General Counsel

• Opportunity to uplift our legal division
• Work for an organisation supporting the broader community
• Work towards our new vision at the City of Ryde

About Us

City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.

Our City is undergoing significant population growth as we address the housing crisis in a collaborative manner with the NSW State Government. Council anticipates our population to double over the next 30 years. To address this rapid population growth, Council has developed a strategy to "strike the right balance", ensuring that employment opportunities and provision of critical infrastructure occurs with significant housing uplift.

Our council will continue to deliver a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.

About the Role

You will be integral in providing legal strategy and services to meet the expectations of the Council, Executive Team and City of Ryde staff. You will be part of uplifting the legal function in providing advice on complex legal matters within the Local Government Act, Environmental Protection Assessment Act, Codes of Conduct, Meeting Procedures, Contract Law and Common Law.

Your expertise in planning law and understanding of Industrial relations law will be instrumental in providing high level legal services across the business.

You will be solutions focussed, identifying gaps in current practices, delivering fit-for-purpose policies and tools to increase internal capability towards our new vision. As part of the Executive Leadership team, you will pro-actively lead from the front, driving accountability in your team whilst bringing your commercial mindset to the community.

You have the expertise to work with a range of complex matters, using your strategic approach in guiding your team to deliver best practice to the people of Ryde.

About You

You will bring your previous experience in providing authoritative, specialist, expert and strategic legal advice on complex and sensitive matters and conduct legal proceedings on behalf of City of Ryde. Your prior background in a similar role coupled with the ability to build solid relationships across the business will be key to your success.

You will have substantial knowledge across a broad range of legal services along with your superior negotiating skills in mediating sensitive and complex cases and disputes. You will be impactful in your approach using your expertise to deliver legal outcomes.

In addition, you will also have:

• Degree in Law
• Admitted or eligibility for admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
• Substantial post-admission experience, preferably in commercial, property, local government and/or planning law, is essential
• Ability to deal with difficult clients/witnesses and achieve cooperation
• Ability to contribute to policy development and change management decisions and implement action
• Expert in appearing as Legal Counsel in the NSW Courts system.

Your commencing annual salary will range from $235,630.17 to $253, Superannuation + Leaseback vehicle, dependent on your experience and qualifications.

Culture & Benefits

• Leaseback vehicle
• Free shuttle bus between the North Ryde Office and North Ryde Metro Station
• Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
• Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available for eligible positions
• Flexibility regarding start and finish times to suit your lifestyle
• Enjoy one Personal Leave Day a month
• Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly
• 18 weeks paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
• 3 extra leave days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday
• Annual performance reviews and Award increases
• Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
• Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, etc.)

How to apply

Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview.

Please note you do not need a "password" to use our on-line application system, however you have the option save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process. Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria.

Closing Date: Friday 17th October 2025 at 11:30pm

If you would like to know more, please see the position description or job-related enquiries please contact Kelly Hawkins, Talent Acquisition Specialist on for a confidential discussion.

City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety

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