About the Roles

Three vacancies available:

* 1 x ongoing role

* 2 x three-year fixed term roles

*Salary range: VPS 6 ($134,593 - $180,115 p.a exclusive of superannuation)

Due to team expansion and internal promotions, the DTP is seeking several Principal Lawyers. The roles will collaborate closely with the Director of Legal, Commercial and Projects, and the Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial and Projects, to provide expert legal advice on a wide range of complex matters.
The commercial matters include the State’s transport and planning-related commercial and contractual arrangements, including intellectual property, IT, professional services, construction, funding grants, and other general commercial matters. Projects include road construction, public transport infrastructure, technology development, rolling stock maintenance, procurement, and precinct development.

The Principal Lawyer will work closely with the Commercial and Projects legal team and their clients to ensure exceptional client service and provide timely, clear, and practical legal guidance. Additionally, the Principal Lawyers for the fixed term roles may be partially co-located with the Investment and Technology Group, offering a valuable opportunity for close client collaboration.

To access the Position Description, please click here.

Position Outcomes / Accountabilities

• You are a highly skilled and engaged member of your legal team, respected, and sought after for your legally excellent, clear, timely and pragmatic legal advice
• You successfully identify, and advise on how to manage, all significant legal risks in the projects that you work on
• You effectively and efficiently manage any external advisors that you engage to ensure advice and services provided are of a high standard, reflect current best practice, mitigate risk, optimise business outcomes, are consistent and reflect value for money
• You proactively establish and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and clients to support delivery of DTP’s objectives
• You present annually to your branch or the whole of DTP Legal on one or more of the matters on which you have advised
• You contribute to a positive team culture by always acting with respect and courtesy to your colleagues and clients
• You ensure that legal knowledge and other documents prepared in the course of your role are safely stored in easily accessible and searchable format
• You assist as required in the delivery of other legal advice, and perform other duties and tasks as directed.   

Key Selection Criteria - Summary

To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will excel in providing comprehensive legal advice, independently identifying client needs, and managing complex and sensitive matters while integrating legal, policy, and operational considerations. They will possess advanced skills in drafting legally complex transactional documents, adapting precedents, or creating bespoke documents to manage legal risks effectively and achieve client objectives. Their expertise in statutory interpretation will involve applying specialist knowledge to resolve complex issues using legislative and common law principles. They will demonstrate strong critical thinking skills, integrating business context to identify recurring issues and deliver effective solutions. Furthermore, they will communicate effectively by preparing and delivering logical, succinct presentations in clear and concise language, while grasping the political and organizational context to navigate pressures and cultural dynamics within their legal advisory role.

Personal Attributes

The candidate will excel in working collaboratively, fostering a culture of engagement across the organisation and with external stakeholders while addressing communication barriers. They will demonstrate strong flexibility and adaptability by innovating new approaches, adjusting strategies as needed, and confidently inspiring others to commit to successful outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to practice law in the state of Victoria.  

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience advising on complex issues relating to procurement, commercial contracts, transport contracts or projects.  
• Demonstrated in-house legal experience  
• Demonstrated experience working for or advising government, including awareness of government-specific considerations relevant to legal advice

What we offer

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable
• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork
• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements
• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture

Culture Value

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

How to Apply

Non-DTP Employees (Including VPS outside of DTP)

Create an account by clicking the ‘Apply’ button and follow the prompts. For help, click here for Quick Reference Guide.

Applications close at 11:59 PM on Monday, 16th of September 2024

Please include a resume and cover letter. All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We’re unable to consider email or manual applications.

For more information, contact Sheree Siow, Director Legal, Commercial and Projects via sheree.siow@transport.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants will need to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Your information will be treated confidentially.

If you require additional adjustments across the recruitment process or accessible formats of this ad, please contact us by phone or email.