Lead Counsel, Workplace Relations

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Victorian Government Solicitor's Office

**Salary**: $182,813 - $248,629

Occupation: Legal

Reference: VG/VGSO807
- Great colleagues, great culture, and great clients
- Outstanding opportunity for an expert, senior workplace relations lawyer to join our high performing workplace relations team
- Work on diverse, complex and challenging advice work and litigation matters
- Ongoing | Full time or Part-Time
- VPS 7 $177,488 - $241,387 p.a. + superannuation

**About the VGSO**

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) serves the rule of law exclusively for the State. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.

**About our branch**

Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety provides advice and conducts litigation in relation to all aspects of Victorian public sector employment, industrial relations, occupational health and safety and discrimination law.

**About the role**

We have exciting opportunities for a senior and experienced lawyer to join the team as a Lead Counsel and assist in responding to the ever-growing demand for our legal services.
The roles involve working closely with the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor, in efficiently managing a mix of Employment Relations (ER) matters, including;
- Enterprise agreement interpretation and industrial disputes;
- Employment related litigation in the Fair Work Commission, VCAT and the Courts, including unfair dismissal and general protections claims and sexual harassment and discrimination claims;
- Advice on employment related issues (including workplace behaviour and performance, workplace investigations, bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination); and
- Advice on public law related matters, including advice relating to public service and public sector executives.

In addition, the roles involves proving highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across Government, particularly in the areas of Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety (OHS).

The ideal applicant will have demonstrated people leadership capability to provide strategic leadership to the Workplace Relations team/s, the Branch and the VGSO more broadly, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice to Government, in alignment with the VGSO's Strategic Plan, relevant Branch Business Plans and the VGSO values.

The ideal applicant with be dynamic and responsive seeking to proactively advance the VGSO's client strategies, practice area/s and client relationships in order to establish new business opportunities.

Applicants must be willing to share their knowledge and experience across the Branch, contribute to initiatives which will continue to build a positive and cohesive working environment and brief and communicate effectively with senior VGSO executives and public servants.

**Skills and experience**
- Recognised specialist in Workplace Relations, including in the provision of authoritative legal advice (both written and oral) on a range of complex and sensitive employment and industrial relations matters.
- Expert knowledge and experience in conducting strategic and efficient workplace relations litigation in all relevant State and Federal jurisdictions.
- Highly skilled in communicating complex legal ideas to diverse audiences in diverse ways which are fit for purpose.
- Demonstrated expertise in leading high performing legal team/s and providing strategic leadership and clear direction.
- High emotional intelligence and clear commitment to a positive and collaborative workplace culture.
- Demonstrated ability to manage change and proactively foster a culture of delivering innovative and effective solutions to meet current and emerging business and client needs.
- Significant experience in undertaking and managing a number of highly complex projects/tasks, whilst balancing, influencing and delivering on competing needs and priorities.
- Well-developed marketing and business development skills.

**Benefits**

VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.

VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance. We currently work in a hybrid environment with employees enjoying a balance of working from home and in the office.

**How to apply**

Applications must include a cover letter and resume. Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should