Legal Counsel (Business Infrastructure & Procurement)

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The opportunity

• Provide expert legal support, with a key focus on property, construction and procurement
• Leverage your legal expertise to be a trusted advisor at CSIRO
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful work in a flexible work environment

The Enterprise Legal team, led by the General Counsel (Enterprise) and part of the Legal Unit, provides strategic legal advice and assistance to the CSIRO Board, Executive, Research Units and Enterprise Support Services.
 
CSIRO has an opportunity for a Legal Counsel to provide high-quality legal advice in the focus areas of property, construction and procurement. You’ll support the requirements of internal clients, considering CSIRO’s regulatory compliance obligations and strategic objectives, and use your technical knowledge and experience to deliver accurate and solutions-focused legal services.
 
If you are an experienced legal professional with strong expertise in either property or construction, with adaptability to develop procurement expertise, this role could be the next step in your career. Bring your wealth of knowledge and experience to CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency. 

Your duties will include:

• Providing high-quality, pragmatic legal services in relation to a range of property, construction, and procurement matters: 
  - that is accurate, clear, timely, practical, risk and solutions-focused; and
  - which takes into account strategic priorities, applicable law and relevant CSIRO and Commonwealth policy considerations. 
• Developing an understanding of CSIRO’s strategic objectives, business operations, internal and external stakeholders, political context, and relevant industry partners. 
• Exercising initiative and influence to build relationships with key internal clients and helping to position Enterprise Legal as a “trusted advisor” in CSIRO.
• Supporting the development and implementation of improved property, infrastructure and procurement policies, probity practices, processes, guidelines, education programs and training materials. 
• Other duties as required. 

Location: Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Perth, Newcastle, or Adelaide (other locations may be considered)

Salary: AU$131k - AU$153k pa (pro-rata for part-time) plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite, Full-time (Part-time may be considered)

Reference: 99939

To be considered you will need:

• A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution (or a comparable overseas legal qualification) which is appropriate to the classification and duties of the Legal Counsel (Business and Infrastructure & Procurement) role, and also a current Australian practising certificate (or entitlement to hold an Australian practising certificate).
• A minimum of approximately 4 years of post-admission experience, in the legal practice areas of property and/or construction, either in private practice, in-house and/or government role(s). 
• Demonstrated technical legal knowledge and applied post-admission experience in one or more of the following practice areas:
  - Property:  providing legal advice and support on a broad range of property transactions, including divestments, acquisitions, leases, licences, make-good arrangements, terminations, general property management issues, variations, and management of property disputes; and/or
  - Construction: providing legal advice and support in connection with diverse construction projects, advising on construction contracts (Australian Standards and bespoke) and common construction issues, having regard to compliance with relevant legislation, government policy and organisational policies and procedures. 
• The ability to work efficiently and effectively as a trusted legal adviser and, in partnership with relevant in-business teams (including CBIS, IM&T and Strategic Procurement) to support the strategic objectives and operations of CSIRO.  

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

22nd May 2025, 11:00pm AEST