Verified Job
Legal
Principal Lawyer
Legal
#47122
Remote / WFH
Department of Justice and Community Safety
Job Description
The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) is a specialist project delivery organisation, responsible for delivering Victoria's major transport, health and community safety infrastructure program.
This multi-disciplinary program includes more than 200 projects including the North East Link, removing level crossings, Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1, new and upgraded hospitals specialist programs such as the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program and community safety projects including Corrections and Emergency Services.
The unprecedented program of works brings together expert skillsets to deliver crucial health, community safety, and major transport projects, and ensures that operations are streamlined and efficient while delivering better outcomes for Victorians.
Led by the Director-General, VIDA is comprised of the five project offices, VIDA Road, VIDA Metro, VIDA Rail, VIDA Health and VIDA Community Safety.
VIDA is established as an Administration Office under the Public Administration Act 2004 as a specialist organisation.
About this Opportunity
The Principal Lawyer will provide high-quality legal advice and support across VIDA Community Safety's complex infrastructure portfolio, with a particular focus on construction, commercial and regulatory matters arising in the delivery of major government projects.
Reporting to the Director, Legal, independently lead a broad range of complex and sensitive legal matters with minimal supervision. Work closely with the VIDA Community Safety Commercial Team and provide strategic, authoritative and solutions-focused advice to support project development, procurement, delivery and associated advisory functions.
This is a senior legal role operating in a dynamic and high-profile environment. Contribute to the development of contractual documentation, support dealings with external legal, commercial and technical advisors, and help ensure legal risks are appropriately identified and managed across a significant portfolio of work.
The role also offers the opportunity to work collaboratively across the broader Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, contributing legal expertise to major infrastructure initiatives that deliver important outcomes for Victorian communities.
About You
An experienced legal practitioner with strong judgement, commercial acumen and the ability to lead complex matters independently. Brings a track record of providing clear, practical and authoritative advice on construction, commercial and regulatory issues, ideally within government or other similarly complex environments.
Combines technical legal expertise with a strong understanding of project delivery and stakeholder needs. Comfortable operating at a senior level, building trusted relationships across legal, commercial and project teams, and providing concise advice that supports informed decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
You'll bring:
Significant experience providing high-level legal advice on complex construction, commercial and/or regulatory matters, including disputes and advisory work.
Proven ability to independently manage sensitive legal matters and deliver accurate, solutions-focused advice with minimal supervision.
Strong drafting skills, including experience preparing contracts, legal documentation, briefs, reports and high-level correspondence.
Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across internal teams and external advisors.
A sound understanding of risk, governance and the broader Victorian Government context, including knowledge of government and Cabinet processes being highly regarded.
Experience mentoring or supervising junior staff and contributing positively to team capability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Key Selection Criteria
Provide solutions based legal advice, both written and oral, on issues relevant to government, Ministers, and the department, both individually and as part of a team of solicitors.
Independently manage multiple highly complex and sensitive construction, commercial and regulatory matters (both litigation and advisory) for various clients.
Undertake legal research and analysis on complex legal matters with outstanding drafting skills.
Manage the preparation of legal documentation and the drafting of complex reports, briefs and Ministerial and other correspondence as required.
Support and work collaboratively with the VIDA Community Safety executive and leadership team.
Develop close, effective and candid relationships with other VIDA Project Officers as well as other departments, agencies and stakeholders.
Contribute to a positive work environment which promotes a partnership approach to people management, enhances morale and respects diversity.
Perform other tasks as requested by the Director, Legal and the CEO of VIDA Community Safety.
Qualifications and Mandatory Requirements
A relevant tertiary qualification in law and admission as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria are mandatory.
Must possess a current Victorian Practicing Certificate, or have the ability to obtain one.
A minimum of 5 years' experience is preferable.
This multi-disciplinary program includes more than 200 projects including the North East Link, removing level crossings, Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1, new and upgraded hospitals specialist programs such as the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program and community safety projects including Corrections and Emergency Services.
The unprecedented program of works brings together expert skillsets to deliver crucial health, community safety, and major transport projects, and ensures that operations are streamlined and efficient while delivering better outcomes for Victorians.
Led by the Director-General, VIDA is comprised of the five project offices, VIDA Road, VIDA Metro, VIDA Rail, VIDA Health and VIDA Community Safety.
VIDA is established as an Administration Office under the Public Administration Act 2004 as a specialist organisation.
About this Opportunity
The Principal Lawyer will provide high-quality legal advice and support across VIDA Community Safety's complex infrastructure portfolio, with a particular focus on construction, commercial and regulatory matters arising in the delivery of major government projects.
Reporting to the Director, Legal, independently lead a broad range of complex and sensitive legal matters with minimal supervision. Work closely with the VIDA Community Safety Commercial Team and provide strategic, authoritative and solutions-focused advice to support project development, procurement, delivery and associated advisory functions.
This is a senior legal role operating in a dynamic and high-profile environment. Contribute to the development of contractual documentation, support dealings with external legal, commercial and technical advisors, and help ensure legal risks are appropriately identified and managed across a significant portfolio of work.
The role also offers the opportunity to work collaboratively across the broader Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, contributing legal expertise to major infrastructure initiatives that deliver important outcomes for Victorian communities.
About You
An experienced legal practitioner with strong judgement, commercial acumen and the ability to lead complex matters independently. Brings a track record of providing clear, practical and authoritative advice on construction, commercial and regulatory issues, ideally within government or other similarly complex environments.
Combines technical legal expertise with a strong understanding of project delivery and stakeholder needs. Comfortable operating at a senior level, building trusted relationships across legal, commercial and project teams, and providing concise advice that supports informed decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
You'll bring:
Significant experience providing high-level legal advice on complex construction, commercial and/or regulatory matters, including disputes and advisory work.
Proven ability to independently manage sensitive legal matters and deliver accurate, solutions-focused advice with minimal supervision.
Strong drafting skills, including experience preparing contracts, legal documentation, briefs, reports and high-level correspondence.
Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across internal teams and external advisors.
A sound understanding of risk, governance and the broader Victorian Government context, including knowledge of government and Cabinet processes being highly regarded.
Experience mentoring or supervising junior staff and contributing positively to team capability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Key Selection Criteria
Provide solutions based legal advice, both written and oral, on issues relevant to government, Ministers, and the department, both individually and as part of a team of solicitors.
Independently manage multiple highly complex and sensitive construction, commercial and regulatory matters (both litigation and advisory) for various clients.
Undertake legal research and analysis on complex legal matters with outstanding drafting skills.
Manage the preparation of legal documentation and the drafting of complex reports, briefs and Ministerial and other correspondence as required.
Support and work collaboratively with the VIDA Community Safety executive and leadership team.
Develop close, effective and candid relationships with other VIDA Project Officers as well as other departments, agencies and stakeholders.
Contribute to a positive work environment which promotes a partnership approach to people management, enhances morale and respects diversity.
Perform other tasks as requested by the Director, Legal and the CEO of VIDA Community Safety.
Qualifications and Mandatory Requirements
A relevant tertiary qualification in law and admission as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria are mandatory.
Must possess a current Victorian Practicing Certificate, or have the ability to obtain one.
A minimum of 5 years' experience is preferable.
