Principal Lawyer, Commercial Contracts

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

People, Legal and Governance is a Group within Department of Transport and Planning, and provides business enabling people, legal and corporate services functions, to drive a high-performance culture; timely and accessible legal advice and services; and to support integrated operations and portfolio wide programs.

About the Role 
Full time - Ongoing 

This is a standout career opportunity for a commercially astute lawyer—whether from private practice, in-house, or government—who is energised by major infrastructure and its impact on Victoria's future.

As Principal Lawyer, Commercial Contracts, you will play a pivotal role in some of the State's most significant Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, you'll deliver high-level legal and strategic advice across a diverse portfolio of landmark assets, including the West Gate Tunnel, CityLink, EastLink, Peninsula Link, Western Roads Upgrade, Southern Cross Station and other complex commercial arrangements.

This role offers the chance to operate at the centre of government infrastructure delivery, influence long-term outcomes for Victorian communities, and contribute to projects that define the way our State moves, connects, and grows.

To access the position description, please click link here.

Position Outcomes 

•    Deliver high-quality, commercially focused legal advice on a broad range of issues related to major infrastructure PPPs, spanning contract interpretation and management, construction, land-related matters, dispute resolution and general commercial law matters.

•    Critically analyse issues and deploy problem-solving skills to assist the State to realise value for money for significant infrastructure investments. 

•    Build and maintain trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

•    Effectively and efficiently manage external legal advisors to ensure advice and services provided are of a high standard

•    Monitor and advise on emerging legal risks and developments affecting major infrastructure, proactively supporting the Commercial Advisory Group and DTP Legal with insights that shape strategy and decision-making.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA 

 As Principal Lawyer, Commercial Contracts, you will provide high-level legal advice and strategic direction on complex commercial matters, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and the broader Victorian Public Service (VPS) framework.

You will critically evaluate issues from multiple perspectives, integrating practical and sustainable solutions to prevent recurrence of contractual risks. Through accomplished stakeholder management, you will foster trusted partnerships by understanding and responding to diverse client needs within their organisational contexts.

You will leverage influence and persuasion to secure agreement on legal strategies and build ownership across teams. Your resilience will guide others to remain calm and decisive under pressure, navigating challenging negotiations with confidence. With a deep awareness of political and organisational dynamics, you will ensure decisions reflect integrity, compliance, and accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Mandatory 

•    Admitted as a lawyer in Victoria and eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate

Desirable 

•    A minimum of 4 years post-qualification experience

•    Experience in private practice or in-house with a broad range of commercial agreements, PPPs or major infrastructure would be viewed favourably

What we offer

•    Flexible working arrangements with a hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork

•    Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable 

•    Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services

•    Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements

•    Opportunity to work across multiple urban and suburban hubs

•    We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture

Culture Value
We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

How to Apply

Non-DTP Employees (Including VPS outside of DTP)

Create an account by clicking the 'Apply' button and follow the prompts. For help, click here for Quick Reference Guide.

Applications close at 11:59 PM on Sunday 30 November 2025.

Please include a resume and cover letter. All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We're unable to consider email or manual applications.

For more information, contact, Martin John, Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial Contracts via  or on

Preferred applicants will need to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Your information will be treated confidentially.

If you require additional adjustments across the recruitment process or accessible formats of this ad, please contact us by phone or email.