Legal Counsel

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs

Parkville location, with flexible, hybrid working

$115,000 - $125,000 + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

About the role The role of Legal Counsel will assist General Counsel and provide professional legal services and advice to Peter Mac.

The role is responsible for advising on legal matters to support all areas of Peter Mac, including commercial contracts (including research contracts), research-related matters, medico-legal matters and health law matters (including privacy and freedom of information).

The incumbent will be an experienced lawyer with 2-4 years’ experience working in-house or at a law firm, and hold demonstrable commercial contracting experience and an ability to provide legal advice efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

About you The successful applicant will be a qualified legal practioner (admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and holding a current unrestricted practising certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board) with at least 2-4 years’ experience as a lawyer working in-house or at a medium-to-large law firm, with demonstrable commercial contracting experience and a proven ability to provide ad hoc advice on a wide array of legal matters.

You’ll bring with you:

Demonstrated knowledge in some areas of law applicable to Peter Mac and a keen willingness to consolidate expertise in these areas, such as medico-legal, research contracts and health law (including privacy and freedom of information).

Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities and diverse stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment without compromising attention to detail and accuracy.

Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative, including with respect to improving operational processes and organisational policies and procedures.

Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate contracts, partnerships and relationships.

A knowledge or keen willingness to develop expertise in intellectual property, research-related matters, medico-legal matters and/or health law (including privacy and freedom of information).

We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay

Discounted health insurance and eye care

A comprehensive health and wellbeing program

Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists

Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces

Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities

Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & ADOs

Flexible, hybrid working practices

Inclusion and belonging Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

Contact Number: 03 8559 5080

Applications Close: 1 March 2026

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Position Summary The role of Legal Counsel will assist General Counsel and provide professional legal services and advice to Peter Mac.

The role is responsible for advising on legal matters to support all areas of Peter Mac, including commercial contracts (including research contracts), research-related matters, medico-legal matters and health law matters (including privacy and freedom of information).

The incumbent will be an experienced lawyer with 2-4 years’ experience working in-house or at a law firm, and hold demonstrable commercial contracting experience and an ability to provide legal advice efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers

Classification or Salary Range Grade 4: HS4

Category C: Position within a non-clinical setting.

Key Relationships Internal

Peter Mac Executive

Peter Mac Research Executive

Peter Mac Research Associate Directors

Peter Mac Health Information Services

Peter Mac Clinical Staff (including related operations departments)

Peter Mac Commercialisation and Innovation

Peter Mac Procurement

Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU)

Peter Mac Information Management and Communication Technology

External

Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance

Cell Therapies Pty Ltd

Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

External research organisations and funding bodies (including universities)

Hospitals (including Parkville Precinct hospital lawyers)

Government Departments

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies

External suppliers and service providers

External lawyers and law firms

Education Skills

Qualified legal practitioner – admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and holding a current unrestricted practising certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board.

At least 2-4 years’ experience as a lawyer working in-house or at a medium-to-large law firm, with demonstrable commercial contracting experience and a proven ability to provide ad hoc advice on a wide array of legal matters.

Demonstrated knowledge in some areas of law applicable to Peter Mac and a keen willingness to consolidate expertise in these areas, such as medico-legal, research contracts and health law (including privacy and freedom of information).

Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities and diverse stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment without compromising attention to detail and accuracy.

Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative, including with respect to improving operational processes and organisational policies and procedures.

Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate contracts, partnerships and relationships.

Demonstrable knowledge or keen willingness to develop expertise in intellectual property, research-related matters, medico-legal matters and/or health law (including privacy and freedom of information).

An understanding of the key legislation, regulatory requirements and contracting modalities for research conducted in Australia.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations Key Accountabilities Key Accountabilities Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Responsibilities

Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies for the provision of legal advice at Peter Mac.

Develop and maintain relationships with key Peter Mac and third-party stakeholders including research sponsors, contract research organisations, universities, regulatory authorities and commercial partners.

Assist the General Counsel to develop innovative ways to enhance the efficiency of the Legal Office.

Operational Responsibilities

Provide advice and support to General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel as required.

Provide clear, comprehensive, practical and timely legal advice to Peter Mac stakeholders.

Draft, review, negotiate and advise on a variety of commercial contracts, including in relation to research (e.g., collaboration agreements, services agreements, material/data transfer agreements), clinical trials (e.g., site agreements), intellectual property and procurement (including information technology).

Advise on a variety of legal matters per...