Legal Counsel

📍 Wagga Wagga, North Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra | 🧑‍⚖️ Be the trusted advisor – Provide expert legal advice to support strategic decisions across the business | 📜 Diverse legal work – Tackle a broad range of commercial, corporate, and compliance matters.

About Us: At AgriFutures Australia, our vision is to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities. We deliver research, development, and extension programs for our levied and emerging industries, addressing key challenges and important issues in Australian agriculture. Join our team and be part of a positive, future-focused group working on impactful programs.

The Role: Are you a talented lawyer with strong commercial experience seeking a friendly team and a broad range of work? This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated lawyer (3PQE+) to provide trusted legal counsel in a collaborative and strategic manner. You will own internal stakeholder relationships and deliver practical legal advice to help AgriFutures achieve its goals.

How to Apply: If you are ready to make a difference and contribute to the future of Australian rural industries, apply now! Please submit your resume and cover letter via email to [email protected] outlining your suitability for the role. Final applications must be submitted to Rachelle Auld via email and NOT via the SEEK portal. Applications sent to SEEK will NOT be considered. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and asked to complete a short writing exercise.

Key Responsibilities:

Be the primary point of contact for multiple business units, providing practical, timely legal advice and training on a wide range of commercial matters.

Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, clearly articulating legal and business risks to your stakeholders during negotiations.

Brief outside counsel for project-specific legal advice when necessary.

Build scalable, repeatable solutions such as contract templates and self-service legal guidance.

Model AgriFutures Australia values and behaviours.

About You:

Hold a current, unrestricted practising certificate and be admitted to practice in Australia.

Have 3PQE+ commercial legal experience.

Demonstrate the ability to deliver clear, accessible written and oral legal advice.

Experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts in plain English.

Strong understanding of commercial law, privacy, and intellectual property.

Proven track record of outstanding stakeholder management and engagement.

Ability to manage a high volume of work with a sense of urgency.

Desirable:

In-house or government legal experience.

Experience in tech law, competition law, IP contracting in a research science context, or employment law.

Understanding of the requirements of AgriFutures Australia as a statutory authority.

Knowledge of Australian agricultural systems and empathy with the rural environment.

Personal Attributes:

A 'can-do' attitude with a team-focused, collaborative style.

High-level strategic thinking with a growth mindset.

Attention to detail and ability to persuade, influence, and motivate.

Flexible, adaptive, and able to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Good governance practices and appropriate management of confidential and sensitive information.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a team that places people at the centre of everything we do.

Work on programs that address important issues facing Australian agriculture.

Collaborate with emerging leaders in agriculture, industry bodies, and government.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 28 May 2025