Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial

About the role

Sydney Airport's Government Relations, Sustainability and Legal (GSL) business unit provides end-to-end legal support, including contracting, dispute resolution and compliance advice. It is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial) to join its in-house legal team. Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Commercial, the role advises all levels of the business on commercial matters, working relatively autonomously.

Key responsibilities

• Provide commercial legal services covering contracts, privacy, IP, technology, marketing and promotions, consumer law and retail and commercial property transactions
• Anticipate legal risks and inform key internal stakeholders
• Prepare submissions and negotiate with third parties and their lawyers
• Keep up with legislative and regulatory changes and train staff
• Review Board and Board committee papers and maintain legal precedents
• Contribute to corporate policies and initiatives
• Brief and manage external legal advisors, monitoring and controlling legal costs
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager

Required profile

• Minimum five years of post-admission legal experience advising on commercial matters, including contract drafting and negotiation
• Law degree and current practicing certificate
• Experience in privacy law, IP, marketing and promotions, consumer law, technology and/or property transactions is desirable but not required
• Preference for in-house experience (as employee or secondee)

Required skills

• Commercial acumen balancing commercial and operational needs with legal risk
• Exceptional written, drafting and negotiation skills
• Ability to handle high-value, complex transactions and tight deadlines
• Strong communication and stakeholder relationship building