Principal Legal Officer

• Ongoing full-time opportunity 
• Advise on election law, governance, legislation, and regulatory frameworks that directly impact democratic processes
• Great team with flexible working arrangements on offer

About the Role

The Principal Legal Officer (Enforcement) develops and delivers legal, policy and strategic regulatory advice to the NSW Electoral Commission, Electoral Commissioner and internal stakeholders to meet government obligations, ensure compliance with the law and inform executive decisions.

The Principal Legal Officer (Enforcement) is accountable for providing ongoing legal support to compliance activities and investigations into alleged breaches of relevant legislation relating to elections, electoral funding and lobbying in NSW, including providing strategic regulatory advice in respect of the Commission's compliance and enforcement functions.

The role is an Ongoing Full-time position.

About the NSW Electoral Commission

The New South Wales Electoral Commission delivers trusted and independent systems, processes, oversight and engagement that support democracy in New South Wales. Our vision is to maintain confidence in the integrity of the democratic process and make it easy for people to understand and participate.

Our work includes:

• Running and regulating elections
• Communicating and engaging with current and future voters, key NSW community stakeholders and NSW election participants; and
• Investigating possible offences and enforcing electoral and lobbying laws such as the Electoral Act 2017 and the Electoral Funding Act 2018.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on large scale events and assist your local community  
• Career development opportunities through study and face to face training
• Access to self-paced expert-led training via LinkedIn Learning
• Employee Assistance Program for wellbeing support 
• Staff social events to connect with colleagues  
• Work/Life balance (35 hour working week), flex leave, generous holidays and leave conditions
• Access to Fitness Passport for eligible staff 
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Convenient CBD location, access to public transport 

Key knowledge, experience and essential requirements

• Experience managing complex legal matters as a solicitor in a jurisdiction similar to NSW.
• Expertise and experience in legislation, case law and court procedures in relation to regulatory and criminal prosecutions and an awareness of the NSW electoral system or a similar jurisdiction.
• Ability to provide immediate advice during election events or in other peak periods on complex and sensitive legal, policy and compliance matters, including the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership capabilities including the ability engage and motivate staff, and develop capability and potential in others.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law.
• Hold a practising certificate issued by the Law Society of NSW prior to commencing duties.
• Meet the political neutrality requirements for officers of the NSW Electoral Commission, including having no affiliation with political parties, candidates, elected members, third party campaigners or lobbyists.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record check result.

How to apply

As part of your application, you will be asked to respond to the two targeted questions:

1. Describe a time when you have had competing deadlines involving the management of a busy legal caseload, including an urgent response to an external stakeholder. How did you manage yourself and communicate about your workload with managers, clients, colleagues and other stakeholders while meeting your professional obligations? (maximum 300 words)
2. Describe your personal leadership style. How do you approach lifting individual performance and contribute to the strategic direction of your team. Please give examples from a specific role (maximum 300 words)
    

You should include a covering letter summarising your skills, knowledge and work experience, along with an up-to-date resume which clearly detail your skills and experience as relevant to this role. 

For further information regarding the role please download the Role Description.

Applying for a role in the NSW Public Service

For more information on how to apply for a role in the NSW Public Service, please refer here.

The NSW Electoral Commission embraces diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the population of New South Wales. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, mature-age people, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this role. 

If you have any questions about applying or would benefit from an adjustment to the recruitment process to help you perform your best, please contact For more information on recruitment adjustments visit I Work for NSW Adjustments for individual needs.

Applications received and completed after closing time will not be considered for selection. 

The selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

For further information, contact NSW Electoral Commission's Talent team on

Other Information

Your employment will be subject to National Criminal Records Check to determine your suitability for employment.  

The NSW Electoral Commission is committed to maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. The Commission requires all its employees to refrain from membership of any political party and from engaging in political activity which could be seen as reflecting adversely on the strict political neutrality of the Commission. To maintain political neutrality, applicants for roles with the Commission who are, who have been or who may be perceived to be or have been connected with political activities may also be ineligible for appointment and should disclose such information as part of their application. This does not include voting in a Commonwealth, State or Local Government election, which is compulsory in NSW.  The Commission's Political Neutrality Policy may be viewed on its website.

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles of the same work classification that may become available for filling over the next 18 months.

This role is based in at our Elizabeth Street, Sydney office with a hybrid work arrangement. 

Applications Close: Thursday 9th October 2025 @ 11.59pm