Legal Counsel, Employment and Dispute Resolution
Royal Melbourne Institute of TechnologyOverview:
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 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 .
To Apply
Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing the key selection criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘’ 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.
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.
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Applications Close:
14 June 2026 11.59 pmRMIT 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.
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