Senior Manager, Legal Counsel

About the role

AFCA, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, is looking for a Senior Manager, Legal Counsel to join its Legal & Privacy team in Sydney. It is a rare opportunity for a highly experienced litigation lawyer to work on complex, high-impact matters while partnering with senior leaders. The role goes beyond giving legal advice: it shapes legal strategy, manages significant litigation and dispute matters, influences organisational decisions and helps AFCA navigate an evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the management of litigation, judicial review and other legal proceedings involving AFCA.
• Provide practical, commercially minded legal advice on legal, regulatory and organisational matters.
• Partner with senior leaders to identify and manage legal and reputational risks.
• Oversee external legal providers and develop litigation strategies that deliver the best outcomes.
• Support complex complaint, jurisdictional and regulatory matters.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and advise on their potential impact.
• Prepare legal advice, submissions, reports and recommendations for executive stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and legal projects supporting AFCA's long-term objectives.
• Foster a collaborative team culture and support the development of legal capability.

Required profile

• Significant post-admission experience in a law firm, regulator, government agency or in-house legal team.
• Strong litigation and dispute resolution experience, including complex and sensitive matters.
• Clear, practical and commercially focused advice to senior stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management, excellent written and verbal communication, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

What we offer

• Hybrid working with two days a week in the offices.
• Flexible work options and thoughtful benefits.
• Additional and inclusive leave options, including flexible public holidays, gender affirmation leave, women's health leave and bonus paid time off after the year-end holiday period.
• Gold AWEI Accreditation 2025 and an accredited Family Friendly Workplace.