Senior Legal Counsel (In-House) Deliver hands-on legal services, drive governance excellence and organisational integrity for a critical Queensland utility About the Role This is a rare and compelling opportunity for an accomplished legal professional to join a leading regional water and energy utility at a pivotal time in its progression. As Senior Legal Counsel, you will influence decision-making at the highest levels, champion governance excellence, and provide legal counsel that supports effective decision-making. Reporting to the General Manager - Corporate & Governance, you will play a hands-on role delivering in-house legal services and providing corporate governance advice to ensure transparent, defensible and commercial outcomes across the organisation. This highly visible position works closely with the Board, Executive Leadership Team and Strategic Leadership Team, combining legal, governance, risk and compliance skills to navigate complex organisational challenges. The Senior Legal Counsel delivers high-quality legal, governance, risk and compliance services that underpin the organisation’s strategic direction. This multifaceted and influential role will: Provide in-house legal advice and drafting of documents across the enterprise Advise on a broad range of corporate, commercial, regulatory, contractual, industrial relations and employment matters by undertaking legal research and preparation of advice. Draft, review and negotiate complex commercial contracts, procurement agreements and employment-related documents. Support property and land access matters, including easements, leases and transactions relating to major infrastructure projects. Manage significant legal issues, briefing and overseeing external counsel to achieve pragmatic and cost-effective outcomes. Drive governance excellence Lead the Company Secretary Function, ensuring the Board and Committees operate with precision, compliance and best-practice governance standards. Oversee the preparation of statutory reports and public disclosures, including annual reports and corporate plans. Manage privacy compliance, fraud and corrupt conduct frameworks, delegations of authority, policy frameworks and corporate registers. Coordinate responses to right to information and public access matters, maintaining accuracy, timeliness and legislative compliance. Shape enterprise risk and compliance frameworks Design and implement comprehensive risk and compliance frameworks, embedding a strong culture of risk awareness and accountability. Develop risk appetite statements and tolerances aligned to organisational objectives. Maintain enterprise and divisional risk registers, ensure quality quarterly reporting, and lead internal controls, compliance assessments and remediation programs. This role is central to uplifting organisational capability, enabling transparent governance, and ensuring confidence in decision-making across all levels of leadership. About You You are a seasoned legal and governance professional who brings presence, insight and strategic influence. You thrive in complex, highly regulated environments and are energised by the opportunity of a hands-on role in a fast paced environment. You will bring: Tertiary qualifications in Law, current admission to practice in Australia, and an unrestricted practising certificate. At least five years’ post-admission experience in a legal practice or in a legal role within government, utilities, energy, water, infrastructure or a similarly complex regulatory environment. Demonstrated success leading legal matters, instructing external counsel, managing budgets and translating complex legal issues into clear, actionable advice. Strong governance capability, including hands-on experience with Board and Committee processes, corporate registers and governance reporting. Exceptional written communication skills and the ability to deliver concise, high-quality papers under tight timeframes. Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability, with credibility at executive and Board levels. A strategic mindset with sound judgment and the ability to balance legal, governance and organisational priorities. The Opportunity This is a strategic career step, an opportunity to shape enduring legal and governance foundations for a critical Queensland utility provider. You will champion integrity, strengthen organisational resilience, and provide trusted leadership that influences decisions for years to come. Next Steps For a confidential discussion and further information, please contact Kim Ritchie on 0412 156 920 or email kim@edenritchie.com.au
