LEGAL COUNSEL

About us

Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Limited (EREA VSL) is responsible for the governance of six Victorian schools, and their associated campuses that enrol over 10,000 students.

EREA VSL is guided by the EREA Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition. The Charter articulates the vision, mission, and objectives for schools.

Through the Charter Touchstones, schools strive to transform the hearts and minds of children and young people to build a more just and inclusive local and global community through presence, compassion, liberation and a commitment to justice and solidarity.

In all we do, EREA VSL operates with clarity, accountability and transparency.

The Role

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced legal counsel to support the delivery of strategic objectives and ensure robust governance across our network of Victorian Schools. This role is pivotal in actively managing legal risk, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and providing expert advice on a diverse range of legal matters.

Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board and school principals, the Legal Counsel will provide timely legal guidance on governance, employment, commercial and education law. The role is central to safeguarding the organisation’s integrity and supporting operational leaders in navigating complex workplace matters.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to the effective governance of the Victorian Schools in an educational environment.

What We Offer

• A supportive, values-driven team and inclusive workplace culture

• Ongoing professional development opportunities

• Hybrid working arrangement (office and work from home)

You will be employed on a full-time, fixed-term basis, for a period of 2 years.

The remuneration for the role is within the range of $170,000 to $180,000 (negotiable), plus leave loading and superannuation, depending on skills, education and experience.

You will need

· Tertiary Qualifications in Law (LLB or JD)

· Minimum of 5 years post admission experience as a practicing lawyer, or equivalent experience practising in a significant number of the areas identified in the Position Description.

· Excellent interpersonal and time management skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a team environment and operate with a high degree of professional ethics, integrity, confidentiality and diplomacy.

· Effective problem solving, analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to manage multiple legal matters simultaneously and adapt to changing organsiational priorities.

· Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check and provide a National Police Check certificate (issued within the last six months) or Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are encouraged to apply, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity.

To Apply

Please visit our website to learn more about our organisation at erea.vic.edu.au.

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

Applications must be submitted to [email protected] by 11.59pm on Sunday 24 August 2025 including:

• Letter of introduction (one page)

• Responses to each Key Selection Criteria listed in the position description (maximum 2 pages in total)

• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining experience and skills with the contact details for two referees (one referee from current or most recent place of employment. If this is a school it needs to be the Principal).

• Successful candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police History check, obtain a Working with Children Check and provide evidence of Australian Citizenship or Visa.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for anyone who wishes to apply.

If you would like further information about this role, please contact Jeff Burn, Interim CEO, at [email protected].

We will be reviewing applications as they are received. Should we find a suitable applicant we will close the role early; therefore, please don't delay your application.

EREA VSL is a child safe and child-centred organisation, committed to the protection of children and young people from harm. EREA VSL has no tolerance of abuse. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment in accordance with legislative and EREA VSL policies and procedures.