Senior Lawyer - Specialist Services

Role type: Full time, Continuing

Department: Legal and Risk, Chief Operating Officer Portfolio

Salary: Senior Manager 1, including 17% superannuation

• Provide high‑impact litigation and disputes advice across a leading university.
• Join a collaborative Legal and Risk team and work on intellectually varied, high‑profile matters across Chancellery and Faculties.
• Employment law specialists encouraged; experienced generalist litigators with strong disputes skills are welcome to apply.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Legal Services – Specialist Services (SPEC), the Senior Lawyer will be a senior, client‑facing member of the Legal Services team delivering high‑quality, pragmatic legal advice and representation on litigation, disputes and related administrative law matters across the University. The role involves managing multiple, complex matters (pre‑court, ADR, tribunal and court work including VCAT), advising on subpoenas and court orders, drafting and negotiating legal documents, and coordinating external counsel where appropriate.

This role has the potential to be an employment law focused role, and we are particularly interested in hearing from lawyers with such experience. However, we also encourage applications from those with broader disputes experience, as the scope of the role may be shaped to suit the right candidate.

What you will deliver:

• Provide high‑quality, solution‑focused legal advice and strategies on litigation, disputes and administrative law matters affecting the University.
• Take carriage of court and tribunal matters, manage pre‑court and ADR processes, and coordinate external counsel as required.
• Respond to subpoenas, court and tribunal orders and manage procedural requirements.
• Draft, negotiate and review legal documents and commercial agreements relevant to disputes and associated matters.
• Provide strategic, client‑centred advice that balances legal risk with the University’s objectives.
• Promote compliance and quality assurance in line with the University’s risk management framework and relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

You may be a great fit if:

You are a skilled disputes lawyer with sound commercial judgement, excellent stakeholder engagement skills and a plain English approach to communication and drafting. You are collaborative, proactive and able to manage a demanding caseload while providing strategic, client‑focused solutions. Experience in employment law will be well regarded but is not essential.

You will also have:

• A law degree and admission as a lawyer with a current Victorian practising certificate.
• A minimum of six years’ post‑admission legal experience with significant experience in disputes and litigation (including administrative law and tribunal work).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex matters concurrently and to exercise sound commercial and legal judgement.
• Proven experience drafting and negotiating a range of commercial agreements and providing strategic advice.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present clear, practical legal advice.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to advise senior executives.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you

You will join a vibrant, purpose-driven community and have access to a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support your success and wellbeing, including:

• Flexible working arrangements that support inclusion, wellbeing, and work–life balance.
• Progressive leave entitlements to help you manage personal, family, and community commitments.
• Salary packaging options and access to discounted services, including health insurance.
• A range of health, wellbeing, and professional development programmes, including a leading Employee Assistance Programme.

For more information, visit our staff benefits page.

Your new team – Legal and Risk

Legal and Risk delivers high‑quality, integrated professional services and advice to support the University’s operations and strategic goals. The SPEC legal team provides specialist legal support to key clients within Chancellery and Faculties, working collaboratively with other Legal and Risk teams and professional partners across the University to enable informed, evidence‑based decisions.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We value the diversity of our community and are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and fair workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Kim Groizard at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: “Recruitment Adjustments”).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Our Indigenous strategy, Murmuk Djerring, sets out our commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.

We warmly encourage Indigenous applicants to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au for further information and support.

Please note: This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available. A Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a satisfactory police check are required. Successful applicants will be reimbursed for the WWCC cost during onboarding.

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter outlining your interest in the role and your relevant experience

You are not required to respond to the selection criteria in the Position Description.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Fahim Farzad via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not send your application to this email address.

If you have particular questions regarding the role, please refer to the contact details listed in the Position Description.

Position Description:
JR-012439 Senior Lawyer - Specialist Services - Position Description.pdf
JR-012439 Senior Lawyer - Specialist Services - Position Description.docx

Applications close: Sunday, 3rd May 2026 at 11:55 pm, Melbourne time.