General Counsel

General Counsel

• Provide strategic legal advice and strengthen governance, risk and assurance across DCITHS
• Senior Executive Band 2
• Ongoing role based in Sydney CBD

About the role

The General Counsel is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for shaping and strengthening the Department’s legal, governance, risk and assurance environment. As a member of the Corporate Services Executive Leadership Team, the role provides authoritative and strategically informed advice on complex, high-impact and often high-profile matters that influence policy development, legislative reform and the delivery of government priorities.

As the Department’s principal legal adviser, the General Counsel oversees the provision of high-quality legal services across litigation, legislative interpretation, regulatory compliance and major policy initiatives. The role anticipates legal and regulatory risk, guides the organisation through complex and sensitive matters, and ensures decisions are supported by robust and defensible legal advice.

The role also acts as Chief Audit Executive, providing independent oversight of internal audit, enterprise risk management, and governance frameworks. Through close engagement with senior leadership and the Audit and Risk Committee, the role strengthens governance maturity, risk culture and organisational assurance across the portfolio.

Leading a high-performing multidisciplinary team and managing key external legal partnerships, the General Counsel fosters a culture of integrity, accountability and professional excellence while enabling the Department to deliver on its strategic and policy objectives.

To learn more about the role, please click here to download the role description.

About you

The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior legal executive with extensive experience delivering strategic legal advice in complex government or regulatory environments. A strong track record overseeing legal services across litigation, legislative interpretation, regulatory compliance and other complex or sensitive matters is essential.

A deep understanding of government accountability frameworks, including Cabinet, parliamentary and legislative processes, is required, along with sound judgement in navigating politically sensitive issues.

Experience overseeing governance, enterprise risk management and internal audit functions within large organisations will be highly regarded. The role requires a collaborative leader who can build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, lead high-performing teams and promote a culture of integrity, accountability and sound risk management.

To be eligible for this role, you must hold a current legal practicing certificate in NSW.

How to apply

Click ‘apply now’ to submit your online application.  Please include an up-to-date resume that details your capabilities and experience in relation to the role.

Closing date: Tuesday 14 April 2026 [10.00AM]

Contact: For any questions, please contact Dragana Papak, Director Talent and People Operations via email: dragana.papak@dciths.nsw.gov.au

 Working at the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS) unites the state’s key creative industries, Cultural Institutions, hospitality, entertainment, sports and tourism entities, to bring vibrancy to NSW.

Collectively, we grow our industries and workforces, drive strong visitor and night-time economies, ensure a responsible hospitality sector, and put art, culture and sport – including First Nations storytelling – at the heart of our communities.

Collaborating with our stakeholders, we:

• enable vibrant precincts, venues and creative industries
• drive connection between people and their communities 
• achieve balance between safety and experience
• provide accessible experience, advice, facilities and support for individuals and groups.

By celebrating NSW’s uniqueness and sharing its stories, we are inspiring a thriving and prosperous future.

Curious what it’s like to work at DCITHS? Take a quick look at the impact we’re making across NSW!

DCITHS: Putting arts, culture and sport at the heart of NSW communities

 We believe diversity across our department allows us to be a true reflection of NSW citizens. We are a respectful workplace committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please notify us on your application form.

 A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.