Senior Legal Counsel - Litigation & Dispute Resolution

This Job is based in Australia

Employment Type: Full timeDuration: ContinuingRemuneration: Senior Competitive Total PackageLocation: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid Working)

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do.

UNSW Legal & Compliance provides trusted independent legal advice across the University community. As a senior member of the People & Conduct Law team, you build trusted relationships across the University including employment, workplace relations, defamation litigation, discrimination litigation, conduct and integrity, and safety.

Why Your Role Matters

Stepping into a senior role within the People & Conduct Law team, you will provide strategic leadership across an evolving employment and industrial relations landscape. As a central legal escalation point for complex, sensitive and high‑risk employment and conduct matters, your day‑to‑day work will include:

Acting as a senior legal advisor to provide astute and technically sound legal advice to our most senior leaders to oversee dispute matters with significant legal, reputational or enterprise‑wide implicationsRepresenting UNSW before Courts and Tribunals including the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).Providing strategic advice, in relation to complaints, litigious and potentially litigious matters, including appearing in courts and tribunals as necessary, leading the preparation of evidence, submissions and affidavits for Court and Commission proceedings.Advising University leadership, People & Culture and Conduct & Integrity in relation to the management of disputes and potential disputes involving staff and students.Fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment, supporting your team in offering sound legal advice and acting as a central legal escalation point for complex disputes.

The position reports into the Head of People & Conduct Law and has three direct reports, joining a team of lawyers to exercise senior influence, technical leadership and strategic authority across the People & Conduct Law team.

Who You Are: Bringing deep expertise across employment and workplace relations matters, with a focus on disputes management, you will become a trusted advisor to our internal stakeholders and support UNSW in navigating this legal space. You’ll hold the confidence to advise senior stakeholders and offer broad-ranging legal advice and design sound litigation strategy.

You’ll Hold The Following Skills & Experience

A law degree and current practicing certificate with admission to the Supreme Court of NSW. 10+ years post-qualification experience in a quality employment law or litigation practice or in house environment with experience leading on complex legal issues in the areas of employee relations, industrial relations, WHS and anti-discrimination lawsDemonstrated ability to provide strategic, commercial advice and counsel in relation to complex legal issues.   Practised in negotiating and drafting high-quality legal documents including documents to be filed in courts and tribunals documents.Confidence in advising senior management and ability to design and effectively deliver high-quality legal advice and strategies.Excellent interpersonal skills as well as an ability to build relationships and influence with impact.

For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the position description.

How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before Thursday 3rd September 2026 by 11:55pm.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc). Additional 3 days leave during annual December shutdown period. Career development opportunities.  Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses. Flexible superannuation contributionsDiscounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport).

Job queries contact: Katherine Molloy, Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: katherine.molloy@unsw.edu.au (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.