HR/IR jobs

Senior Lawyer

Job Reference No: 21/081EA
Position Title: Senior Lawyer
Branch: Legal Branch
Location: Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Sydney
Employment Status: Full-Time or Part-Time
Employment Type: Ongoing / Non-ongoing (up to 12 months)
Classification: $112 677 to 121 603 plus 15.4% superannuation
Salary Range: Executive Level 1
Closing Date: 11.00pm (AEST) Thursday 1 July 2021
Who We Are
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is an independent statutory office established by the Fair Work Act 2009. Our role is to promote harmonious, productive and cooperative workplace relations and ensure compliance with Australian workplace laws. We are valued by the community for supporting compliant, productive and inclusive Australian workplaces and we deliver practical workplace relations advice and assistance.
The FWO Legal Branch are a busy team of professionals responsible for conducting civil penalty litigations relating to Commonwealth workplace relations laws. We work with internal stakeholders to identify and progress compliance and enforcement outcomes, including significant litigation matters. As part of this process, we advise on a wide range of workplace relations laws, instruments and emerging issues to support the business and the community. We also contribute to a range of innovative continuous improvement projects within the Agency.
The Opportunity
As a Senior Lawyer you will have the opportunity to:
• Lead the overall management of civil penalty litigations;
• Lead, directly supervise and mentor more junior lawyers to both enhance their capabilities and to achieve outcomes;
• Be responsible for fostering strong and productive relationships with internal stakeholders, including through providing legal advice relating to the FWO’s functions, investigations, compliance and enforcement activities or on cross-agency initiatives;
• Independently prepare or settle briefing material, submissions, correspondence, reports, legal documents and instruments; and
• Contribute to the leadership of the Legal Branch and where appropriate, participate in cross-agency or intra-governmental initiatives; and
• Be part of a responsive and dynamic Agency committed to innovation
Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking exceptional leaders with a can-do attitude who are agile and adaptable and who are committed to achieving fairness in Australian workplaces.
You will have 5 years of relevant post-admission experience and experience in conducting litigation and in workplace relations law.
You will be capable of providing practical legal advice on a range of complex issues in civil litigation and workplace relations, or a regulatory environment, and able to produce work autonomously with a proven track-record of achieving results within short timeframes.
You will have excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to effectively convey your opinion, position or counter-position on a matter, while developing collaborative stakeholder relationships. You will be a team player and will ideally have skills in leading, supervising and mentoring more junior lawyers.
There is a strong preference for experience in the area of workplace law/industrial relations and for candidates with a background in litigation because the role requires a Senior Lawyer to directly supervise lawyers in these areas.
You will need to hold a degree in Law from an Australian university (or overseas equivalent qualification) and admission, or eligibility for admission, to the Supreme Court in your State and the High Court of Australia. You will be required to have a practicing certificate without a supervised legal practice condition (or ability to obtain the same).
What We Offer
• A challenging, diverse and inclusive workplace and attractive remuneration package including generous employer superannuation contributions;
• The ability to practise as a lawyer in an in-house legal practice within a regulatory environment;
• Exciting and fulfilling work at the heart of government with great training, career development and networking opportunities difficult to find elsewhere;
• The opportunity to work with strong, smart, visionary and experienced leaders who encourage and support you to develop your interests and expertise.
How to Apply
If you are excited about this opportunity please describe and provide practical examples, in no more than 800 words, how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of this role and make you the best candidate for this opportunity.
Submit an online application through the current vacancies page on the FWO’s website. If you have any questions regarding this role or selection process, please contact recruitment@fwo.gov.au.
Applications close 11.00pm (AEST) Thursday 1 July 2021