"University Solicitor"

Job Description:

PRIMARY DETAIL

Join Macquarie University's Office of the General Counsel as a University Solicitor for a 12 month, full time, parental leave contract.

• Package from $178K (including superannuation)
• Full-time, 12 month parental leave contract
• Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde; Hybrid work

An exciting fixed-term opportunity to join a leading Australian university in a high-impact in-house legal role.

We are seeking an experienced and skilled University Solicitor to join our Office of General Counsel for a 12-month parental leave contract. Working closely with the General Counsel, you will deliver high-quality legal services across a diverse range of matters, supporting the University’s strategic objectives in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will:

• Play a key role in ensuring the Office of General Counsel is a proactive, highly respected strategic advisory service for complex, high-value work.
• Provide timely, accurate and practical legal advice on a wide range of issues affecting the University, including commercial, contract, property, intellectual property, IT, research, governance and dispute matters.
• Work with key stakeholders to enable high quality and consistent legal advice and support to achievement of the strategic objectives of the University.
• Lead new approaches to risk management, case management and commercial activities within the University and its controlled entities.
• Work with autonomy while enjoying the support of a highly skilled and collaborative legal team.

About You (Selection Criteria)

The ideal candidate will:

• Be admitted to practise in NSW (or qualified to practise in NSW) and at least 4 years post-admission experience as an in-house counsel or other relevant experience;
• Be highly organised with excellent management, conceptual and analytical skills and a proven ability to build strong relationships and partnerships across client business areas and with other key stakeholders;
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: administrative law, intellectual property, contract law, commercialisation of IP, litigation, corporate law, property law, health law, IT law.
• Be able to work effectively within a team and in a complex in-house legal environment.
• Display personal drive and integrity.
• Experience working with or in the higher education sector will be well regarded.

Why Macquarie?

The Office of General Counsel provides centralised legal and compliance services to Macquarie University, encompassing Legal Services, Corporate Secretariat, Archives and Records/GIPA, Compliance and Privacy, and Internal Audit. We offer a broad and stimulating legal practice where solicitors work with a high degree of independence in a supportive, professional environment.

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index, having recently earned a five-star rating in the QS World Rankings with the highest rating for employability. Take a look at the staff benefits on offer.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please apply online and attach your resume and a separate cover letter that outlines how you meet the selection criteria above.

This position requires a qualification and criminal record check

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.

Role Specific Enquiries: Melissa Barhy, University Solicitor, melissa.barhy@mq.edu.au

General Enquiries: Sarah Bate, Head of Talent Acquisition, sarah.bate@mq.edu.au

Applications Close: 15 September 2025

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close: 15/09/2025 11:59 PM