Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Continuing
Department: Legal and Risk; Chief Operating Officer Portfolio
Salary: Senior Manager 1 – attractive salary on offer incl. 17% super
Provide expert advice on complex property transactions and major capital projects across seven campuses.
Leverage strong leadership and relationship-building skills to deliver high-quality legal solutions and support strategic growth.
Brilliant benefits and a flexible hybrid work environment!
About the Role
The Senior Lawyer - Property is a specialist role within Legal and Risk, responsible for providing expert legal guidance and advice to support the management, development and stewardship of the University's significant property interests across seven campuses.
Reporting to the Director, Legal Services, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy in a complex, dynamic environment, providing strategic and risk-based legal advice to senior leaders and key stakeholders.
You will advise on a broad range of complex property matters including sale and purchase transactions, leasing and licensing arrangements, major capital projects, property development and financing, easements, Crown land, student accommodation, heritage and planning, compulsory acquisition and ministerial approvals.
What you will deliver:
Proactively managing risks and delivering high-quality, strategic legal advice on complex property matters.
Representing the team, providing expert guidance on property, planning and legal matters to support University operations. Manage complex legal issues and collaborate with senior colleagues and external stakeholders including local Councils and planning authorities.
Managing routine and complex legal tasks independently, exercising a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement. Draft agreements, stay updated on legal changes, and advise on strategic initiatives.
Supervising, coaching and developing junior lawyers within the legal team, providing advice, guidance and support within defined client areas.
Identifying, assessing and communicating legal, commercial, governance and reputational risks to inform the University's broader risk, audit and compliance activity.
You may be a great fit if you have:
A minimum of seven years postgraduate qualifications in relevant discipline (Law) (LLB) as well as significant relevant legal experience.
Current Victorian practising certificate or equivalent.
Proven track record in property law, advising on sale and purchase transactions, leasing and licensing, major projects, property development, financing, easements, Crown land, student accommodation, heritage and planning, compulsory acquisition and ministerial approvals.
Extensive experience managing multiple complex legal matters and delivering client-focused solutions in a large organisation.
Superior plain English drafting and contract skills, and strong verbal communication skills.
Proven ability to build, establish and maintain relationships with multiple stakeholders, including senior stakeholders both external and internal to the University.
For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements please refer to the attached PD below.
What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:
Build future financial security with 17% superannuation.
Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being.
Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning.
Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave.
Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program
For more information check out our benefits page!
Your new team – Legal and Risk
Legal and Risk delivers high-quality, integrated, expertise-based professional services and advice to facilitate agile decision-making and enable external compliance in support of the University's operations and purpose.
Our work is interesting, challenging and rewarding, with possibly the most diverse range of clients you'll ever get an opportunity to work with in one organisation. The leadership team are champions of professional development and will support your growth in a way that suits you. We have a strong commitment to our values and behaviours, and we recognise and reward our peers when we see those behaviours being demonstrated. We have an inclusive culture that encourages participation in many regular and ad-hoc social and wellbeing activities.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.
We are committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected].
Application essentials:
Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
Want to know more?
For questions related to our recruitment process email Fahim Farzad at [email protected]
For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at [email protected] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').
Apply today and join a community that’s shaping the future.
Applications close: Wednesday 5th August 2026 at 11:55 pm Melbourne time
Position Description: PD - JR-015828 Senior Lawyer.pdf
Skills Required
- Minimum of seven years postgraduate qualifications in Law (LLB) and significant relevant legal experience.
- Current Victorian practising certificate or equivalent.
- Proven track record in property law (sale and purchase, leasing and licensing, major projects, property development, financing, easements, Crown land, student accommodation, heritage and planning, compulsory acquisition, ministerial approvals).
- Extensive experience managing multiple complex legal matters and delivering client-focused solutions in a large organisation.
- Superior plain English drafting and contract skills and strong verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience supervising, coaching and developing junior lawyers.
- Current valid work rights for Australia (visa sponsorship is not available).
- Working with Children Check (required if successful).
What We Do
The University of Melbourne is a leading public research university that makes distinctive contributions to society in research, learning, teaching, and engagement.
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