* Location60 Bayliss Street, Auchenflower, QLD, 4066, Australia
* Job CategoryProfessionals, Legal - In-house
Contact information
* Contact Namenim sathianathan
* Contact ***************@ucaqld.com.au
Description
The organisation:
The Uniting Church in Australia (the Church) is a large uniquely Australian Christian denomination in Australia with heritage from historical reformed evangelical denominations. In Queensland, the Uniting Church has around 250 congregations and has schools, colleges and large community services (such as UnitingCare Queensland and Wesley Mission Queensland).
The Uniting Church is multicultural, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples, calls for reconciliation across its communities and aims to use its people and property resources wisely and in the furtherance of God’s mission in the world.
Position purpose:
The Legal Officer/Senior Legal Officer role works under the general supervision of the General Counsel to provide legal advice and services to Synod Office, congregations, presbyteries and Synod’s commercial and service entities predominantly in relation to corporate and commercial matters
Key responsibilities:
Under the general supervision of the General Counsel:
* Provide legal advice and services to Synod Office, congregations and presbyteries and Synod’s commercial and service entities predominantly in relation to corporate and commercial matters including construction law, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance and property matters.
* Review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts including technology contracts, banking and finance contracts, property contracts and corporate governance agreements.
* Provide legal advice on a broad range of legal and compliance issues including under the competition law, taxation law, industrial relations law, information and data security law and other legislation applying to the Synod’s business interests – including early learning, schools and residential colleges, accommodation and conference facilities and property development.
* Provide instructions and undertake day-to-day management of a broad range of legal matters outsourced to external counsel including corporate, commercial and personal injuries litigation matters.
* Assist with legal operations projects including those designed to leverage technology and artificial intelligence, streamline and simplify legal operations and provide data insights and reporting.
* Model the values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod in day to day work including in interactions with managers, lay staff, ministry agents, clients and stakeholders.
* Work within the Code of Conduct and other policies and procedures of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and the provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety and other relevant legislation, including reporting hazards/incidents, support for injured workers and full participation in return to work plans.
* Undertake other duties as and when directed within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent.
Reporting relationship and delegations:
This position reports to the General Counsel & Chief Risk Officer (this one manager who fulfils two functions).
Selection criteria:
Qualifications:
* Tertiary qualification of Law
* Admission or entitlement to practice as a legal practitioner in the state of Queensland.
* Must hold a current Practicing Certificate.
* Higher level specialised qualifications in corporate or commercial legal fields will be highly regarded
Experience and skills:
* 5+ years’ post admission experience in corporate and commercial law.
* Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills and broad experience across a variety of commercial contracts including technology contracts, banking and finance contracts, construction contracts, property contracts, corporate restructuring agreements and corporate governance agreements.
* Ability to provide technically accurate and commercially astute legal advice across a broad range of commercial areas including competition law, taxation law, industrial relations law information and data security law and other legislation applying to Synod’s business interests
* Some personal injuries ligation experience
* Ability to quickly gain a working understanding of the Church’s complex governance structure and regulations (including Constitution, By-Laws, Regulations and policies) and provide legal advice on the application of Church law to the operations of the Synod.
* Ability to provide instructions and manage a broad range of matters outsourced to external counsel including corporate, commercial and litigation matters.
* Ability to work relatively autonomously and prioritise tasks and manage a varied workflow, including the ability to initiate, follow through and complete tasks for matters whilst keeping stakeholders aware of the status of matters.
* Experience managing matters outsourced to external counsel including corporate, commercial and litigation matters.
* Demonstrated high level interpersonal and written communication skills and the ability to liaise effectively, diplomatically and discretely at all levels within the Church, its agencies and key stakeholders within boards and committees of the Church on confidential and highly sensitive legal matters
* Demonstrated capacity to work at a high level of accuracy and maintain a high level of detail.
* Proficiency in contemporary computer software applications (Office 365), electronic content management and systems to ensure accurate records of all matters
Additional requirements:
* The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested.
* The successful applicant must have a current Bluecard or the ability to obtain one.
Additional Information
* Job TypeSynod
* Business UnitLegal Services