Overview
Senior Legal Counsel Jobs in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia at Housing Australia
Title: Senior Legal Counsel
Company: Housing Australia
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Are you looking for a role where your work supports the delivery of key housing policy outcomes?
- Be part of a supportive team providing diverse and challenging advice to an organisation uniquely placed to support increased housing supply
- Hybrid working and staff lifestyle benefits
About Housing Australia
As the Commonwealth's independent housing authority, we're tackling one of Australia's most pressing challenges. Established in 2018 within the Treasury portfolio, we deliver grants, loans, and innovative support programs that increase housing supply, encourage investment, and create lasting change in communities across the nation.
When you join us, you're not just building a career, you're building a better Australia.
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About the role
The Senior Legal Counsel provides critical support to Housing Australia to ensure the organisation is operating within its statutory mandate and in alignment with applicable government frameworks. The role advises all areas of the business on a broad range of subject matters relevant to their operations, with a focus on the regulatory environment of a Corporate Commonwealth Entity.
Key responsibilities
- Advising the Executive team and managers across the business on regulatory compliance obligations
- Interpreting legislation and providing pragmatic guidance to the organisation, particularly with respect to Housing Australia’s enabling legislation and investment mandate
- Advising the Executive and transaction teams on details pertaining to Housing Australia’s investment mandate and government expectations
- Working with the risk and compliance team to advise on legal aspects of regulatory compliance
- Advising the organisation on information and privacy law issues
- Engaging with stakeholders in other areas of government with respect to policy, program design and amendments and updates to legislation
- Reviewing, drafting, negotiating and monitoring commercial and operational contracts
- Advising and supporting the organisation with other operational legal matters
- Promote, role model and hold people accountable for behaviours that align to Housing Australia’s values which underpin a strong, high performing culture
- Promote and model a culture of identifying and managing risks
Skills and experience
- At least 5 years’ experience post-admission, with current practising certificate or other entitlement to practice as a lawyer
- Experience in statutory interpretation and government compliance
- Experience in Freedom of Information and Privacy matters
- Relevant experience working in a government context (preferably Commonwealth), ideally in a public law practice, and with experience on secondment or in-house considered favourably
- Ability to provide pragmatic guidance framed appropriately for implementation
- Competent contract drafting and negotiation skills
- Ability to work autonomously and make quick decisions
- Ability to prioritise and complete tasks within tight deadlines, with accuracy and high attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills, and confidence to deal effectively with senior executives
- Superior written and verbal communication skills
- Authoritative, independent thinker
- Strong commitment to ethical business practices
- A good sense of order, with the ability to multi-task, as well as prioritise and action critical and complex matters
- Tertiary qualifications in law
What We Offer
Meaningful Impact: Contribute to Australia's housing solutions while building a world-class organisational culture
Flexible Work: Balanced hybrid arrangement supporting your work-life integration
Growth Opportunities: Be part of our transformation journey with opportunities to shape our people practices
Collaborative Culture: Join a mission-driven team committed to excellence and making a difference
We are open to considering lawyers with a range of skillsets and backgrounds, and we are eager to hear from you even if your experience does not encompass all of the items listed. To be considered, please submit your CV, and a cover letter as one document outlining your interest and suitability for the role.
We value diversity in our team and welcome all applications from all candidates.
This role is based in our Sydney CBD office. We offer flexible working, with the opportunity to work in the office and from home, in a supportive team environment, while making a difference in our purpose-led organisation.
As a commonwealth entity certain roles at Housing Australia require the successful candidate to obtain and maintain a security clearance as a condition of employment.
No recruitment agencies please – we will reach out if we require any agency assistance. Thank you.
