Senior Legal Counsel - IR/ER

$168,512.00 per annum + 12% superannuation

Full time, fixed term opportunity until 16/10/2026 (parental leave)

Wadawurrung / Geelong based role or Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung / Melbourne CBD (hybrid - 3 days a week in office)

About the role Reporting into the Director, Corporate Legal, this role is responsible for the provision of high quality, client focused Industrial Relations/Employee Relations (IR/ER) legal services to the People and Culture Division. Additionally, you will provide Legal advice, project work and ad hoc people management, as required by the Director across the Corporate Legal Team.

Key accountabilities

Provide high quality, client focused, strategic, constructive and practical legal advice to People and Culture (P&C) Division and other business areas where required on IR/ER issues, including on WorkSafe’s enterprise agreement (EA), its policy and procedures and on individual matters.

Appear as an advocate or instruct external lawyers on IR/ER matters in various forums, for example, Fair Work Commission, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), the Federal Court and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Provide project management on a range of legal and business projects.

Analyse and interpret complex legislation and laws, including the various Acts, Orders and Regulations administered by WorkSafe, and their interaction and application to WorkSafe including its enterprise agreement, policies and procedures.

Effectively negotiate, influence and assist in the resolution of any IR/ER disputes and any issues relating to WorkSafe’s enterprise agreement, policies and procedures.

Provide effective legal risk management services including development and delivery of training for P&C and other business areas where required on IR/ER issues.

Prepare (or assist with the preparation of) briefing papers for the Minister, Board, Chief Executive and other managers on matters requiring their attention.

Supervise the work performed by junior lawyers and paralegals in relation to matters under the Senior Legal Counsel’s control.

Please ensure you review the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you You are an experienced lawyer who is admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria or jurisdictional interstate equivalent. Your negotiation, written and verbal communication skills are highly developed, and your strong stakeholder management skills allows you to build and maintain strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders. You have proven ability to consult on complex and sensitive issues within critical timeframes and offer constructive and practical solutions based on strategic, analytical and critical decision-making capabilities.

Additionally, you possess the following skills and experience:

Holder of a current Victorian practising certificate authorised to engage in legal practice and/or capacity upon commencement to immediately apply for and be granted within a reasonable time a Victorian practising certificate as a legal practitioner. Supervised legal practice conditions must be disclosed and agreement for manager supervision obtained before commencement. All other Victorian practising certificate conditions must be disclosed and agreed to before commencement and at any time thereafter imposed. Maintenance of a current Victorian practising certificate including legal practice within the conditions upon the practising certificate is mandatory and evidence of certification must be provided upon renewal and at any time requested.

Demonstrated experience providing legal advice which should include conduct of matters at the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Court and VCAT and conducting or assisting with internal and external investigations.

Demonstrated experience overseeing business and governance projects.

A detailed understanding of the scope of WorkSafe’s functions, objectives and of relevant legal requirements including the following legislation: Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013; Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004; Equal Opportunity Act 2010; Fair Work Act 2009; Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities Act 2006.

Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines in a dynamic, complex environment and to deal effectively and efficiently with a wide diversity of tasks.

Demonstrated capability in driving and implementing change through the development of effective strategies to manage legal and reputational risks.

Demonstrated experience in working independently as a specialist or directly managing and leading a small team.

Working with Us At WorkSafe, we aspire for every employee to feel connected, safe and valued in their team, for teams to feel valued in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be valued in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is the key to delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community and strongly encourage applications from all people, including First Nations people and people with disability, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, sexualities and genders.

What’s next? Applications close

11:00pm

on

Friday 6th March 2026.

Click the link to apply and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

Only applications submitted via the WorkSafe Careers website will be considered.

Preferred candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and/or other checks as required for the position as part of the recruitment process.

Eligibility for ongoing employment with WorkSafe Victoria requires Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.

Due to the volume of applications received, individualised feedback will only be provided to candidates who progress to interview stage.

To ensure a fair and open recruitment process, we request that you complete your written application and any online interviews without the use of AI tools. We want to understand your professional skills, experience and capabilities. We acknowledge that candidates may choose to use AI as part of background research.

For further enquiries please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist –

Rebecca McPherson

via email on rebecca_mcpherson@worksafe.vic.gov.au

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