The Garvan Legal Office is part of the Professional Services Team led by the Chief Operating Officer. It collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure that Garvan's research, corporate, and commercial activities align with its mission, providing pragmatic legal advice, managing risks responsibly, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and policies. The Legal Office also supports the Garvan Research Foundation (GRF) and Australian BioResources (ABR).
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Senior Lawyer:
* Takes a lead role in negotiating, reviewing, and managing agreements related to Garvan's research activities and intellectual property.
* Helps ensure staff compliance with relevant laws and policies, staying updated on legal developments, interpreting laws, and developing policies to maximize compliance.
* Provides legal advice on a range of corporate and commercial legal matters.
* Collaborates with divisions such as Strategy Delivery and Operations, Grants and Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity to ensure agreements align with strategic and legal obligations.
* Works with related entities like GRF and ABR to ensure proper risk management of agreements.
Salary: Up to $160,000 + 12% super + salary packaging (dependent on experience)
Employment Type: Permanent full-time
SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS
* Generous salary packaging options to boost take-home pay
* Opportunities for ongoing training and development
* Flexible work arrangements
* 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents, including paid superannuation
* Additional leave types including cultural, conference, community service, and study leave
* Discounted health insurance
* Lifestyle discounts with community partners
WHAT YOU WILL DO
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Negotiating, preparing, and managing agreements such as Research Collaboration Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Transfer Agreements, and service contracts related to human and animal research.
* Managing agreements related to intellectual property, including ownership and protection.
* Reviewing funding and grant agreements with government and philanthropic bodies.
* Negotiating and managing contracts for commercial transactions, including services, procurement, IT, property, and employment agreements.
* Advising internal stakeholders on contract rights and liabilities.
* Supporting legal services for GRF, including sponsorship and fundraising agreements.
* Monitoring external contracts, renegotiations, and amendments.
* Ensuring legal compliance and monitoring legislative changes.
Policies, Systems, and Processes
* Developing and updating legal templates, policies, and procedures.
* Improving organizational tools and processes for efficiency.
* Preparing documentation for approvals from executives or the Board.
Staff Mentoring and Training
* Training and mentoring junior staff and interns.
* Developing internal training programs as needed.
Management & Internal Reporting
* Assisting in preparing reports and advice for the Board and Executive Team.
ABOUT YOU
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
* Bachelor of Laws and current practicing certificate from the Law Society of NSW, with at least 8 years PQE; experience in a medical research institute preferred.
* Understanding of intellectual property law.
* Experience in corporate law and governance.
* Strong commercial awareness, relationship-building, influencing, and negotiating skills.
* Excellent communication skills, capable of conveying complex legal concepts clearly.
* Team player with strong interpersonal skills.
* Proactive with good time management and organizational skills.
* Ability to analyze complex problems and develop solutions.
* Experience in training legal and non-legal staff.
* Previous in-house experience, especially in technology transfer or research organizations, preferred.
* Experience with big data or genomic data regulation, and advising on employment law issues in-house.
ABOUT GARVAN
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, based in Sydney, is a leading independent MRI dedicated to impactful research and collaboration to improve human health. Our vision is to be a global leader in genomic discoveries, aiming to translate research into real-world health benefits.
We promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, valuing different perspectives and skills to enhance our work.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your CV and cover letter in one document, explaining your interest and suitability for the role. Only applicants with full Australian work rights will be considered.
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