1. Unique opportunity to provide legal advice at the heart of government
2. Diverse, challenging and fulfilling work on matters of public interest
3. Hybrid working from home/office environment
4. Ongoing | Full-time or Part-time (minimum 4 days/week)
5. VPS $151,260 - $178,138 + superannuation
About the VGSO
The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) vision is to be the Victorian Government's trusted legal partner.
The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.
About the branch
The Public Law & Planning Branch understands Victorian public law in a way that is unrivalled by its competitors. The branch consists of three legal teams, including the Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment team whose practice spans advice and litigation. The advice the team provides includes advice on the application, interpretation and development of legislation and other instruments, principally in the team's subject areas. Its litigation focusses primarily on judicial and merits review of decision making in its subject areas, and contested land compensation and valuation matters.
The team's subject areas include:
6. Planning and built heritage;
7. Environment and climate change;
8. Land acquisition and compensation;
9. Major projects, project powers and project delivery;
10. Aboriginal cultural heritage;
11. Forestry, water and other resources; and
12. Emergency management.
About the role
We are currently seeking a senior and highly experienced legal practitioner to join us as a Managing Principal Solicitor. The role will focus on leading a team to provide highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across Government, particularly in land acquisition, planning and environment law. You will bring your capacity to lead people and the delivery of legal services in response to the diverse challenges of government practice.
Reporting to the Lead Counsel, this role will assist in providing strategic leadership to the Land, Planning and Environment Team and contributing to the Branch and the VGSO more broadly, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice to Government, in alignment with the VGSO's Strategic Plan, relevant Branch Business Plans and the VGSO values.
Key responsibilities
13. Provide highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across government, particularly in land acquisition, planning and environment law;
14. Provide strategic leadership to a team while contributing to the branch and the VGSO more broadly, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice to Government, in alignment with the VGSO's Strategic Plan, relevant branch business plans and the VGSO values; and
15. Proactively advance the VGSO's client strategies, practice areas and client relationships in order to further develop positive existing client relationships and establish new business opportunities.
About the successful applicant
You are regarded as a senior and highly experienced legal practitioner with a strong understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector.
You are extremely flexible: you are adept at delivering legal services in a manner which is fit for purpose, whether that is providing robust written advice for a legal audience or explaining a litigation strategy to a ministerial one. You can lead a team and manage projects simultaneously, whether the timelines are short or longer term. You rise to a challenge, but you bring others along with you.
You understand the importance of having the right people, management and processes in place. You are experienced in leading and developing high performing teams.
As such, you will have the capacity to contribute strategic insight and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience and have the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships in order to grow the VGSO and its practice areas.
Benefits
VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.
VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance. We currently work in a hybrid environment with employees enjoying a balance of working from home and in the office
How to apply
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now! Applications must include a cover letter and resume that outlines your experience relevant to this role. Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant experience in their cover letter.
Applications close at 11:59pm on Thursday, 7 September 2023.
Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.