Senior Legal Counsel

Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Job Description

Make an impact at the University of Wollongong (UOW) — a purpose driven institution ranked in the top 1% of universities globally.

About the Role

This is an opportunity to join a trusted in-house legal team where your advice will help shape important decisions across the University. As Senior Legal Counsel, you will work closely with senior leaders to provide practical legal advice, manage risk, and support a wide range of strategic and operational priorities.

This is a broad and varied role, offering exposure across commercial, property, governance, regulatory, research and dispute-related matters. It is well suited to a senior lawyer who enjoys variety, building strong stakeholder relationships, and working through complex issues to find practical solutions.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic legal advice across a diverse range of matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate complex legal agreements and arrangements.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to identify legal risk and support informed decision-making.
• Lead or support significant legal matters and strategic initiatives across the University.
• Work with external legal providers where specialist advice is required.
• Mentor and support junior legal team members, contributing to capability development.
• Help drive continuous improvement through knowledge sharing, templates and smarter ways of working.

About the Team

The Legal Services team works closely with senior leaders across the University, providing practical legal advice that helps the organisation make informed decisions, manage risk, and move important work forward. With exposure to a broad mix of commercial, governance, regulatory, property and strategic matters, this is a team that works on interesting and meaningful issues every day. It is a collaborative environment where legal professionals are trusted advisors, valued for their expertise, and given the opportunity to make a real impact.

What You’ll Bring

• Significant post-admission legal experience gained within a leading law firm, in-house legal team or similarly complex environment.
• Strong experience across commercial law, property, governance, regulatory matters or broader generalist legal practice
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and legal advisory skills, with confidence managing complex matters end-to-end.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility, influence decision-making and partner effectively with senior leaders.
• A pragmatic, commercially minded approach, with the ability to balance legal risk with practical outcomes.
• Leadership capability, including experience mentoring others and contributing to a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Strong judgement, professionalism and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.

Why Join UOW

• 35-hour full-time work week, supporting greater balance and flexibility
• Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies
• Generous leave entitlements, including additional concession days over the Christmas–New Year period
• Purchased leave options to provide greater flexibility throughout the year
• Ongoing professional development and clear career progression opportunities

Role Details

• Level 10 | Attractive renumeration on offer
• Position Description
• Location: Wollongong Campus / Hybrid
• Valid Australian work rights required. Visa sponsorship is not available

How to Apply

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button at the bottom of the advertisement. You will be requested to submit a resume, and cover letter (of no more than 3 pages) summarising your skills and experience as they relate to the selection criteria found in the position description.

For further information about this position, please contact Kylie Stephens on + 61 2 4239 3936

Closing Date: Sunday 14th June, 11:55pm AEDT

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

The University of Wollongong is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity is valued, respected and celebrated. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve, removes barriers to participation, and provides equitable opportunities for staff to reach their full potential. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and those with caring or family responsibilities.

As required by federal legislation, prospective employees are required to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender based Violence or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender based Violence, during their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process. Any such declaration will be included in the University’s employment screening processes and will be treated with the strictest confidence and in compliance with all privacy legislation.

About Us

The University of Wollongong was born with a mission to transform our region: to educate and empower the people of the Illawarra. Our commitment to a better future has shaped our direction and impact since our inception.

Over the years, we have grown to be a global diverse and inclusive civic university, working to solve global challenges and promoting harmony and social cohesion. We are proud to be a globally recognised and respected university, opening doors for our students, staff and partners.