About the company & role:

This organisation specialises in civil construction and infrastructure development; they are a multi-disciplinary civil contractor delivering civil infrastructure, urban development, landscaping, sport field construction, road profiling and more. What makes them unique is their vision for the future. They’re growing rapidly and have a strong reputation for fostering collaboration and innovation across teams and industry alike. This is more than building infrastructure—it’s about setting industry benchmarks and leading from the front.

The General Counsel / Group Commercial Manager will serve as the primary legal adviser to the organisation and leading the groups’ commercial function, ensuring that all business activities comply with applicable laws and regulations while minimising risk and providing strategic guidance. The role encompasses leadership in legal, compliance, governance, and risk management, acting as a trusted adviser to the executive leadership team and the Board.

You’d be part of a leading and dynamic organisation; a growing company that values innovation and collaboration, one who is inspired by people and fuelled by a commitment to build an environment where everyone can thrive.

Key duties:

Legal Advisory and Compliance

• Provide expert legal advice to the CEO, Directors, executive and senior leadership teams on all matters, including contracts, disputes, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate high-value and complex contracts, ensuring they align with the company's strategic objectives and risk appetite.
• Ensure compliance with Australian corporate laws, employment regulations, and other applicable legal frameworks.
• Manage litigation and disputes, working closely with external legal counsel as needed. Ensure the business has the right commercial frameworks in place to effectively manage project works.

Governance

• Oversee corporate governance activities, ensuring adherence to company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support the Directors in fulfilling their legal and fiduciary obligations, including preparing board materials and advising on governance practices.
• Ensure our client maintains a robust and effective governance framework to support its growth and operations.

Risk Management

• Lead the development and implementation of risk management strategies, processes, and policies.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal and compliance risks across all areas of the business.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to establish a culture of risk awareness and proactive compliance management.

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to strategic planning processes, providing legal insights to drive business growth and mitigate risks.
• Partner with the appropriate business leaders to evaluate and execute mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, or other corporate transactions.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage the commercial team.
• Act as a key point of communication between legal functions and other business units, fostering collaboration and shared accountability.
• Oversee relationships with external legal firms to ensure efficient use of resources and cost-effectiveness.

About you:

As an executive member of the team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the business’ legal and strategic direction.

Essential

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and admission to practice law in Australia.
• Minimum of 10 years of post-admission legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior in-house counsel or legal leadership role.
• Strong background in corporate, commercial, and contract law, with experience managing complex transactions.
• Proven track record in governance and risk management, including experience advising Boards and senior executives.

Desirable

• Experience in the construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure sectors.
• Familiarity with regulatory environments affecting the construction industry.
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, or similar transactions.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional legal judgement and ability to provide practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• High degree of integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you - please apply now.