General Counsel

About us

Woollahra is an area steeped in natural beauty and heritage appealing to residents, businesses and visitors who enjoy its many parks, waterfront locations and historic buildings. Our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions creating a dynamic workforce of over 400 staff members.

About the role

This role involves providing high-quality, responsive legal services across the organisation, including managing Land and Environment Court litigation and representing the Council in court proceedings and conciliations. The position requires strategic leadership and oversight of in-house legal services to support the delivery of Council’s plans and operational objectives.

About you

We are seeking a dynamic legal professional with a strong track record in delivering high-quality, responsive legal services. Your expertise in providing legal advice on planning, local government matters, and governance while working collaboratively with senior leadership will set you apart.

Essential Criteria

- Relevant legal qualifications and admission to the Supreme Court of NSW to practice as a principal of a legal practice

- Experience in providing legal advice to senior management across a broad range of law including local government, commercial, governance, planning, heritage conservation, and environmental law.

- Demonstrated experience in a legal practice, in-house counsel, government lawyer or similar role with extensive experience in the provision of complex or high-level legal advice.

- Experience in the development of legal strategies & protocols.

- Capacity to review and then implement business process improvements with a strong focus on strategic outcomes.

- Strong people leadership skills and demonstrated experience in taking an active interest in the development of your people.

- Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills supported by highly developed political awareness.

- Demonstrated commitment to providing high level of customer experience with the ability to set strategic direction, plan and set priorities and manage a variety of concurrent tasks.

- Well-developed analytical thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

- Current driver’s licence.

Desirable Criteria

- Relevant postgraduate qualifications or recognition in Local Government or Planning Law.

What’s in it for you?

We promote equal access to opportunities within the organisation and we pride ourselves on creating a safe and engaging working environment.

We are dedicated to looking after our staff, because if we look after our people, we will be better placed to look after our community.

- We value your work/life balance

- Hybrid workplace - work from home up to 2 days per week

- Subsidised gym membership through Fitness Passport with access to 810+ fitness facilities

- Generous personal leave provisions (E.g. Long Service Leave after 5 years’ of continuous service, Parental Leave, Health & Wellbeing Days, Study Leave)

- High quality training and development opportunities

How to apply

- Apply online by clicking APPLY NOW

- You will be asked to demonstrate how you meet each of the selection criteria

- If you have a separate statement addressing the selection criteria, please upload it as a cover letter and simply refer to it in the online questionnaire

- You will be able to upload 2 documents only

- For information on applying for Council jobs, please refer to http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/council/employment/recruitment_and_selection_process

- For further information about the role, please contact Scott Pedder, Director Planning and Place on (02) 9391 7080 during business hours

- Our preference is for applications to be submitted online, however, we will accept hard copy applications addressed to Human Resources, Woollahra Council, PO Box 61, Double Bay, NSW, 1360

CLOSING DATE: 11:59PM on Sunday, 12 October 2025

Woollahra Council is committed to responding to its responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 in undertaking all measures that are reasonably practical to ensure the health and safety of all our workers. Woollahra Council is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to reconciliation and strongly encourage all applicants, including, but not limited to, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young people, mature aged workers, LGBTIQ and other minority groups to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.

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