CKG Search has been instructed by a leading professional services firm to appoint a General Counsel to be based in their Melbourne office.

Opportunity + Offer

Our client seeks a high-calibre legal professional to join their senior management team in a newly created role reporting directly to the CEO. As a senior in-house lawyer, you’ll deliver strategic, business-critical legal advice across a wide range of corporate and operational matters. Additionally, this opportunity offers:

A career-defining role with one of Australia’s most dynamic and forward-thinking firms.

A direct line to the CEO and active involvement in firm-wide strategy and risk governance.

Broad exposure across corporate, commercial, risk, procurement, and regulatory matters.

Influence over internal legal policy and operations in a high-trust leadership environment.

Mentorship of a small team and contribution to a values-driven, growth-focused firm culture.

Premium CBD office location in the heart of Melbourne with national travel network of offices.

Competitive remuneration and benefits (including bonus potential, gym and health discounts, and EAP).

Responsibilities

Advise the CEO and senior leaders on legal, regulatory, and commercial matters.

Lead legal risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies.

Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of commercial agreements.

Manage internal and external disputes, including pre-litigation strategy, resolution pathways, and engagement with external counsel where required.

Develop and manage internal legal policies, governance protocols, and compliance programs.

Represent the firm with external stakeholders including regulators and insurance providers.

Mentor legal staff and contribute to a culture of excellence across the business.

Drive commercially practical outcomes aligned with the firm’s strategic objectives.

Requirements

Australian legal qualification and unrestricted practising certificate.

Minimum 8 years’ PQE, ideally combining private practice and in-house exposure.

Strong front-end commercial and procurement experience.

Proven ability to advise at C-suite level and influence strategic business decisions.

Excellent drafting, risk management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Comfortable operating autonomously and managing legal functions end-to-end.

Commercial, confident, and aligned with a purpose-led, entrepreneurial environment.

This role is ideally suited to a senior commercial lawyer—either from private practice or with blended in-house and law firm experience—who thrives in high-trust, business-integrated settings. It’s a rare chance to step into the heart of a nationally renowned firm and shape legal strategy at the executive level.

For more information, please get in touch with the team at CKG Search.

♞ Job Reference: 5911

Your Point of Contact:
Phillip Hunter (Director – In-house Legal & Governance)
+61 449 727 016 • [email protected]

⚠️ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CKG Search specialises in identifying and connecting top legal and governance talent with opportunities that inspire growth and drive impact. Grounded in a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we encourage professionals from all backgrounds to reach out and explore how our team can support your career journey.

For career and market insights, to register for future roles, or to connect with us, visit ckgsearch.com or call +61 2 9258 1300.