Principal Lawyer and Manager, Workplace and Employment Law

At Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) we envision every student to be inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world. MACS is the largest Catholic school system in Australia. We own, govern and operate approximately 300 Catholic schools, employ over 17,000 staff and serve more than 118,000 students and their families in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.It is an exciting time to join MACS, where we are transforming to bring to life our strategic plan - MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World that will help all MACS staff come together to make the most of what a Catholic education has to offer so that we have the greatest and most distinctive impact in our classrooms, staffrooms and schools communities. More details on the MACS strategy can be found here.
WHY WORK FOR US?Professional development opportunities with a defined personalised annual budgetAccess to flexible working arrangements, which include working from home arrangementsYou will work in a tight-knit, supportive team to ensure you succeed in your roleEmployee Assistant Program (EAP) supported by Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace, providing a safe and caring environment to our staff and students
The MACS Code of Conduct (the Code) embodies our collective commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment that prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone, inspired by our Catholic faith. We ask that all staff read and understand the Code and model the behaviours that are expected of us.
YOUR ROLE - This is a 12 month fixed-term role.Join MACS as the Principal Lawyer and Manager of the Workplace and Employment law team, responsible for delivering expert legal advice and services to MACS schools and offices in relation to complex, high-risk legal matters relating to employment, workplace, and industrial relations law.
This senior role will lead and support a new team through a period of transformation under the newly formed Disputes and Litigation team. It is ideal for someone seeking to expand their team leadership skills and develop proactive initiatives to drive continuous improvement in trauma-informed practice, risk management, and legal compliance.
WHAT YOU WILL DOLead and mentor a small team, advising on complex legal challenges and meeting professional goals, in alignment with the MACS 2030 strategy.Champion capability-building initiatives across MACS schools and offices, empowering decision-makers to understand and meet their legal obligations and responsibilities.Oversee the delivery of high-quality legal services, with a particular focus on managing complex workplace and employment related disputes, ensuring consistency, strategic alignment, and operational excellence across the Workplace and Employment Law team.Promote a culture of collaboration and responsiveness, supporting the team to build strong client relationships and deliver practical, solution-oriented legal advice.Represent the legal team in high-level stakeholder engagements, building trusted partnerships and influencing outcomes that support MACS operations and values.
ABOUT YOUYou lead with empathy, resilience, and support for team wellbeing.You apply and share your extensive legal expertise.You influence outcomes through strategic stakeholder engagement and negotiation.You communicate complex legal issues with clarity and independence.You manage resources to drive optimal team performance and growth.You drive team performance through agile, responsive leadership and planning.
HOW TO APPLYPlease refer to the position description for further details about the role and the Key Selection Criteria.Click APPLY to submit your application. If you have any queries about this role, they can be directed to our HR team by email recruitment@macs.vic.edu.auYou will need to provide:1. An up to-date Resume and2. A cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria, limited to two pages
Note: MACS is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children in our care. The successful candidate must hold or acquire and maintain a Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and/or Working with Children Check and must be willing to obtain and maintain a National Criminal History Check.Candidates must hold full Australian Working Rights and provide evidence of this.
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APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 4.00pm Wednesday, 2 September 2026