Legal Counsel - Property

Location: Parramatta/Sydney CBD Location with work from home options.

Job type: 12-month fixed term contract. 

• Provide legal expertise to Sydney Water across a range of property matters.
• Advocate for Sydney Water to drive the best results for customers, communities, and the environment.
• Hybrid working arrangements on offer.

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Legal Counsel - Property to join the legal team within Sydney Water.

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 role involves providing timely and high-quality commercial and property legal advice to Sydney Water, focusing on property-related aspects of its operations. This includes ensuring sound legal advice, insurance, and corporate governance support to maintain effective operations.

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. 

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Head of Legal and Company 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 documentation, including contracts for sale, leases, licences, easements, positive covenants, restrictions, renewals/variations of transactional documents, and matters including compulsory acquisitions and agreements relating to land to protect the interests of Sydney Water.
• Advise on Sydney Water's rights and obligations under relevant legislation including the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW)
• Advise on early intervention and dispute resolution strategies in potentially complex, sensitive and litigious property related 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.

Experience and Qualifications:

• 4-6 years’ experience within property law and commercial law.
• 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.
• Experience working with compulsory acquisitions.
• Planning and Native Title experience is highly desirable. 

Essential Requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in law, with unrestricted practising certificate (or eligibility to hold an unrestricted, practicing certificate)

Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check.

You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role.

 Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond the workplace. Here's how we support you:

• Flexible & Hybrid working options.
• Childcare allowances.
• Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Novated lease opportunities.
• Fitness Passport providing access to numerous gyms and pools across NSW.
• Flu vaccinations and discounted health insurance memberships.

Closing Date: Friday 28th June 2024 at 11.59PM AEST.

Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. Please contact ***************@sydneywater.com.au for any further information.

Working at Sydney Water

At Sydney Water, we are passionate about making a difference to the lives of our customers and communities. We have a proud heritage and progressive future providing world class drinking water and services that are vital to our customers’ quality of life and safeguarding Sydney’s future. We see the world is changing, so we are changing too.

Our vision is to create better lives through world-class services, and we believe that starts with our people. Our people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities we serve. Our diverse skills, mindsets and backgrounds work together on exciting and challenging projects that make a difference and help ensure Sydney remains one of the most iconic and liveable cities in the world.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.

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

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