Senior Legal Counsel

YOUR ROLE IN THE FUTURE
Senior Legal Counsel

•    Part time (3-4 days per week) ongoing role

•    Parkville location, with flexible, hybrid working

•    $165,000 - $175,000 (pro-rata) + 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, compassion and excellence, and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
 
About the role
As the Senior Legal Counsel, you'll primarily responsible for preparing and negotiating contracts across the full lifecycle of research projects at Peter Mac. From initiation through to commercialisation, you will provide high-quality legal support to internal teams and external partners and help embed legal best practices in a public hospital and research setting.
Key responsibilities will see you:

•    Prepare, draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of legal agreements and contracts relating to research, commercial and hospital activities

•    Provide timely and strategic legal advice to Peter Mac's researchers, project teams, and support units (including Research Managers, Grants, Clinical Research Development Office, Commercialisation, Industry Partnerships, Data Governance, Communications, Procurement, Education, and Clinical teams)

•    Assist in developing and implementing legal strategy, internal policies and process improvements

•    Educate and support scientists and research staff on legal topics relevant to their work, including privacy, contract law, IP, and commercialisation

•    Represent Peter Mac in external negotiations with collaborators, sponsors, funders, universities, and regulatory bodies

•    Provide guidance and support to the Legal Counsel and Junior Legal Counsel as required
 
This is a fantastic opportunity to use your legal expertise to support life-saving cancer research and care at Australia's leading cancer centre, advising on complex and meaningful matters that make a real difference
 
About you
You will be someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, who is able to build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You'll have a demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate effectively, while managing competing priorities with efficiency and flexibility.
You'll bring with you:

•    Admission as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, with a current practising certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board

•    At least 6+ years' experience as commercial and contracts lawyer either as a senior in- house counsel in a medium - large private sector company or in the public sector or at senior associate level in a medium-to-large law firm

•    Demonstrated experience and a high level of interest in intellectual property law

•    An understanding of the key legislation and regulatory requirements for research conducted in Australia

•    Demonstrated capacity to conceptualise, develop and review professional and research- based policy positions which address government policy, organisational strategy and medical research environments
 
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 and purchased leave options

•    Flexible, hybrid working arrangements
 
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. Applicants should provide a CV and a covering letter highlighting your key skills and experience to assist with our assessment. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and vaccination evidence. 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.
 
For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact:
Hiring Manager: Melanie Harper, General Counsel
Phone:
Email:  
 
Applications Close: 11:59PM Tuesday 23rd September 2025

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Position Summary

The role of Senior Legal Counsel will assist General Counsel and provide professional legal services and advice including the review and drafting of contracts and agreements for Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The position is primarily responsible for preparing and negotiating contracts for academic and commercially-sponsored research at Peter Mac. The Senior Legal Counsel works with a variety of internal stakeholders, including Peter Mac's scientists and researchers, research operational support staff, the Commercialisation and Partnerships team and Grants team, to prepare and negotiate legal agreements for all stages of research, from initiation through to translation and commercialisation of research results.

The position is also responsible for educating and training scientists and researchers in relation to all aspects of the law which relate to the research work done at Peter Mac, including contract law, privacy and data security law, basic intellectual property law and commercialisation principles.

Other responsibilities include representation of Peter Mac externally with partners, collaborators, industry bodies and the like, to enhance Peter Mac's reputation and influence in the research sector.

Enterprise Agreement

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers

Classification or Salary Range

HS4 – Grade 4

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 Innovation team

Peter Mac research and clinical staff and students

External

Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance

Grant funding bodies

Research institutes

Universities

Hospitals

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies 

Contract research organisations

Skills

Essential Requirements

Qualified legal practitioner.

Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and have a current practicing certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board.

At least 6+ years' experience as commercial and contracts lawyer either as a senior in- house counsel in a medium - large private sector company or in the public sector or at senior associate level in a medium-to-large law firm.

Demonstrated experience and a high level of interest in intellectual property law.

An understanding of the key legislation and regulatory requirements for research conducted in Australia.

Demonstrated capacity to conceptualise, develop and review professional and research- based policy positions which address government policy, organisational strategy and medical research environments.

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.

Desirable Requirements

Good working knowledge of data privacy law, both domestic and international

Knowledge of international research requirements would be highly regarded.

Knowledge of or an interest in health law e.g. privacy, freedom of information, consent etc.

Key Accountabilities

1. Strategic responsibilities

Assist General Counsel to develop, implement and monitor strategies for the provision of legal advice at Peter Mac.

Assist General Counsel to review Peter Mac policies and procedures.

Develop and maintain relationships with key Peter Mac and third party stakeholders including research sponsors, contract research organisations, universities and regulatory authorities.

2. Operational responsibilities    

Provide advice and support to General Counsel as required.

Provide clear, comprehensive and timely legal advice to Peter Mac stakeholders.

Review and draft commercial documentation and any other legal documentation required.

Act as locum for General Counsel during periods of leave.

Manage practising certificate CPD requirements and utilise any educational opportunities provided.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

---