Sydney Water is seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Counsel - Property to join our Legal and Compliance team. This role will support the Head of Legal and Compliance in delivering high-quality legal advice and services across the organisation, with a particular emphasis on property law.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 4–6 years of post-admission experience as a property lawyer, ideally gained in both private practice and in-house, with training at a mid or top-tier law firm.
• Strong commercial drafting, reviewing, and negotiation skills across a range of property transactions.
• Experience working on matters involving government authorities and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to identify and assess commercial and legal risks effectively.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with sound commercial judgment in complex legal matters.
• Desirable: Experience in land/easement acquisition (by agreement and compulsory process), planning litigation, Aboriginal land rights, and/or Native Title.

WE ENCOURAGE INDIGENOUS PROPERTY LAWYERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN ABORIGINAL LAND CLAIMS AND NATIVE TITLE TO APPLY.

Apply now to be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to sustainability, innovation, and excellence.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role.
Closing Date: Saturday 21st June 2025 at 11:59 PM AEST
Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. Please contact hayley.williams@sydneywater.com.au for any further information.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Legal Counsel - Property, you will play a key role in advising on legal matters relevant to Sydney Water’s operations and business activities. You will work closely with internal stakeholders, providing timely and practical legal guidance, particularly in relation to property transactions, compulsory acquisitions, land access issues, planning, and infrastructure development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide timely and high-quality legal advice across all areas of law relevant to Sydney Water, with a strong focus on property law.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial and property-related transactions, including leases, licences, compulsory acquisitions, disposals, easements, agreements, and service contracts.
• Advise on legislative compliance, particularly under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 and the Sydney Water Act 1994.
• Support operational teams with day-to-day property-related legal enquiries.
• Manage and oversee litigation matters in collaboration with external legal advisers.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure effective legal service delivery.
• Contribute to knowledge management by capturing and sharing legal insights and corporate knowledge across the Legal unit.