Principal Legal Counsel

About this role

About the department The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by: • Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions • Investing in science and technology • Strengthening the resources sector. The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people. If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future. Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS. About the team The Chief Counsel and Integrity Division (CCID) supports the Department of Industry, Science and Resources to achieve its objective of a productive economy lawfully and with integrity. Lawyers in CCID provide strategic, practical legal advice on high-profile, cutting-edge public policy issues including artificial intelligence, energy supply and security, science and manufacturing initiatives, space activities and technologies, and trade remedies. Work in CCID is fast paced, intellectually challenging and rewarding. The team is made up of warm, collegiate and talented legal professionals who are passionate about their role in government decision making and committed to providing high-quality legal advice in a supportive culture. The opportunity We are seeking Principal Legal Counsel (EL2), including a position to provide expertise and leadership in legislative design, development and implementation. Other Principal Legal Counsel roles are in • Corporate and commercial law , advising on and negotiating the implementation of government programs including investments, international agreements, complex procurements and grants. • Information law , representing the department in Information Commissioner reviews, advising on all aspects of information law and supporting Ministers’ officers to meet FOI obligations. • Public law , advising on policy and legislative design, administrative law and statutory interpretation. • Dispute resolution , including merits review, judicial review, commercial disputes and discretionary compensation. In all Principal Legal Counsel roles, you will lead a team and work directly to a General Counsel to play a critical role in shaping, delivering and embedding the department’s policies and programs, in collaboration with other Principal Legal Counsel. What’s in it for you? In legislative design you will work at the centre of government, shaping legislative frameworks that enable major policy and program outcomes. You will lead complex legislation from concept through to implementation, ensuring legal frameworks are effective, coherent and operationally practical. This role is ideal for a senior lawyer who thrives at the intersection of policy, legislation and delivery. In corporate and commercial law you will lead the development and negotiation of agreements to implement the department’s policies, including in respect of investments, international agreements (in collaboration with tied providers), complex procurements and grants. You will influence the design and delivery of programs to translate policy objectives into practical outcomes and manage the Commonwealth’s risk exposure. In information law you will support the responsible use of AI in government processes, lead the department’s responses to Information Commissioner reviews of Freedom of Information decisions, support for Ministers’ offices and senior executives within the department to comply with their FOI obligations, and/or Privacy Officer functions including the implementation of privacy by design principles. You will provide advice on a broad range of information law matters including FOI, privacy, public interest immunity, confidentiality, and policy design considerations for the collection, use and disclosure of information. In public law you will influence the design, development, implementation and ongoing management of the department’s policies, legislation and programs through advice on administrative law, statutory interpretation and related matters. You will support the department to build capability and systems to implement programs according to law and with integrity. In dispute resolution you will lead the department’s involvement in merits and judicial review matters and other disputes. You will have a broad practice across Administrative Review Tribunal and Federal Court matters relating to the department’s programs and general law, representation in Fair Work Commission matters, advice to support merits review bodies within the department and administration of claims under discretionary compensation schemes. Your work will involve appearances as well as engagement of external legal providers as appropriate for the complexity of matters and forum in which they are conducted. Our ideal candidate We are seeking senior lawyers with demonstrated expertise in legislative design and implementation, and in one or more other practice areas, and the ability to operate strategically at a senior level. You will bring: • Extensive experience in providing legal services aligned to one or more of the practice areas described above. • Strong understanding of legislative, common law and policy frameworks for government action. • Proven ability to translate complex policy into effective and pragmatic solutions. • Experience supporting complex projects through design, legislation and/or implementation phases. • Highly developed judgement, including the ability to identify and manage legal and delivery risks. • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior executives. • Experience leading and managing teams and building capability in others. Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way. Legislative design and implementation • Lead the design, development and amendment of primary and subordinate legislation. • Provide strategic legal advice on legislative frameworks, including administrative and regulatory considerations. • Translate policy intent into legislative solutions that are clear, workable and durable. • Guide legislation through the full lifecycle, including drafting instructions, engaging with Office of Parliamentary Counsel, exposure drafts, consultation, parliamentary processes, Bill passage and commencement. • Support implementation of legislative schemes, including developing guidance, governance frameworks and operational settings. • Identify and manage legal risks arising from legislative design and implementation. • Develop in-house capability to identify and manage legal risk, including through strategic engagement of external legal providers. All roles • Provide technical expertise and leadership in one or more practice areas. • Provide authoritative, practical and strategic legal advice on complex, high-risk and sensitive matters. • Lead and manage a team, providing technical oversight, mentoring and capability development. • Foster a strong, collaborative and high-performing culture aligned to CCID’s vision and values. • Drive continuous improvement in practices, tools and approaches across the Legal Practice. • Build strong relationships with policy and program areas, senior executives, corporate partners and external stakeholders. • Contribute to whole-of-practice planning and delivery of key priorities.