Legal Counsel - Environment & Propertyflexible

• Provide legal expertise to Sydney Water across a range of Environment & property matters.
• Advocate for Sydney Water to drive the best results for customers, communities and the environment.
• Parramatta and/or city location, hybrid work arrangements available.

At Sydney Water, we’re passionate about making a difference to the lives of our customers and communities. 

About us

We have a proud heritage and a progressive future, providing world class drinking water and beautiful waterways from the mountains to the sea. We see the world is changing so we are changing too. Our people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities we serve. 

About the role

Sydney is expanding rapidly and Sydney Water needs to provide the infrastructure and services necessary to meet the needs of the Greater Sydney Region. This expansion includes water and wastewater treatment plants, pipelines and reservoirs but also extensive technological and digital upgrades and innovative ways to use water and wastewater. These complex programs require exceptional people to help ensure the successful delivery of these high-profile programs.

The legal team at Sydney Water reports to the Head of Legal, Compliance and Secretariat which ensures that the legal team is involved in all the key projects and initiatives Sydney Water is pursuing.

The role requires interaction with Sydney Water’s regulators (IPART, EPA, NSW Health) and with Sydney Water’s stakeholders (DPIE, NSW Treasury, Minister for Water) from time to time, which can influence Sydney Water’s operations.

The position will advocate for Sydney Water to drive the best results for customers, communities and the environment and to implement programs and initiatives with the customer and community in mind. 

You will:

• Assist the Head of Legal, Compliance and Secretariat in providing timely and high quality legal advice to Sydney Water in all areas of law affecting Sydney Water’s business and operations.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on all types of property related contracts, leases and matters including compulsory acquisitions, property transactions, easements, agreements relating to land to protect the interests of Sydney Water.
• Advise on Sydney Water's rights and obligations under relevant legislation.
• Advise on early intervention and dispute resolution strategies in potentially complex, sensitive and litigious matters to minimise risk to Sydney Water and maximise outcomes of any dispute, action or liability.
• Develop and manage strong working relationships within Sydney Water and with external legal providers to facilitate the efficient and effective delivery of legal services to Sydney Water.
• Ensure critical legal and corporate knowledge is captured, shared and developed across the Legal unit and conveyed appropriately to relevant business units.

About you

Sydney Water actively supports and encourages work/life balance, and this role is a great opportunity for someone passionate about water, recycled water and the environment to join one of the world’s leading Water utilities. You will have the opportunity to work with an organisation which demonstrates great vision of the water industry, and to provide legal expertise to Sydney Water as it enters into a huge growth phase with a solid investment in capital infrastructure projects. 

You will have a demonstrated background in negotiating and drafting high value contracts and can comfortably and confidently take your seat at the negotiating table. You have a demonstrated ability to draft contracts which achieve the best outcome for all parties. 

You have excellent time management skills and can prioritise tasks. A born communicator, you have experience engaging with a variety of business stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

You will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Law, with an unrestricted practising certificate or eligibility for one.
• Experience in property law and/or environmental law.
• 4-6 years’ post admission experience as a lawyer.
• Proven research and analytical capacity related to complex matters, sound problem solving skills and the ability to make balanced and logical judgements.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in contract drafting and negotiating.

Closing date: Friday 29th March

Please see the position description for the role’s full accountabilities.

You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role. For more information please contact ***************@sydneywater.com.au

Sydney Water welcomes you to apply if you feel you meet the selection criteria. The successful completion of a Criminal History Check and Medical Assessment form part of the application process. Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process.

We want your perspective and ideas to help us find better ways to delight our customers, so we encourage you to apply no matter your age, sex or culture. You can be part of a committed, highly skilled team who’ll appreciate what you bring to the table. You’ll set and achieve real goals and make decisions that matter, as together we help shape the lifestyle of greater Sydney.

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. We will also use your personal information to establish a LiveHire talent profile in our Talent Community. We look at our Talent Community first when new opportunities come up when you apply for a role. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with LiveHire’s Terms, Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement – Job Application