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Job Title


EL2 - Director - General Commercial and Property Lawyer


Company : Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional


Location : Sydney,


Created : 2025-06-16


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

EL2 - Director - General Commercial and Property Lawyer The Legal, Legislation Liaison & Privacy Division is seeking a (EL2 level) senior, dynamic and talented lawyer with substantial legal practice experience advising on general commercial and real property/leasing matters, strong technical legal skills and sound professional judgement to join the divisions leadership team. Reporting to the SES General Counsel Commercial & Privacy, this role will lead a high performing team of lawyers providing and managing practical, strategic and solutions-focused advice regarding a diverse portfolio of general commercial and property matters. This is an opportunity to advance your career and leadership experience in the Australian Public Service, working with high profile stakeholders. The Commercial Law team, which includes a property function, provides a broad range of legal services to the department (including to support the delivery of major projects such as Western Sydney Airport and Moorebank Intermodal Terminal). As one of our team leaders, you will be responsible for providing general commercial and real property advice on a broad range of matters relating to: major projects, including air, road and rail; support for the administration of offshore non-self-governing Australian territories; broader corporate and procurement services for the department; communication services; and surface transport matters, including aviation, maritime and road transport. You will support the SES legal team in building and nurturing collaborative client relationships as a trusted legal adviser, and you will mentor, supervise and develop other lawyers. You will be a valued member of a high performing legal services function and your work will have real impact on the wellbeing of every Australian and the prosperity of the nation. We may establish a merit pool for future vacancies. What will you do? Operating under broad direction and with a high degree of autonomy, your key responsibilities as a member of the divisions leadership team will include: leading and building the departments general commercial and property legal functions; overseeing, and providing proactive, strategic and solutions-focused advice on complex commercial and property transactions (including a range of procurements, grants, contracts and agreements, intellectual property, leases, licences, covenants and acquisition and disposal arrangements) to enable the department to effectively assess legal risks and make sound decisions; supervising and developing junior lawyers as well as second counselling the advice they prepare; fostering productive and collaborative working relationships with clients and colleagues across the department; continually monitoring and managing the teams competing work requirements having regard to the departments broader strategic priorities; developing and maintaining the departments commercial law and real property related precedents; overseeing the efficient and value for money delivery of legal services to the department by external providers in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and other requirements; contributing to building skills and capacity at the divisional and organisational level, including by delivering training to the department on general commercial and property legal issues from time to time; representing the department at inter-agency and other external forums; actively contributing to the divisions positive work environment and culture; and seeking input and guidance from, and keeping the General Counsel Commercial and Privacy and Chief Counsel informed, as appropriate. We actively support flexible work arrangements, including home-based work for 2 days a week, upon discussion with the General Counsel, Commercial & Privacy. Who are we looking for? The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 2Work level standards . Our ideal candidate will have: Both general commercial and real property legal practice experience (with significant depth and breadth in at least one of these areas) and highly developed legal skills gained in a law firm, in-house environment or government and commercial acumen, including; experience in advising on, drafting, reviewing and/or negotiating a range of commercial law and property arrangements; strong problem-solving skills and the ability to provide timely, strategic and technically excellent legal advice that enables the department to assess risk and make sound decisions about general commercial and property related matters. demonstrated initiative and the ability to proactively drive outcomes to lead and build the departments general commercial and real property legal capabilities; the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in plain English, both verbally and in writing; substantial experience in, and enthusiasm for, effectively developing themselves and the lawyers they supervise, including the willingness to take responsibility for their own work as well as the work of those they supervise; excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to develop strong working relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders at all levels; a detailed appreciation (or ability to quickly acquire such an appreciation) of the policy and legislative/regulatory framework relevant to commercial dealings (e.g. probity/procurement, contracting, management of Commonwealth financial resources) and real property transactions (e.g. leases, licence, Crown lands and other acquisitions and disposals) undertaken by the Commonwealth; the ability to work independently, and with a geographically dispersed team, and triage, manage and prioritise work in a high-volume and fast-paced environment that will (at times) involve urgent deadlines; and While not a mandatory requirement, given the leadership and legal expertise that this role requires, we expect many suitable candidates are likely to have at least 7 years relevant post qualification experience. In addition, exposure to/experience in resolving commercial and/or property disputes, including using alternate dispute resolution, and in the development and implementation of strategic dispute resolution strategies would be favourably considered. Eligibility requirements Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including: Citizenship : candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. Health Assessment : The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the departments preferred medical provider. Security Clearance : The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at AGSVA Baseline Level.You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances.More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on theAustralian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website. Admission as a legal practitioner , however described, of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and hold, or be eligible to obtain, a practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction. Unlock job insights Salary match Number of applicants Skills match Researching careers? Find all the information and tips you need on career advice. J-18808-Ljbffr