Legal Services
Full-time, fixed-term position for up to 13 months
Base salary will be in the range $105,338 - $118,280 + 17% Superannuation
Based at St Lucia
As Legal Counsel you will be responsible for providing legal and strategic advice on a broad range of disputes and contentious matters, including student and staff grievances, general employment issues and assisting with managing the conduct of litigation on behalf of UQ. The position also provides legal advice on a wide range of other legal issues affecting UQ, including contract and commercial matters.
You will work with and under the direction of the Director and other senior lawyers in Legal Services. You will also assist the General Counsel in managing the interests of UQ and be part of a busy, hardworking, and collaborative legal team.
Working in an in-house environment, you will be flexible and available to work across all streams of legal work (depending on client demands, expertise and priorities as directed by the Director and General Counsel). You will be also undertaking a range of work, from the complex to the less complex.
The position reports to the Director, Legal Services, and the General Counsel.
Key responsibilities will include:
Provides timely, high-quality legal advice to the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, executive managers, and other key stakeholders regarding wide range of legal matters
Provides legal advice on disputes and contentious matters, including developing strategies to proactively diffuse or seek early resolution of matters.
Assists with the conduct of sensitive litigation on behalf of UQ, as required
Provides legal advice (including as to procedural fairness) on student and staff grievance and misconduct processes
Provides legal advice on a wide range of employment-related legal issues, including claims involving allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment, workplace investigations and workplace health and safety
Drafts, negotiates, and provides advice on a broad range of commercial agreements
Assists with developing and maintaining legal resources and precedent material
Actively contributes to and supports the development and implementation of improved business efficiencies through continuous improvement, innovation, and initiatives in delivery of the legal function
Actively contributes to identifying and managing current and emerging legal issues, priorities, and risks for UQ
Assists with managing the provision of legal services outsourced to external legal providers (private law firms and counsel) to ensure value for money, quality and timeliness of work produced
The successful applicant must be admitted as a Solicitor or Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland, with demonstrated relevant expertise and experience (for example, a minimum of 4-5 years post admission experience is preferred).
Essential
Significant experience in a number of the following:
commercial litigation and sound working knowledge of court processes in the Federal and Queensland courts;
advising on strategy to resolve commercial and other disputes, including through the use of alternative dispute resolution methods as well as litigation.
both contentious and advisory aspects of employment law including unfair dismissal, employment contracts and termination of employment.
advising on claims involving allegations of discrimination, bullying and sexual misconduct including relevant court and tribunal processes & dispute resolution strategies.
Administrative law and decision making (with experience acting for a statutory body or government entity preferred).
Providing advice on and drafting agreements to support a broad range of commercial arrangements.
Demonstrated ability to draft a wide variety of legal documents and to handle and resolve complex legal issues.
Achieves results – solution focused with sound judgement skills and commercial acumen.
Facilitate delivery of high quality, timely legal advice.
Ability to handle several projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
Responds in a positive and flexible manner to change and uncertainty.
Seeks guidance and advice when required.
Communicates with influence:
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills that enable you to effectively communicate and liaise with a diverse range of clients with other stakeholders.
Supports productive working relationships:
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and to contribute effectively to a team environment in order to provide quality and timely client service.
Demonstrated ability to also work effectively under the supervision and direction of senior lawyers.
You will be flexible and adaptable, prepared to work in a broad range of practice areas, and to undertake tasks at various levels of complexity (as is usual for an in- house legal practice).
Demonstrated time management and organisational skills and a meticulous attention to detail, with a proven ability to prioritise tasks to meet competing deadlines with a high degree of accuracy in the context of minimal supervision.
Supports strategic direction – Focuses strategically. Understands UQ's objectives and the links between Legal Services, UQ and whole of University agenda. Able to consider the ramifications of a wide range of issues, anticipates priorities.
Exemplifies personal drive and integrity - provides impartial and forthright advice. Remains positive and responds to pressure in a controlled manner. Maintains momentum and sustains effort despite criticism or setbacks.
Desirable
Understanding of the legislative framework that applies to UQ or experience in acting for a statutory body or government entity
The successful candidate may be required to complete background checks including, criminal history and education checks.
About The University of Queensland (UQ)
For more than a century, UQ has educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver unparalleled teaching, learning and research excellence that creates positive change globally. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:
26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
Annual salary increases in line with our enterprise agreement
17.5% annual leave loading
Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
On campus childcare options
Cheap parking (from just $5 a day)
Salary packaging options
Should you wish to apply, please attach the following documents to your application:
Cover letter addressing the ‘About You' section above
Resume
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mrs Leanne Fox, [email protected] .
For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Applications close 14 December 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-33047). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 18 December 2023.
At UQ, our strength lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion v, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments.
If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.