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Form of work Senior Legal Counsel & Legal Counsel opportunities
North Sydney or Brisbane based opportunities
High performing team operating within a collaborative and inclusive team environment
Provide critical advice and embed yourself within Australia’s largest private rail freight business
Option to work part time or flexibly
Pacific National is committed to diversity in our workforce and encourages women and First Nations people to apply.
About the role
Exciting opportunities have arisen in our award-winning Legal team due to internal promotion and parental leave. Reporting to the Head of Legal, we are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel for a 12 month contract (to cover parental leave) and a Legal Counsel to join the team on a permanent basis.
Working as part of a collaborative and dynamic team, these two important team members will contribute to managing the legal risk profile of Pacific National to ensure that Pacific National maintains and strengthens its competitive position. To complement this high performing team, you will be value driven professionals who provide high quality, timely and independent legal services that meet the strategic objectives of the business. You will work on a broad range of legal tasks including commercial, customer and supplier arrangements, infrastructure projects, property transactions, health safety and environment matters, disputes and claims management, compliance and regulatory matters.
The Senior Legal Counsel will act as a recognised authority and true strategic adviser to the business, providing expert legal services (including appropriate recommendations for commercial decision-making) across a broad range of legal issues affecting the business. Acting as a key member of any relevant team dealing with "crisis incidents", regulatory matters, legal disputes and proceedings, the Senior Legal Counsel will work with appropriate executives to define strategy and achieve appropriate outcomes for the business. As a senior member of the team, the Senior Legal Counsel will be instrumental in the mentoring, management and development of Legal team members.
Both individuals will be expected to proactively develop and implement appropriate systems, tools and procedures to improve contract setting, risk management and compliance, and to continuously educate Pacific National’s leaders and teams.
Delivering valued services for a large and complex business that is investing in new assets, technology, infrastructure and strategic locations, you will be supported by a manager who focusses on your wellbeing and creates the space to operate autonomously and find the kind of work that energises you. Flexibility and part time hours will be offered to the right candidate. While the Legal team is based in Sydney and Brisbane, these roles are open to applicants from Newcastle and Melbourne, in addition to Sydney and Brisbane based applicants.
Key responsibilities include:
Advising the Pacific National business on the applicable regulatory regimes, including applicable Australian rail industry specific legislation and health, safety and environmental frameworks
Working collaboratively with the other members of the Legal team and other functions to ensure Pacific National is proactively and strategically managing legal and other external risks
Advising the Pacific National business in relation to key commercial and strategic matters, including rail haulage arrangements and revenue generation and protection strategies
Advising Pacific National in relation to material procurement and infrastructure contracts
Managing legal disputes and proceedings filed against or on behalf of Pacific National
Acting as a key adviser to, and developing sustainable relationships with, management and leadership teams across Pacific National
Responsibility for assisting in the development of the intellectual capital of the Pacific National business, including training programs, precedent development and development of procedures for the efficient and effective management of legal risks and opportunities
Delivery of training on key legal topics to Pacific National business leaders and teams
Managing the engagement of external advisers, including an active role in the management of the Legal firm panel.
About You
Ideal candidates will possess the following experience, skills and attributes:
Bachelor of Laws or equivalent, and admitted to practice as a Lawyer in Australia
Legal experience, particularly with commercial contracts (customer and supplier), in private practice or in an in-house commercial environment
Any experience with researching and managing legal compliance issues will be highly regarded
Experience in using technology to make legal services more intuitive and efficient is a bonus
Independent and innovative thinker, with exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to both listen to others and to be assertive when necessary
Strong commercial focus combined with sound drafting and negotiation skills
Collaborative approach achieving success with and through others
Ability to work autonomously, whilst also being a team player and manage competing priorities
Knowledge of the rail haulage market, logistics and/or construction is preferable but not essential
Ideally candidates will have experience in property, planning and environmental law matters.
The benefits
We value diversity, inclusion, collaboration and the contribution of each of our employees. Working for us will enable you to take ownership of your career and gain access to the following benefits:
Opportunities for growth and career development
Opportunities to join our I&D employee committees
Recognise, celebrate and achieve via our Achievers program
Access to mentoring programs
Flexible working arrangements
12 weeks paid parental leave for primary carer at full pay following 12 months of service
Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
Provision of Salary Continuance Insurance
Novated leasing and discounts on selected health insurance funds, travel, gyms, retail brands, vehicles and more
We are proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for women.
About us
Pacific National (PN) is the largest provider of diversified rail freight services in Australia. We haul a variety of freight including coal, intermodal containers, steel, and a range of bulk commodities and materials that keep the region’s economy, businesses and households running. We operate nationally with approximately 3,500 staff in over 90+ sites across Australia.
Join us as we continue to transform our business and shape the rail freight industry, to achieve our vision of becoming Australia’s recognised leader for safe, innovative and sustainable rail freight solutions.
We are seeking applicants who share our values: Make it simple, Share more, Kindness, Gratitude, Curiosity, and Own it. These values help us achieve strong connections with everyone we work with, and play an important part in motivating us all to do our best work.
Closing date
Applications close on 13th April 2023.
Next steps
Are you ready to be part of our future?
To apply, please click on the 'Apply' button below and follow the prompts.
To find out more about Pacific National, our benefits and opportunities we offer, visit our careers page: www.pacificnational.com.au/careers
Home Safely Every Day – Pacific National’s top priority is getting you home to your family safely every day.
