AddressSydney Airport is Australia's premier international gateway and a leader in airport management, innovation, and sustainability. As a key driver of economic growth in New South Wales, we are committed to providing world-class facilities and services to our passengers, airlines, and the broader community.
About the role
We are currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Legal Counsel to join our dynamic, high performing in-house legal team at Sydney Airport.
In this role, you will provide commercially focused legal services, relating primarily to property law. You will have the opportunity to work on interesting, complex and varied work, including high value and complex retail and commercial property transactions, and be a key member of a high performing, respected and valued legal team. You will also advise on environment matters.
Reporting to the Head of Legal Services, the successful applicant will work relatively autonomously with all levels of the business to ensure the most beneficial outcome for Sydney Airport.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide high quality and efficiently delivered legal services in respect of retail and commercial property, development, and environment legal matters, including providing advice, negotiating, and drafting occupancy agreements and correspondence, litigation management, and government submissions.
- Proactively anticipate legal risks related to Sydney Airport's activities and inform key internal stakeholders.
- Prepare submissions to government on regulatory matters.
- Negotiate with third parties and their lawyers.
- Stay updated on legislative and regulatory changes and provide training to staff.
- Review Board and Board committee papers.
- Maintain and update legal templates.
- Monitor and contribute to the development of corporate policies and initiatives.
- Brief external legal advisors as needed, managing their services efficiently and cost-effectively to ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services.
- Monitor and manage external legal costs.
- Perform other duties as assigned by your manager.
What you’ll bring:
- Minimum 5 years post-admission legal experience in a top-tier or mid-tier law firm specialising in property law and/or experience in a similar in-house role.
- Law degree and current practicing certificate.
- Commercial acumen with the ability to appropriately balance commercial and operations imperatives with legal risk.
- Demonstrated ability to act in high value and complex property transactions.
- Exceptional written, drafting and negotiation skills.
- Ability to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to manage tight timeframes, competing priorities and pressure.
- Proactive, able to drive property projects.
- Preference for in-house experience (as employee or secondee).
About us
At Sydney Airport, our vision is to deliver a world-class airport experience and foster the growth of aviation for the benefit of Sydney, NSW, and Australia. We are Australia’s busiest airport and one of the country’s most important pieces of infrastructure.
Our purpose is to ‘Make Sydney Proud Everyday’. We deliver this by attracting and enabling highly engaged team members who can contribute to our purpose and values. Our people are part of a diverse and inclusive workforce who contribute to the successful operation of Australia’s main gateway.
A career with SYD and as part of our ongoing commitment to being an employer of choice, we offer a range of benefits to all employees, Employee benefits (sydneyairport.com.au).
- Additional leave benefits such as Wellbeing days and Purchased Annual Leave
- Health and Wellbeing benefits
- Discounts with a wide variety of retailers
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Employee recognition programs
- Flexible work practices
- Onsite free car parking
SYD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including Indigenous Australians, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. You must hold Australian working rights as this position is not supported by a visa sponsorship program.
