Manager and Principal Legal Adviser

About us

The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.

DTF Legal

DTF Legal provides internal legal and advisory services to the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the DTF Secretary and board, and other DTF business units. The team advises on the full spectrum of issues faced by our stakeholders.

Our work includes providing advice on the delivery of State significant social and economic infrastructure and commercial projects (for example, the West Gate Tunnel project, the VicRoads Modernisation project, the $9bn lease of the Port of Melbourne); Victorian tax reform projects (such as the Commercial and Industrial Property tax legislation), Victoria's financial management framework (including the delivery of the annual State Budget); as well as public policy and administrative law matters and managing litigation and disputes (including in relation to employment, freedom of information and contractual issues).

About the role

In DTF Legal you will, as a generalist lawyer, build on your fundamental legal skills by working across a variety of legal areas, while still having the opportunity to develop a specialisation in one of our key areas of focus. The breadth of work DTF Legal undertakes, with a range of stakeholders, ensures that a career in DTF Legal is interesting, challenging and fulfilling.

This is an Ongoing Full time position, with flexible options available (0.6-1.0 FTE)

Key accountabilities

This position has the following responsibilities:

• Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills and a proven ability to provide pragmatic, concise, solutions-based legal advice on matters arising in the operations of government, including in at least two of the following areas: commercial and corporate; energy, infrastructure or construction; banking and finance; contracting; public and administrative law; statutory interpretation; disputes and litigation; competition and regulatory; property; employment law.

• Proven communication, relationship management and negotiation skills at a senior level, demonstrating a strong understanding of excellent customer/client service delivery

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated advanced communication, relationship management, negotiation and client service skills in delivering high quality advice and outcomes

• A proven ability to be flexible, adaptable, collegiate and work collaboratively as a member of an energetic, high-performing, and busy team.

• A proven ability to work in sustained way and deliver results under pressure, where there are competing priorities, incomplete or ambiguous information, and with limited supervision.

• A proven ability to identify, manage and, where appropriate, escalate legal, policy and commercial risks.

• Outstanding relationship management and negotiation skills.

About you

We are seeking applications from candidates with demonstrable experience in:

• Leadership and teamwork
• Communication and technical legal skills
• Client focus and relationships
• Proactive matter management and strategic insight

Experience and qualifications:

• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria (mandatory), with at least 6 years PQE
• Recognised within the legal profession for well-developed and considered judgement and impeccable professional ethics and integrity (mandatory).

About our culture

We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.

The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.

How to apply

For more information about the position and key selection criteria, please refer to the position description. If you have specific questions regarding the role, please contact Agata Bober ([email protected]).

To apply, select the ‘Apply Now' button and provide a copy of your resume and cover letter summarising your skills and relevant experience. Applications close at midnight, 18 June 2025. If you require a copy of this advertisement in an accessible format, please contact the Recruitment team.

Applications close Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 11.59PM