Senior Legal Counsel - Planning, Environment and Regulatory

About the role

A major national infrastructure business is recruiting a Senior Legal Counsel for its Sydney office, through Beacon Legal. The role suits a specialist planning, environment and regulatory lawyer with 6+ years' experience who wants a broad advisory position supporting significant infrastructure projects and operations. You will advise on complex approvals, environmental obligations and regulatory issues, working directly with project teams, senior stakeholders, government agencies and regulators, from project development through to operational compliance, investigations and disputes.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on planning and environmental approvals, biodiversity requirements, remediation obligations and regulatory compliance across major projects and existing operations.
• Support regulatory investigations and incident responses, including statutory notices, reportable incidents, enforcement matters and correspondence with environmental, safety and transport regulators.
• Guide the business through legislative and policy developments, identifying emerging risks and turning complex requirements into practical advice.
• Manage information access and disclosure requests, including GIPA, freedom of information, subpoenas and compulsory notices, while protecting privilege, confidentiality and commercial interests.
• Develop strategies for disputes, litigation and mediations, manage external counsel and pursue timely, commercially appropriate resolutions.
• Draft and review legal documents, support negotiations and contribute to complex projects alongside technical and commercial stakeholders.

Required profile

• Admitted to practise in Australia, with a current practising certificate or eligibility to obtain one.
• 6+ years' experience, with relevant expertise in planning, environment, biodiversity and/or regulatory law gained in private practice, in-house or government.
• Strong experience advising on regulatory compliance, regulator engagement, investigations or enforcement matters.
• Exposure to infrastructure, transport, construction or engineering is valuable, as is experience managing contentious matters and information access requests, though neither is essential.

Required skills

• Sound commercial judgement and the ability to turn technical legal issues into clear, practical recommendations.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to manage sensitive matters autonomously.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to balance competing priorities within a busy legal team.

The employer describes a flexible role with a competitive salary package and a supportive, high-performing legal team. Interested candidates can apply through the recruiter's contact form or by contacting the recruiter named in the advert.