Legal Officer

The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia's economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

ASA Legal provides the dedicated in-house legal function for the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and is expanding its capacity to meet the agency's growing operational and strategic needs.

We are seeking an experienced and high performing EL 2 lawyer with a background in either commercial law and/or administrative law, who is dedicated, committed, resilient and ready to support the provision of timely and effective legal advice. You will have an extensive knowledge of and compliance with relevant legislative frameworks, government decision-making and ASA's mission and policy requirements.

Working with considerable independence, you will be responsible for overseeing the work of junior lawyers and will be accountable to perform and achieve very complex legal work within an integrated workforce. You will provide timely, tailored and accurate advice on a range of legal issues within your legal subject matter expertise, and be given opportunities to engage on new areas of law that affect the ASA.

You will be collaborative in your approach to providing legal advice, with an ability to develop and maintain relationships internally, across Government and with industry and international partners. You will need to be self-aware, and positive in considering and respecting diversity of ideas and the perspectives of others.

This position is Canberra based, but a highly suitable candidate from Adelaide or Perth will be considered. This role offers a Flexible/On-site Office Arrangement including potential for limited work from home.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in ASA as a Building Capability Payment (BCP). This enables ASA to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the ASA Enterprise Agreement, for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to ASA capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities.

The ASA offers legal practitioners to work in a dynamic team to support the implementation of the Optimal Pathway.

ASA Legal is a small and dynamic legal team that offers high-impact, meaningful work. The legal work at ASA encompasses both the core legal functions of a Commonwealth entity (such as administrative law advising, procurement, FOI) as well as new and emerging areas of law for Australia. As part of the legal team, you will also be ready to champion the ASA's compliance with applicable domestic and international legal requirements.

You will work within a team of in-house counsel, and alongside external counsel from both the private sector and other Government entities, to provide advice that meets both the existing and emerging needs of the ASA. You will be collaborative in your approach to providing legal advice, with an ability to develop and maintain relationships internally, across Government and with industry and international partners.

Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

Our ideal candidate will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

• Experience providing timely, tailored and accurate strategic legal advice in one or both of the following disciplines:
• Commercial law in a government context
• Administrative law, including Freedom of Information advice
• Demonstrated ability to be accountable for, and to work with minimal supervision to deliver, high quality and trusted legal services that support strategic initiatives, meet client expectations, manage business and legal risk, manage governance and compliance requirements, and always meet professional standards.
• Broad awareness of Australia's defence environment and the strategic issues associated with the ASA.
• Expertise in mentoring and growing junior lawyers, setting clear performance and behavioural standards, managing performance, delegating responsibility and guiding and developing people.
• An ability to communicate and influence in a clear, concise and articulate manner, both in writing and orally, particularly when dealing with senior personnel.
• Engaging and working collaboratively with stakeholders, and negotiating and advocating on behalf of the ASA in a persuasive manner to achieve business outcomes.
• An ability to engage with legal risk, while still maintaining the professionalism needed to deliver frank and fearless legal advice in the face of challenge.

Application Closing Date:
Sunday 30 November 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference
ASA/08442/25
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