Legal Counsel

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

Legal Counsel

• Ongoing, full time opportunity
• 80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs
• Parkville location, with flexible, hybrid working
• $115,000 - $125,000 + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave 

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

About the role

The role of Legal Counsel will assist the Peter Mac Legal Office to provide professional legal services and advice to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The successful candidate will work on legal matters that support all areas of Peter Mac, including research contracts, commercial contracts, medico-legal advice and privacy matters.

The Legal Counsel will deliver legal services and advice through efficiently and effectively facilitating the negotiation and execution of research and other agreements and managing contracts through to completion.

About you

The successful applicant will be a qualified legal practioner with at least 1-2 years' experience as commercial and contracts lawyer either gained in-house or in a medium-to-large law firm. 

You'll bring with you:

• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, without compromising attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy requirements.
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills including the ability to influence and negotiate partnerships and relationships. 
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly MS Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader and Outlook

A knowledge of, or interest in intellectual property and health law e.g., privacy, freedom of information, consent, grant funding etc. as well as an understanding of the key legislation and regulatory requirements for research conducted in Australia is desired.

Our benefits

We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

• Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• Discounted health insurance and eye care
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
• Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
• Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
• Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
• Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & ADOs
• Flexible, hybrid working practices

Inclusion and belonging

Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

Join us

If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

Hiring Manager: Melanie Harper, General Counsel 

Contact Number:

Email:

Applications Close: 2 December 2025
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Position Summary

The role of Legal Counsel will assist the Peter Mac Legal Office to provide professional legal services and advice to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The role will work on legal matters that support all areas of Peter Mac, including research contracts, commercial contracts, medico-legal advice and privacy matters.

The Legal Counsel will deliver legal services and advice through efficiently and effectively facilitating the negotiation and execution of research and other agreements and managing contracts through to completion.

Enterprise Agreement

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Adminstrative Workers

Classification or Salary Range

Grade 4: HS4

Immunisation Risk Category

Category C: Position within a non-clinical setting. 

Key Relationships

Internal

• Peter Mac Executive
• Peter Mac Research Executive
• Peter Mac Research Associate Directors
• Peter Mac Commercialisation and Business Development Department
• Peter Mac Procurement
• Peter Mac research and clinical staff and students
• Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU)
• Peter Mac IMCT

External

• Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance
• Cell Therapies Pty Ltd
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation
• External research organisations
• Universities
• Hospitals (including precinct hospital lawyers)
• Government Departments
• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies
• External suppliers and service providers
• VMIA
• External lawyers/law firms

Education
Skills

Essential Requirements

• Qualified legal practitioner.
• Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and have a current unrestricted practicing certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board.
• At least 1-2 years' experience as commercial and contracts lawyer either gained in-house or in a medium-to-large law firm.
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, without compromising attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy requirements.
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills including the ability to influence and negotiate partnerships and relationships. 
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly MS Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader and Outlook

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of or interest in intellectual property and health law e.g., privacy, freedom of information, consent, grant funding etc.
• An understanding of the key legislation and regulatory requirements for research conducted in Australia.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations
Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators

1. Strategic Responsibilities

• Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies for the provision of legal advice at Peter Mac.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key Peter Mac and third-party stakeholders including research sponsors, contract research organisations, universities, regulatory authorities and commercial partners.
• Assist the General Counsel to develop innovative ways to enhance the efficiency of the Legal Office.

2. Operational Responsibilities

• Provide advice and support to General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel as required.
• Provide clear, comprehensive, practical and timely legal advice to Peter Mac stakeholders.
• Draft, review and advise on a variety of agreements, instruments, matters and legal documents with public and private sector organisations relating to research, clinical trials, intellectual property, medico-legal matters, FOI, education and technologies (including licence, research collaboration, contract research, sponsored research, funding, service, contracts for IT, memoranda of understanding and data/material transfer agreements) and procurement.
• Undertake legal research and interpret legislation for the purposes of compliance.
• Participate in formulating and maintaining agreements with key research partners such as universities and research institutes.
• Awareness of changes or prospective changes to the law material to Peter Mac's operations and advise stakeholders of changes as appropriate.
• Manage practising certificate CPD requirements and utilise any educational opportunities provided.
• Work with internal stakeholders to draft, review and maintain appropriate policies and procedures.

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

• Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
• Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
• We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.

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