Chief Legal Counsel

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Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Role Type: Permanent Full Time

Location: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra or Melbourne (Australia)

QinetiQ is a global technology and engineering company that exists to protect lives and secure the future. With more than 8,000 employees worldwide - including 800+ here in Australia - we deliver mission‑critical services and systems to Defence, national security, and essential industry.

Following a strategic redesign, we’ve sharpened our focus and are investing in the future - starting with the people who will help shape it.

If you're driven by purpose, passionate about solving complex problems, and ready to make a real impact - there’s never been a better time to join us.

With a presence in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada and G ermany, we bring global expertise to local challenges, helping build Australia’s sovereign industrial capability for the future.

We are pleased to welcome applications from seasoned legal professionals for a key role on our Australian leadership team. In terms of location, applicants from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra or Melbourne are encouraged to apply.

As our Chief Legal Counsel, you will provide strategic legal counsel and advice to our Australian Sector Chief Executive and executive leadership team, covering all aspects of corporate and commercial law, compliance and governance and, as needed, a range of legal expertise relevant to the transactional management of business opportunities. In more specific terms you will:

- Contribute to and lead on the delivery of legal, commercial, trade controls, and ethics and probity services which enable the achievement of the business strategic objectives

- Provide strategic counsel and advice on a range of commercial transactions and the spectrum of legal subjects involved in the effective delivery of the business strategy

- Ensure appropriate trade controls management processes are in place as part of our ‘licence to trade’

- Proactively manage ethics and probity processes and issues

- Support the Group (UK) Director Legal & Company Secretary on the legal aspects of establishing and maintaining effective governance and compliance policies and processes in relation to Group subsidiary companies

- Maintain awareness of, and monitor for changes in, the regulatory environment within Australia, supporting the Australia leadership in meeting their statutory obligations

- Support the implementation of relevant corporate governance policies and processes

- Manage the effective engagement and use of external legal counsel, where required

In terms of reporting lines, you will report to the Australian Sector Chief Executive with dotted line reporting to the UK based Group Director Legal & Company Secretary and Group Commercial Director to ensure appropriate stewardship and control.

As our ideal applicant, you’ll be a qualified commercial lawyer with significant, senior level experience encompassing experience as a solicitor or barrister (or international equivalent) and extensive in‑house experience at a c‑suite or equivalent level. You’ll also have:

- Experience of working in, or with, complex and international organisations and/or with complex technologies (ideally defence and national security industry or similar)

- Experience in successfully delivering in a global or multi‑national company

- Strong relationship building skills with ability to make connections and partner with local and global stakeholders

- An understanding of how to successfully deliver in a matrix organisation, including partnering effectively with functional peers

- A proven ability to manage business governance and assurance whilst being adaptable and agile

- Demonstrable capability to operate at a strategic level, develop and deliver transformational change and improve operational service delivery

An understanding of commercial contracting and of trade controls within an Australian Defence industry context will be highly regarded.

Due to the nature of this role, applicants must be eligible for Australian Defence security clearance. Current security clearance will be considered favourably.

Whilst applications must be made online, confidential enquiries are welcome and may be directed to Cathy Riach, Talent Acquisition Director (clriach@qinetiq.com.au ). A position description is available upon request.

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Looking for an Employer with Benefits?

At QinetiQ, our competitive remuneration and benefits package supports your evolving needs throughout your career. You’ll share in the company’s success, and be rewarded for your own. We’ll invest in your professional development and provide an inclusive environment for you to succeed.

Some of our benefits include:

- Access to ongoing development including LinkedIn Learning

- Purchased leave program and loyalty leave

- Up to 18weeks paid parental leave

- Annual bonus scheme and long‑term incentive plan

- Complimentary salary continuance insurance

- Annual volunteering leave with Operation Give Back

- Relaxed dress code

As the defence industry in Australia grows, it is an exciting time to join QinetiQ. What the company looks like today will be different to that of tomorrow as we navigate an ever changing world. To innovate for our customers' advantage we value the need for diversity of thought in everything we do. We provide a flexible and inclusive environment where our people can bring their whole selves to work, meaningfully contribute and have equal opportunity to succeed. We actively seek applications from people who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Aligned with our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Reconciliation Action Plan, we also encourage applications from women, veterans and First Nations people.

QinetiQ conducts pre‑employment screening, including but not limited to identity verification and police checks, for all preferred candidates.

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