply online with a resume and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Applications closing date: 19 November 2025

For further information on how to apply, please visit: How to apply | Notre Dame

Applicants are expected to have current and valid work rights in Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

The University of Notre Dame Australia seeks to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the different needs of the University and its stakeholders and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our staff.

Contact us

Please direct your queries regarding this role to Haritha Garlapati, Haritha.Garlapati@nd.edu.au

Unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies will not be entertained.

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