About the role In this role, you will provide specialist legal expertise as a trusted advisor to the organisation, operating as a subject matter expert in property and planning law, with responsibility for leading the delivery of high-quality independent legal advice and strategies relating to: property transactions; compulsory acquisitions; leasing and licensing; the application and interpretation of the Planning & Environment Act 1993 and the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme and other relevant planning-related legislation and instruments; representation at the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal on behalf of the Responsible Authority. Work type: Permanent, full-time Classification: $140,410 plus Superannuation Key responsibilities include: Delivering timely and high quality, solutions-focused legal services across a variety of other practice areas relevant to in-house and public sector legal practice as a back-up to the Legal Services Team. Advising on legal risk and compliance requirements, including those in novel areas of law and those requiring innovative and creative solutions. Briefing external legal advisors, including specialist firms and Counsel, manage interactions between the external advisors and the organisation and monitor and manage legal budgets. Attending relevant training courses to maintain and improve specialist knowledge to meet the needs of the organisation and to satisfy the requirements of continuing legal practise. Providing leadership and guidance within the Department and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Delivering training and presentations to lawyers and members of City staff on relevant legislation and new and emerging areas of law. Contributing to the development and maintenance of legal practice management systems, including knowledge management systems, decision-making tools, processes and procedures to effectively and efficiently use our resources to deliver legal services excellence. Negotiating and positively influencing resolutions with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. About you To be successful in this role you will have substantial legal experience across a broad range of legal practice areas, with significant experience in property and planning law. Essential Experience: Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria or similar jurisdiction. Currently hold, or are eligible to hold, a valid Practicing Certificate. Have at least 6 years post-qualification legal experience. Advanced skills in the preparation of documentation and provision of advice in relation to property transactions, compulsory acquisitions, leasing and licensing and planning law would be viewed favourably. Excellent strategic thinking and analytical capability and confidence to deal with sensitive, complex, or ambiguous matters. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information in an easily understood format. Proven interpersonal skills with experience in dealing effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders within a complex organization. Have a deep understanding of relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks and the principles underpinning them. The health and safety of our people is our highest priority. It is our current policy to ask for your COVID-19 vaccination status. You have the right not to disclose your vaccination status, and successful candidates who are not vaccinated or do not want to disclose will go through a simple risk assessment process. If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now Create our future together at the City of Greater Geelong At the City of Greater Geelong, we are committed to working together for a thriving community. We do this by delivering over 130 services to our rapidly growing population and working hard to protect and improve what it is that makes Greater Geelong on Wadawurrung Country such a great place to live, work and study. We’re going through an exciting period of change that will help us serve our community better. From digital modernisation to the contemporary, sustainable office we've built in Central Geelong, now more than ever is a great time to join our team at the City of Greater Geelong. Our Community is made up of diverse people from all walks of life, and it’s important to us that our workforce represents and celebrates this strength. We encourage great people from all backgrounds to join us. We encourage authenticity, because inclusion makes us stronger. If you’re excited about working together to create a Clever and Creative Greater Geelong, and joining a workplace where all people can thrive, then hit apply – we’d love to meet you We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability. A career with us Central Geelong-based City employees are now based in our new Civic Precinct, Wurriki Nyal. Meaning ‘speak and talk together’ in local Wadawurrung language. Wurriki Nyal sets the benchmark for what a sustainable, inclusive and culturally safe workplace can be, including industry leading sustainability standards, a flexible and people-focused design, safe and inclusive spaces and public realm. We’re committed to supporting better accessibility for our customers and our people. We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you. We offer: salary sacrificing and novated lease options cultural and ceremonial leave study leave paid parental leave (16 weeks primary and six weeks secondary) and superannuation payments on all 52 weeks primary parental leave IVF, surrogate and miscarriage bereavement leave training and career development opportunities a healthy and safe environment our employee wellbeing program corporate membership rates at Swim Sport and Leisure facilities unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning Applications and Enquiries Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position. Enquiries: Vesna Allan | Chief Legal Counsel | VAllangeelongcity.vic.gov.au Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careersgeelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch. We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.