General Counsel

The position is responsible for the delivery of Legal Services to the department and the provision of independent, high level and timely legal and related strategic advice to the Ministers, Director-General, Executive Leadership Team and officers across all areas of the department, liaison with other government and external agencies, and representation of the department as required in legal matters.

In order to maintain the ability to provide independent legal advice, the holder of the position is not subject to direction from persons who are not lawyers as to the content of legal opinions or advice.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate cultural capability and/or a commitment to developing cultural capability to ensure an inclusive culture that aligns with the Human Rights Act 2019 and supports departmental programs and community partnerships aimed at preserving cultural connections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• As the department's chief legal officer, manage and undertake the provision of independent, timely, strategic and expert advice to the Ministers, Director-General, Executive Leadership Team and other senior officers in relation to legal, policy and process issues, often of a complex and sensitive nature, to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of departmental services, and represent the Director-General in legal matters as required.
• Manage and undertake a broad range of legal work, including statutory interpretation, judicial review and administrative law issues, corporate governance, compliance, subpoena work, contract work, anti-discrimination claims, human rights, human resources, and privacy issues, facilitate representation of the department at inquests, courts and tribunals and provide timely authoritative legal advice to all business branches and units within the department, particularly frontline service providers, on matters related to legislation administered by the department as well as all other aspects of departmental business.
• Plan, organise, lead and manage the staff and resources, including budget allocation, of the Legal Services branch and manage and review the systems,

including effective databases for legal advices given and requested, as well as practices of delivery of legal services to the department, ensuring officers of the branch act at all times within the ethical and professional standards of an independent lawyer, adhering to the model litigant principles.

• Manage the sourcing of external legal support including Crown Law, the Solicitor-General and private firms in compliance with government processes and protocols, including corporate, commercial or property related matters or other matters as required.
• Instruct external providers of legal services to the Department (principally Crown Law) to ensure a consistent, co-ordinated and effective approach to the provision of such services, including all litigation and requests for advice involving the department, and direct the department's compliance with the Queensland Government Insurance Fund (QGIF) regarding the obligations of the department in managing its litigation pursuant to the policy with QGIF and management of the department's budget for this insurance.
• Consider legal developments and Crown Law advices for broader departmental implications and advise departmental management accordingly, identify

opportunities for improving departmental policies and practices in order to reduce the legal exposure of the Department, develop and recommend implementation strategies and participate in processes of legislative reform affecting the department.

• Consult, negotiate and influence across all levels of government, industry and other key stakeholders to effectively achieve desired strategic directions and outcomes in relation to Legal priorities.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/658136/25
Closing Date: Wednesday, 17th September 2025
Occupational group
Justice & Legal