A little bit about us The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (Department) is responsible for the design and delivery of the Australian Government's infrastructure, transport, regional development, communications and arts policies and programs. The Department's work touches every Australian community and underpins our economy and society. Our focus is on connecting Australians, enriching communities, and empowering our regions. We do this by providing policy advice to government, and delivering programs, services and research for the benefit of all Australians. In the Department's Legal, FOI and Privacy Division, we provide high quality, practical, technically excellent and timely legal advice, support and services for the department and Ministers' offices, on the diverse areas covered by the portfolio. The Division has also integrated with the Department's FOI team, who are responsible for coordinating all FOI matters within the Department. The opportunity we have availableThe Legal, FOI & Privacy Division is seeking an experienced (EL1 level, 5+ years PQE), dynamic and talented real property lawyer to join our growing legal team. With strong technical legal abilities and commercial acumen, our ideal candidate will have excellent written/oral communication and interpersonal skills and a proactive/enquiring mindset to enable and deliver on the real property focused aspects of the Division's legal services. Reporting into the Principal Lawyer - Real Property (EL2), this newly created role will collaborate with other lawyers to deliver outcomes as part of a high performing legal team managing a diverse portfolio of matters that are crucial to the wellbeing of every Australian and the prosperity of the nation. This is an opportunity to advance your career and/or gain experience working in the Australia Public Service, working with high profile stakeholders. The Commercial Law team, which includes the real property function, provides a broad range of legal services to the Department (including to support the delivery of major projects such as Western Sydney Airport, the Western Sydney City Deal, Moorebank Intermodal Freight Terminal and WestConnex). Particular areas of focus for the team, include:• Major infrastructure projects, including air, road and rail;• Regional development initiatives;• Support for the administration of offshore non-self-governing Australian territories;• Communication services;• Broader corporate and procurement services for the Department; and• Surface transport matters, including aviation, maritime and road transport. We may establish a merit pool for future vacancies. What will you do?Working closely with the Principal Lawyer - Real Property and the General Counsel - Commercial, you will be responsible for:• Proactively identifying legal risks and providing timely and effective legal advice/ solutions to the Department and a range of internal and external stakeholders; • Carriage of, and providing strategic and technically sound legal advice on, real property related aspects of commercial matters (including the Department's varied portfolio of major/strategic projects) to enable the Department to assess legal risks and make sounds decisions on contractual and commercial matters; • Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of real property related contracts, correspondence and project agreements (including agreements for lease, leases, licences, easements, covenants, contracts for sale);• Developing and maintaining (through periodic/ongoing review) the Department's real property related precedents;• Partnering with internal stakeholders to inform, design and deliver effective and efficient legal solutions that meet the Department's requirements;• Mentoring and guiding junior members of the Commercial Law team;• Overseeing the efficient and value for money delivery of external legal service providers who may be appointed to assist with matters from time to time; and• Contributing to organisational level continuous improvement and skills/capacity building initiatives, including by delivering internal training to the Department on real property related issues from time to time. We actively support flexible work arrangements. The preference for the role is for a full-time position, however we are flexible in terms of allowing home-based work upon discussion with the Principal Lawyer – Real Property. Who are we looking for? Essential Our ideal candidate must:• Be a person who always conducts themselves in accordance with the Department's Values;• Have 5+ years PQE relevant legal experience, gained in a law firm, in an in-house environment or in government;• Have the interpersonal skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders (of all levels) in the provision of legal advice (they are flexible, resilient and a strong team player with a positive and collaborative working style) – importantly, our ideal candidate will be adept at providing advice to senior management and executives;• Be able to work independently and with a geographically dispersed team, and be able to prioritise workload in a high-volume and fast-paced environment that will (at times) involve urgent deadlines - requiring the ability to triage, manage, and prioritise workflow; • Have excellent technical legal skills, including:o Experience in advising on, drafting, reviewing and/or negotiating a range of real property arrangements; ando The ability to provide timely, strategic and technically sound legal advice that enables the Department to assess risk and make sound decisions on real property related matters, having regard to the Department's statutory obligations as a land manager and when undertaking the procurements involving real property.• Be able to drive and own outcomes, be proactive and possess an agile mindset and strong problem solving and influencing skills – they are situationally aware, client centric and pride themselves on their ability to persuasively communicate complex legal concepts in plain English; and • Strive to continuously improve and develop (including by responding to constructive feedback), and an ability to meet the work level standards expected of an EL1 (available at: Work level standards: APS Level and Executive Level classifications | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)). Favourable While not essential, our ideal candidate may also have:• Experience in resolving real property disputes, including using alternate dispute resolution, and in the development and implementation of strategies to resolve real property disputes; • Environment and planning expertise/experience; and/or• An appreciation of the policy and legislative/regulatory framework that is relevant to real property, and dealings/transactions undertaken by the Department, such as those relating to Crown lands, probity/procurement, biosecurity, bushfire management, heritage and/or native title. What else can we offer? Working in the Legal, FOI and Privacy Division within our department gives you an opportunity to be a part of delivering high-priority outcomes for the Government. We offer a range of professional benefits and opportunities to help you build your skills, experience and networks in the Australian Public Service (APS):• An excellent opportunity to grow and diversify your career in a high-profile organisation and role;• A flexible, family friendly workplace and a diverse and supportive team environment – for example, flexible working arrangements including home-based work;• Exposure to high profile and exciting matters/pieces of work and networking opportunities across the Department and wider APS – including through access to our internal staff networks and communities of practice; • Study assistance, support for continuing legal education and vocational training (including formal training and capability development opportunities focused on your individual career goals); and• Mentoring and coaching opportunities, work-life balance and excellent conditions of service (for example, 15.4% superannuation, a typical 37.5 hour working week, additional paid leave over the Christmas shutdown period and (where eligible to do so) we may even be able to recognise periods of prior State or Commonwealth Service for long service leave purposes in accordance with the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 (Cth)).