Principal Solicitor/Managing Principal Solicitor, Workplace Relations

• Seeking variety, complexity and purpose? This role offers a mix of advisory and litigation, direct client interaction, and diverse government clients.
• Lead and mentor Guide junior solicitors while building your leadership experience
• Be part of a high-performing, collaborative team that values knowledge-sharing, continuous improvement and career development
• Hybrid work - enjoy the flexibility of office and remote work
• Ongoing | Full-time or Part-time
• VPS 6 $138,631 - $185,518 plus superannuation per annum (depending on experience)

About the VGSO

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) serves the rule of law exclusively for the State.

The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.

About our branch

Our Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety Team is a high performing team of 20 lawyers. We provide specialist legal services to the Victorian Government and the broader Victorian Public Sector as part of our employment, workplace investigations, industrial, discrimination and occupational health and safety practice. We also work closely with specialists in other branches of the VGSO in areas of law such as information sharing, constitutional and public law, administrative law and commercial law.

Our practice is a mix of both litigious and advisory work, and the matters we work on are engaging and often of significant public interest.

In our team, you will have the opportunity to work on a range of matters, including:

• Enterprise agreement interpretation and industrial disputes;
• Employment-related litigation including unfair dismissal, general protections, sexual harassment and discrimination claims;
• Advice on employment-related issues (including managing misconduct, performance and incapacity, workplace investigations, bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination complaints);
• Advice on public law related matters, including advice relating to public service and public sector executives; and
• Occupational health and safety matters.

About the role

We're seeking a senior and experienced employment law professional to join the VGSO as a Principal Solicitor or Managing Principal Solicitor within our Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety (WROS) Branch.

In this pivotal position, you will manage complex and high-profile employment law matters, providing strategic legal advice and managing litigation. You will play a key leadership role where you will be mentoring junior solicitors, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture, and contributing to their professional growth.

To be successful in this role you will be passionate about developing talent, building strong client relationships, and delivering exceptional legal services to government clients.

This role offers the opportunity to further develop your marketing and communication skills through regular public speaking and training via client workshops. You will also contribute to business development initiatives, helping to grow the practice and strengthen client engagement through thought leadership, networking, and client-focused solutions.

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Experience in leading and mentoring junior lawyers
• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal issues
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship management skills, with a collaborative and professional approach

Benefits

VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.

VGSO embraces flexibility and recognises the importance of work-life balance. We offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, allowing employees to spend half of their time working remotely and the other half in the office. This setup encourages collaboration and strengthens team connections, while supporting your ability to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now

Click 'Apply Now' to start your application. Applications must include:

• a cover letter (no longer than 2 pages)
• resume

Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant skills/experience and suitability to the role in their cover letter.

To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Kate Miller, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, on or email

Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.

Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.