General Counsel

Job Description

General Counsel

Salary Classification: Clerk Grade 11/12 ($134,411 – $155,445) with a total remuneration package up to $173,864 per annum

Employment Status: Temporary (up to three years), part time 3-4 days per week

Location: Sydney CBD

About the Australian Museum

Australian Museum (AM) is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people. The AM acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.

The Australian Museum (AM) operates within the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment & Trade cluster. It is the first museum in Australia, founded in 1827. The AM provides access, engagement and scientific research to increase our understanding of natural history and culture, particularly of the Australasian region. The AM holds more than 22 million objects of biological, geological and cultural collections and develops programs, exhibitions and school and community education initiatives onsite, online and offsite.

The AM mission is: To ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change.

The AM vision is: To be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.

For more information, visit the website.

The AM supports a diverse workforce and promotes applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disabilities.

About the role

The General Counsel serves as legal counsel to the AM. This roles negotiates, prepares, and reviews complex contracts and legal memoranda; identifies and analyses legal and strategic issues affecting the AM’s operations and programs; drafts policies for the AM; advises on litigation matters; advises on the development and revision of institutional polices; advises the Board of Trustees on matters related to governance; and, as necessary, analyses federal, state and local laws/regulations and policies that affect the AM’s operations, collections, exhibitions, programs, staffing, fundraising, and capital projects, The General Counsel supervises the internal legal work for the AM and also oversees the work of the AM’s outside counsel. The General Counsel reports to the COO and to the AM’s Director & CEO.

About you

We are seeking a motivated, proactive and experienced senior professional who is an excellent communicator, with broad legal knowledge, especially in commercial contract law.

Knowledge and Experience

·         Experienced legal practitioner, with relevant tertiary qualifications and/or knowledge and experience.

·         Knowledge and experience of commercial and administrative law is desirable, as is previous experience working as general counsel.

·         Knowledge and experience in order to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus Capabilities outlined in the Role Description.

The successful applicant will be subject to a national criminal records check.

More information about applying for a role in the public sector can be found on the I work for NSW page.

As part of your online application, you must upload:

1.    A one-to-two-page cover letter which outlines your suitability for the role.

2.    Resume

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer a targeted question.

1.    What’s your experience in delivering legal assistance and advice on complex and sensitive matters?

2.    How did you establish and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders to ensure compliance and enforcement is effective and reduces litigation risk?

Please click here for a Role Description

Enquiries: Heather Harris, Chief Operating Officer: [email protected]

It is a condition of employment at the Australian Museum that all employees, or prospective employees, be double vaccinated for COVID 19 or hold a valid medical exemption.

If you run into any technical difficulties with your online application, contact I Work for NSW Support at [email protected] or 1800 562 679.

The Australian Museum promotes applications from a diverse workforce. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment process to better enable you to shine, please reach out to the above contact person or note this in your application.

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment activity for ongoing or temporary roles. Candidates may be considered for similar roles that become available over the next 18 months.