Title:  Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Legal Counsel

• Permanent, Full Time with a monthly day off + 5 weeks annual leave!

• Based at Box Hill Hospital (close to cafes, shops & public transport!)

• Manage a broad and varied portfolio where no day is the same!

Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services and have a proud history of serving a diverse community.

Our Employee Value Proposition is “Being a part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts”.

This statement aligns with our promise to our communities, patients, consumers and staff that we will be HEALTHIER TOGETHER. Bolder than a vision for the future, our promise calls us to action. We know that working together is the only way we can achieve what is necessary for a healthier future.

About the role

The Senior Legal Counsel reports to the Chief Counsel and is responsible for the provision of sound, practical and timely legal advice to all Eastern Health operational areas as and when required.

The Senior Legal Counsel supports the Eastern Health Directorates and Programs by providing legal advice and practical support across a very broad legal portfolio which covers both commercial and litigation matters, The scope of the portfolio of work includes contract drafting and negotiations, assistance with tender preparations, advice in respect of consumer  feedback, privacy and data protection, complaints and feedback, management of litigated matters and coronial investigations and in conjunction with VMIA-appointed lawyers and Eastern Health’s medico-legal officer.

This role is a broad, commercial in-house counsel role that requires close engagement and cooperation with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that legal risks to Eastern Health are recognised, understood and mitigated. The Senior Legal Counsel requires:

• well-developed commercial legal skills;

• a high level of critical thinking;

• the ability to effectively triage matters to ensure timely responses to the most critical legal matters as they arise;

• ability to learn about and understand Eastern Health as the client; and

• excellent skills in stakeholder engagement.

The role is based at Box Hill Hospital, the location of Eastern Health’s legal team.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and current Practising Certificate pursuant to the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria).

• 7+ years PQE

• Relevant experience in an in-house legal team

• Knowledge of, and experience in, the Victorian public health sector (or equivalent public sector environment) and understanding of its legal challenges and relationship with the Victorian Government.

Healthcare workers are strongly recommended to follow COVID vaccination recommendations provided in the Australian Immunisation handbook (based on ATAGI advice). Seasonal vaccination against influenza is a mandatory requirement of this role and an offer is conditional on this being up to date prior to employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

• Diverse and engaging career opportunities

• Friendly & supportive team

• Flexible working hours

• Salary packaging options

• Career progression in our teaching hospitals

Next Steps

Apply online if you feel we are a good match, you have the skills and qualities to make a difference, and are eligible to work in Australia.

We review all applications when we receive them, and we notify unsuccessful candidates.

If you are shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview, and you must complete a National Police Check (which we will pay for). We will notify unsuccessful candidates.

Good to know:

• We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability – within the communities we serve and our Eastern Health team.

• We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.

• As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.

• Vaccination and screening for immunity to vaccine-preventable disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.

• Advertising may end before the closing date.

• We do not accept recruitment agency application

If you are a current Eastern Health employee please ensure you log in with your internal Eastern Health account to apply for this or other roles.

Please Click Here for the Position Description

Contact Person: Fleur Shaw-Jones

Contact Number: 0403879435

Contact Email: fleur.shaw-jones@easternhealth.org.au

Job Posting End Date: 5th April 2025

Need help submitting your application?

Just contact the Hiring Manager in the advertisement or call the Talent Acquisition Team on (03) 9955 7555 (Option 1) 

Our Values in Action:

Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day