• Legal Services Division
• This is a full-time, permanent position
• Base salary will be in the range $ 132,647 - $140,276 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 9)
• Based at our picturesque St Lucia campus

About This Opportunity

Join our team as Senior Legal Counsel (Workplace Relations and Dispute Resolutions), based within the Legal Services Division. In this role, you will be responsible for providing legal and strategic advice on general employment, discrimination and student and staff grievances at UQ. The position also provides legal advice on disputes and contentious matters arising from the broad range of activities of UQ and manages the conduct of litigation on behalf of UQ. You will also assist the General Counsel in managing the interests of UQ and be part of a busy, hardworking and collaborative legal team.

As a senior member of the Legal Services team, you will also supervise and manage the work of junior and mid - level lawyers. 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 undertake 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, but are not limited to:

• Provide quality and timely legal advice to the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and other senior management and key decision makers across UQ.
• Provide legal advice on a wide range of employment-related legal issues affecting UQ, including claims involving allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment, workplace investigations, workplace health and safety, employee mobility, employer obligations and employee entitlements.
• Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of UQ's Enterprise Agreement.
• Provide legal advice on disputes and contentious matters relating to the activities of the University, including assisting to develop strategies to proactively diffuse disputed matters or seek early resolution.
• Assist with the conduct of sensitive litigation on behalf of UQ, as required, in particular in relation to employment law matters.
• Drafting correspondence to, and negotiating with, lawyers acting for parties engaged in disputes and contentious matters with UQ.
• Correspond with and proactively seek contribution from UQ's insurer in relation to disputes being advised on or managed.
• Provide legal advice (including as to procedural fairness) on student and staff grievance and misconduct processes and associated regulatory and policy requirements with a focus on developing strategies to diffuse matters to seek early resolution.
• Provide legal advice in relation to the development and implementation of policies and procedures, and in relation to legislative programs, as required.
• Supervise the work of junior and mid-level lawyers, as required.

For a full copy of the position description, please contact [email protected]

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

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:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options
• 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
• UQ Study for Staff
• On campus childcare options
• Affordable parking (from just $6.15 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

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 7 years post admission experience is preferred). Additionally, you will demonstrate:

• both contentious and advisory aspects of employment law including unfair dismissal, employment contracts, termination of employment and enterprise bargaining;
• advising on claims involving allegations of discrimination, bullying and sexual misconduct including relevant court and tribunal processes & dispute resolution strategies;
• commercial litigation and a sound working knowledge of court processes in the Federal and Queensland courts;
• Administrative law and decision making (with experience acting for a statutory body or government entity preferred); and
• advising on strategy to resolve commercial and other disputes, including through the use of alternative dispute resolution methods as well as litigation

• Significant experience in a number of the following:

• 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. Including, 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 and seeks guidance and advice when required.
• Communicates with influence - strong written and oral communication skills, as well as demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills that enable you to effectively communicate and liaise with a diverse range of clients with other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain positive relationships with team members, internal clients and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and to contribute effectively in a team environment in order to provide quality and timely client service.
• Strategic thinking - sees the big picture; considers the ramifications of a wide range of issues, anticipates priorities and develops long-term plans.
• 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.
• 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 a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Leanne Fox, Director Legal Services, [email protected]. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected], stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the 'About You' section
• Resume

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, 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.

Applications close Sunday, 13 April 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-50065).

Applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be interviewed prior to the job closing date. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. The University of Queensland reserves the right to close this application process early.