Lead Counsel, Land Acquisition, Planning And Environment - Victorian Government Solicitor's Office

About this role

• Senior legal role with strong client focus and strategic management capability
• Unique opportunity to provide legal advice at the heart of government
• Diverse, challenging and fulfilling work on matters of public interest
• Fixed-Term - 18 months | Full time
• VPS 7 $177,455 - $241,387 p.a. + superannuation

About the VGSOThe Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) serves the rule of law exclusively for the State. The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.About the branch and the teamThe Public Law & Planning (PuLP) Branch understands Victorian public law in a way that is unrivalled by its competitors. The branch consists of three legal teams, including the Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment team whose practice spans advice and litigation. The team's advisory work includes advice on the application, interpretation and development of legislation and other instruments. Its litigation focusses primarily on judicial and merits review of decision making.This work is done principally in the following areas of law:

• Planning and built heritage;
• Environment and climate change;
• Land acquisition and compensation;
• Major projects, project powers and project delivery;
• Aboriginal cultural heritage;
• Forestry, water and other resources; and
• Emergency management.

About the roleVGSO is currently seeking a senior and highly experience legal practitioner to join us as Lead Counsel on a 18 month fixed-term basis as a parental leave cover. This role will focus on leading teams and people leaders to provide highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across Government, particularly in Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment law. You will be part of a leadership team with deep experience in public law, but what you will bring is your capacity to lead the delivery of legal services in response to the diverse challenges of government practice.Reporting to the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor, this role will provide strategic leadership to the Land, Planning and Environment Team, the Branch and the VGSO more broadly, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice to Government, in alignment with the VGSO's Strategic Plan, relevant Branch Business Plans and the VGSO values. Your management of the team is supported by two Managing Principal Solicitors.In addition, there is a key emphasis on leading client strategy and managing people and financial metrics, with a focus on:

• Client Relationship Management (CRM) deliverables;
• leadership and mentorship;
• change management approaches;
• process improvement; and
• organisational culture.

Key responsibilities

• Provide highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across government, particularly in Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment law;
• Provide strategic leadership to team and people leaders, the branch and the VGSO more broadly, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice to Government, in alignment with the VGSO's Strategic Plan, relevant branch business plans and the VGSO values; and
• Proactively advance the VGSO's client strategies, practice areas and client relationships in order to further develop positive existing client relationships and establish new business opportunities.

About the successful applicantYou are regarded as an expert; a senior and highly experienced legal practitioner with a strong understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector.You are flexible and are adept at delivering legal services in a manner which is fit for purpose, whether that is providing robust written advice for a legal audience or explaining a litigation strategy to a ministerial one.You understand the importance of having the right people, management and processes in place and are experienced in leading and developing high performing teams including the leaders of those teams. You can lead teams and manage projects, whether their timelines are short or longer term. You rise to a challenge, but you bring others along with you.As such, you will have the capacity to contribute strategic insight and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience and have the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships in order to grow the VGSO and its practice areas.BenefitsVGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance. We currently work in a hybrid environment with employees enjoying a balance of working from home and in the officeHow to applyIf this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now! Applications must include a cover letter and resume that outlines your experience relevant to this role.Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant experience in their cover letter.To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Kate Miller, Talent Acquisition Advisor, on 0408 353 909 or vgso.recuritment@vgso.vic.gov.auApplications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 22 May 2024Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.