Life at the St Vincent de Paul Society

At Vinnies, we are what we do. We believe in making a difference. We are one of Queensland’s most-loved charitable organisations and are committed to leading with our values and mission at heart. We work together to build a legacy that we can be proud of, supporting those in need within our communities. Our companions are why our journey started, striving to shape a more just and compassionate society. Our employees, members and volunteers are the reason our journey continues, and why we will succeed.

What we can offer you

• Work with a purpose – not your average organisation and not your average role!
• Competitive hourly rate and excellent employment benefits under our Employee Agreement
• Salary packaging arrangements – helping you save on tax
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program – our people are our most valuable asset
• A welcoming and inclusive environment where you’ll always feel part of a team

The Role

We are looking for a strategic legal leader with a passion for governance and purpose-driven impact to join our team in the position of General Counsel & Corporate Secretary.

As the General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the legal foundation of the Society. You will oversee a broad portfolio including legal advisory and counsel, risk management, regulatory compliance, and insurance management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the in-house legal department, providing strategic legal advice to stakeholders and business units across the Society’s good works.
• Oversee governance , ensuring efficiency, compliance, and cost-effective practices.
• Design and maintain systems for enterprise regulatory compliance management.
• Support State Council and committee processes, including policy reviews and director-level training.
• Provide legal, secretarial, and governance support to the CEO and State Council.
• Ensure all governance and risk activities comply with legislation.
• Promote compliance across programs, policies, and procedures for members, volunteers and employees.
• Promote best practices in governance, legal and risk.
• Champion the Society’s mission in all operations and interactions.
• Foster a culture of safety, excellence, and continuous improvement.

This is a Permanent, Full-time position (38 hours per week) based in South Brisbane.

To be successful in the role, you will meet the following criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in law and qualified to practice law in Australia
• Minimum 10 years post-admission experience in corporate and commercial law, ideally with property and/or construction law experience also.
• Current practising certificate in QLD.
• Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy of the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland and an ability to work in accordance with policies and procedures to promote the values and mission of the Society

Ready to apply? We can’t wait to hear from you. Submit your application today via SEEK or directly on our careers page!

Having the right people in our team is important to us. Before joining our team, we’ll undertake pre-employment checks including references, a police check, and proof of qualifications/licenses.

We are committed to meaningful equity and diversity in our workforce. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged. To be eligible for this position you must have an appropriate visa to work in Australia/New Zealand.