Principal Legal Advisor

• An exciting opportunity for a talented commercial lawyer to contribute to provision of high-quality legal advice and development of tailored and holistic legal services
• Fixed term until 31 December 2022 with potential for extensions
• Part-time role (22.8 hours per week) with hybrid working arrangements
• Attractive VPS 6.1 salary between $125,893 – $147,184 pro rata + 10% superannuation

About the opportunity

This is a unique and rare opportunity for a seasoned lawyer to span all areas of the business at one of the most renowned cultural institutions. You would be integral in advising our diverse and energetic internal stakeholders on complex commercial matters.

Reporting to the Governance Manager, your key accountabilities will include:

• Providing trusted legal advice including contractual (services, grants, leasing), privacy and intellectual property matters
• Revising contract templates for engagements covering sale of products, partnering, sponsoring and provision of services activities
• Undertaking timely legal research and writing high-quality advice and other documentation to support compliance and mitigate legal risks
• Managing contractual, governance and risk queries from across the organisation, providing guidance and escalating matters of significant risk
• Developing best practice legal guidance tools tailored to the operational needs of the organisation, and in line all applicable with legislative, regulatory and policy changes and other government directives

For more information about the role, please refer to the position description.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will have/be:

• Be admitted to the legal profession as an Australian Lawyer, hold a current legal Practising Certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (Vic), and have at least 5 years of post-admission practising experience
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and standards associated with the creation and application of the law, legal and procurement processes
• Knowledge of the establishment of direction, delegation of control and management of risk in Australian governments
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and standards associated with establishing a coherent suite of laws, regulations, activities and/or funding priorities relating to a particular issue impacting the community
• Experience applying Victorian government procurement practices, intellectual property, copyright law and contract management principles (highly desirable)
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• A trusted adviser with a risk mindset and ability to coach others in best practices
• A collaborative team player with good self-management skills
• A valid Working with Children Check card or ability to obtain one prior to commencement

State Library Victoria promotes a workplace that actively seeks to welcome and value the unique contributions of all people. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from cultural and linguistical diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ and people of all ages and abilities to apply.

Culture and benefits

We are committed to developing and supporting a high performing workforce and an inclusive work environment. We offer attractive rewards and benefits to employees, including:

• Competitive salary and 10% superannuation
• Career advancement opportunities across a range of disciplines including information management, conservation, preservation, digitisation, curatorship, philanthropy, communications, information technology, strategy, policy, governance, finance and procurement, human resources and more
• Transparent performance framework that allows you to approach your work with confidence in how you are tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager
• Professional development opportunities including assignment and secondment opportunities, internal and external learning opportunities and Victorian Public Sector employee networks (e.g. diversity & inclusion groups, new ways of working group, etc)
• Generous leave entitlements including 20 days of annual leave, 18 days of paid personal leave, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, purchased leave, study leave, multicultural leave, family violence leave and more
• Flexible working arrangements including changes in hours of work, patterns of work and work area
• Salary packaging including salary sacrifice arrangements
• Discount on public transport
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including discount on private health insurance, employee assistance program and annual flu vaccination

Find out more about our inclusion, diversity and access initiatives.

About us

State Library Victoria is overseen by Creative Victoria, part of the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, and reports to the Minister for Creative Industries.

It is Australia’s oldest public library. Over more than 160 years, we have collected almost 5.5 million items including books, manuscripts, serials, photographs, artworks, maps and ephemera. Each year we add more than 70,000 heritage items to the Library’s rich collection.

We strengthen communities and inspire participation with a full calendar of free exhibitions, events, talks, workshops and children’s programming every season.

Our staff are passionate, motivated, professional, welcoming and proud to work in one of Melbourne’s most prized architectural jewels and best-loved cultural icons. We treasure our rich heritage and collection, and are excited by the Library’s future as a place that inspires possibilities for all Victorians.

Find out more about our values, goals and strategy.

COVID-19 vaccination information

State Library Victoria is committed to providing and maintaining a safe work environment that is without risk to the health of its employees. This means applying all current health directions. As a result, successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or medical exemption prior to commencement.

Enquiries

For a confidential discussion, please contact Bronwen Wareing on (03) 8664 7431 or email bwareing@slv.vic.gov.au.

We want all applicants to have an equal opportunity to demonstrate that they are the best person for the job. If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People team on (03) 8664 7258 or employment@slv.vic.gov.au.

Applications close Australian Eastern Standard Time 11:59pm Monday, 13 June 2022