HR/IR jobs

Legal Counsel - HR

• Join us at an exciting time of building a new strategy of innovation
• Continuing role
• Competitive Salary Package

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The Legal Office provides independent legal advice and assistance across the University community, including Faculties, Divisions and related entities and represents the University in legal proceedings and in legal negotiations on behalf of the University. Human Resources (encompassing Employee Relations) provides a range of advisory services to University management and staff on employment related matters

About the role

This position is within the Legal Office and reports to the General Counsel. Operationally, this position also reports to the Head of Employee Relations, Human Resources. In addition to the General Counsel and the Legal team, this position works closely with the Senior Employee Relations Business Partners within the Employee Relations Team and the Vice-President, Human Resources.

On a day to day basis, this position liaises with Human Resources staff, senior management and academic and professional staff line management across the University. Externally, the role is expected to liaise with solicitors, banisters, tribunals, courts and regulatory agencies, and employment lawyers and practitioners from other universities as necessary.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide legal advice to the Employee Relations team, Human Resources staff and University management on workplace and employee relations related matters including disciplinary issues, termination of employment, complex staff complaints, industrial disputes, enterprise bargaining, grievance handling, managing ill and injured workers, workplace change, EEO and work, health and safety.
• Provide legal advice and support for drafting of employment contracts, workplace agreements and other employment related documents.
• Design and deliver training programs in areas such as grievance handling, EEO, disciplinary matters (including termination of employment) and the management of ill and injured employees.
• Provide strategic advice and representation in relation to staff complaints, litigious and potentially litigious matters including appearing in courts and tribunals as necessary.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have:
• Law degree and current practicing certificate and a minimum of 8 years post-qualification experience (with significant experience in an employment law practice) within a high calibre legal firm or an in-house practice in a large organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal advice in relation to complex legal issues in the areas of employee relations, industrial relations and EEO.
• Demonstrated ability in drafting high quality legal documents including employment contracts, deeds of release, legal correspondence and court documents.
• A demonstrated track record in the design and delivery of high-quality training programs on workplace issues.
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to build and maintain strong client relationships with key stakeholders and all levels of management.

You should ensure you have included a cover letter to note your suitability to this position.

Applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

For further information, contact:

Simone Donovan, Talent Acquisition Lead
E: S.Donovan@unsw.edu.au
T: (61 2) 9385 8911