Principal Lawyer, Commercial Law Unit

About us
The Department of Education (department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors.
The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.
The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk.
In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 Victorian government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.
About the role – full time, fixed term until 30 June 2027
A rare fixed term opportunity has arisen to work in an outstanding in-house legal team as a Principal Lawyer of the Commercial Law unit (CLU), part of the Commercial and Legislation Branch of the department's Legal Division.
The CLU provides legal risk management support and expertise across the full life cycle of commercial transactions undertaken within the department and by Victorian Government schools, including strategic procurement support in the preparation of grants, specific procurements of services, curriculum conntected software and with ICT procurement for both the department and schools.
The CLU also provides strategic support in relation to the procurement, negotiation and management of a broad range of contracts, service agreements, funding agreements and other commercial documents.
This includes all necessary advice before going to the market, tailoring of standard documents to make them fit for purpose, supporting supplier selection through responding to requests for contract departures, assessment of any best and final offers, subsequent contract negotiation and drafting, and consequential contract management (primarily in relation to disputes).
A focus of the CLU is advising the department and schools on legal risk management and ensuring contracts used by the department and schools support compliance with applicable policy, standards and laws of relevance to the department and schools, especially privacy, data protection and child safety.
The primary responsibility of this role is to support the Principal Lawyer and Managers of the CLU and the Director of the branch to achieve the unit's and branch's objectives by being a senior technical expert and a leader in Commercial Law in accordance with the department's values and objectives.
The Principal Lawyer will be responsible for specialist technical and strategic legal advice in the areas of law relevant to the work of the CLU, with particular focus on funding and procurement activity that complies with department policy and supports specific department education programs and initiatives, enterprise wide procurement, supporting commercial activities of Victorian government Schools, and for settling and supervising the work of other lawyers and law clerks in the team.
Why join us?
Challenging, purpose-based work that makes a difference - Be part of a passionate, high-performing team that helps support life-long learning in Victoria.
Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding – As part of a career in the public sector you can help shape Victoria's future, serve the community and follow your ambition.
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Flexible and hybrid working arrangements —flexible start and finish times, ability to work partly from home.
Salary – Bi-annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement
Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.
Values – The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.
The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government.
Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter summarising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).
For more details regarding this position, please see the attached position description.
For a confidential discussion, please phone Jon Sennitt, Principal Lawyer and Manager, Commercial Law Unit, 03 7022 0***.
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Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at .
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks.
Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025.