- Provide trusted, practical legal advice across a broad and diverse portfolio of matters
- Support good governance, sound decision making and positive community outcomes
- Lead a legal function based in Victoria’s most beautiful coastal regions
Mornington Peninsula Shire is Victoria's premier destination municipality, celebrated for its vibrant townships, thriving agriculture, world-class landscapes, iconic tourist regions, and internationally significant conservation areas within a vital Green Wedge. As the state’s fifth largest Local Government Area, the Shire delivers more than 100 essential services to a diverse and growing community of 170,000 residents. These services encompass infrastructure, community wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and cultural initiatives, all supporting prosperity and liveability across the region. Home to one of Australia’s most dynamic tourism industries, the Mornington Peninsula attracts over 8 million visitors each year, generates $9.5 billion in economic output and sustains more than 62,000 jobs, underpinning its role as a cornerstone of Victoria’s visitor economy.
Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Head of Legal will lead a team of legal professionals to identify, manage and mitigate legal risk, while supporting timely and well-informed decision making across the organisation. Working closely with the Executive, Council, internal teams, external legal providers and sector partners, you will build trusted relationships and provide balanced, nuanced and robust advice across a broad range of legal matters. This role requires someone who can operate at both a strategic and practical level, bringing a strong understanding of legal risk within a complex local government environment. You will play a key role in anticipating emerging issues, strengthening internal capability, and supporting the organisation to navigate legal, operational, workforce, community and Council considerations with confidence.
To be successful, you will be admitted to practise as a solicitor in Victoria and hold a current Certificate of Practice. You will bring broad legal experience, gained either in-house or in private practice, together with proven experience leading engaged, high-performing teams. Experience in a complex regulatory environment, such as local government, will be highly regarded. You will be a credible advisor, known for your sound judgement, political awareness and ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly and appropriately for different audiences. With a relationship-based approach, you will provide practical advice that is legally defensible, commercially considered and grounded in the broader organisational context.
To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/2ycrmts9
To apply, please click ‘apply now’ and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Alannah O’Carroll on 0426 691 205 or Vanessa Huxley on 0417 708 112.
Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.
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