Overview
About The Department Of Transport And Planning. We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians. Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria's transport, planning and land services for use by all. We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.
About The Role
The Principal Lawyer, Transport Operations plays a pivotal role within the Office of the General Counsel, delivering expert legal advice across complex commercial and operational matters impacting Victoria's transport network. This role provides clear, pragmatic and solutions-focused advice on major transport projects, operator contracts, public private partnerships, franchising, construction, property and associated commercial arrangements. You will draft and negotiate sophisticated transactional documentation, identify and mitigate legal risks, and provide high-level analysis on complex statutory and policy issues. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will build trusted partnerships that support strategic objectives while supervising and mentoring junior lawyers to ensure consistently high-quality legal services. This is a dynamic opportunity for an accomplished legal professional who thrives in complex environments and is motivated by delivering tangible outcomes across large-scale public infrastructure initiatives.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking an accomplished legal professional with demonstrated expertise in delivering high-quality, strategic legal advice across complex, sensitive and high-risk matters. You will independently analyse and apply legislation, common law and policy considerations to complex factual scenarios, providing clear, pragmatic options that balance legal and operational risk. Your advanced drafting capability will enable you to prepare and negotiate sophisticated transactional documents tailored to project and commercial requirements. With strong statutory interpretation skills and sharp critical thinking, you will resolve issues within a broader organisational context and embed sustainable solutions. You communicate with clarity and influence, understand political and organisational drivers, and provide confident supervision to ensure consistently excellent legal outcomes. You will be capable of building a strong culture of collaboration internally and externally, removing communication barriers, driving innovative approaches and adapting strategy when required.
Qualifications And Experience
Mandatory
* Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, as a lawyer in Victoria
Pre-employment checks and employment conditions
Relevant pre-employment screening and reference checks will be required. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position. Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.
How To Apply
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Application Deadline
Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. Please include both your resume and a cover letter addressing how your experience addresses each of the key selection criteria for the role. All applications must be submitted via the online portal; email or manual submissions are not accepted.
Contact for Further Information
For further information about the role, please contact Adel Mohamed, Senior Legal Counsel Transport Operations via adel.mohamed@transport.vic.gov.au
Important Information
If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us. We\'re here to support you.
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