Legal Counsel, Employment and Dispute Resolution at RMIT University

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

30 Aug, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

01 Jun, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Workplace Relations Law, Administrative Law, Employment Law, Stakeholder Management, Litigation Management, Dispute Resolution, Legal Advice, Mediation, Negotiation, Legal Drafting, Compliance, Time Management

Industry

Education Management

Description

Overview: Full-time, Fixed Term 12 months Salary Level HEW 9 + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working About the role The Legal Counsel role sits in the RMIT Legal Services Group and is a service-focused, first point of contact for staff needing access to legal services on behalf of RMIT, which supports the General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel – Employment and Dispute Resolution, in the Legal Services Group, to deliver high quality legal advice to clients within RMIT in a timely and customer-focused manner. The role is responsible for providing legal advice to internal RMIT stakeholders on litigation, investigations, claims and subpoenas and legal disputes, in the areas of employment and education. The successful candidate in this role will support the RMIT legal team in delivering high quality, consistent advice that aligns with RMIT's legal obligations, organisational values and strategic priorities. Key Responsibilities Provide a service-focused, proactive point of contact for internal clients and external parties across the People Portfolio (encompassing employee dispute resolution and workplace relations advice) and the Academic Registrar’s Group (regarding resolution of student disputes and providing advice on student conduct issues) (collectively known as the Supported Portfolios). Provide legal and strategic advice and support to the Supported Portfolios by advising on student and staff dispute matters, including negotiation, mediation and resolution, as well as managing court and tribunal proceedings, including the instruction of external law firms or counsel, where appropriate. Develop and maintain a productive and positive working relationship with key portfolio stakeholders and their teams. Develop and deliver business-focused training programs to the Supported Portfolios on relevant and contemporary legal subjects including as required by the General Counsel and the Senior Legal Counsel – Employment and Dispute Resolution. Maintain and enhance a suite of template documents for use within and by the Supported Portfolios. Manage the use of external legal advice as required by the General Counsel and the Senior Legal Counsel – Employment and Dispute Resolution. Create regular updates relating to legal matters relevant to the Supported Portfolios for publication through Legal Services Group communication channels. Comply with all RMIT policies and procedures. About You To be successful in this position, you’ll have substantial experience working as a lawyer in workplace relations law (employment, occupational health and safety, and discrimination) as well as administrative law. Previous legal in-house experience in higher education, government or corporate environment, is highly desirable. Influence and stakeholder management, including demonstrated ability to lead RMIT's response to complex legal disputes, by presenting legal and strategic advice to diverse audiences. Demonstrated experience in delivering solutions focused and practical legal advice with sound judgment, attention to detail and the ability to anticipate challenges and innovate solutions. Proven ability to communicate effectively in a complex operating environment, ensuring legal advice is objective, independent, and clearly informs good decision-making. Excellent interpersonal and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to work autonomously within a fast-moving team environment. Must hold a current practicing certificate as an Australian lawyer under the Legal Profession Uniform Law. Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check. About the Group The Legal Services Group is responsible for the full range of legal services to all areas of the University. The Legal Services Group is committed to providing high quality legal services that are aligned with, and responsive to, the commercial needs of RMIT. A high level of customer service is required which means getting to know the different areas of businesses we service and tailoring advice to meet their needs to assist RMIT to achieve its strategic objectives. We do this by working collaboratively with our University colleagues and developing and maintaining relationships with subject matter experts within and outside of RMIT to ensure appropriate additional expertise is available when required. To Apply Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing the key selection criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page. For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Bianca Jenkins via email bianca.jenkins@rmit.edu.au. Position Description Please note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page. Due to recent upgrades, position description links may not work on LinkedIn advertisements. #LI-Hybrid Applications Close: 14 June 2026 11.59 pm RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations. At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via talentsupport@rmit.edu.au or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers. We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant. Culture Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together. Imagination. Integrity. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion. What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other. Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices. Find out what makes RMIT a great place to work

Responsibilities

Provide legal and strategic advice to internal stakeholders regarding employment, education, and student dispute matters. Manage litigation, investigations, and the instruction of external legal counsel while developing business-focused training programs.