Deputy General Counsel

• Join a leadership group transforming education in NSW, and make a difference to students in NSW  

• Ongoing Public Service Senior Executive Band 1 role with a remuneration range of $231,159 - $255,262 per annum 

• Based in Parramatta with flexible work options  

About us 

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training. 

We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education and care sector. We unlock excellence and unleash the potential of two-thirds of school children in NSW. We’re proudly public and the largest education system in Australia. We nurture opportunities for every learner to develop the skills needed for their chosen career path, helping shape the industries of tomorrow.  

We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia. 

The Legal services directorate provides strategic legal advice across a range of different matters.  This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to the Department of Education and join a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about public education and committed to delivering the Plan for NSW Public Education.   

About the role 

The Deputy General Counsel directs the development and implementation of strategic and operational legal frameworks, provides expert advice to senior stakeholders and works collaboratively with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and their teams to ensure legal service delivery enables and facilitates the achievement of organisational priorities. This primary role applies to both the Department and other areas of the Cluster, where relevant and appropriate.  

The Deputy General Counsel will need to develop good working relationships with stakeholders across schools, government and external organisations. 

Legal Services in the Department of Education is a complex and high-volume work area. Therefore, the Deputy General Counsel will need to approach the role with a transformative mindset to ensure their teams are fit-for-purpose with changing operational priorities.  
 

For more details about this role, please click here to view the Role Description.  

About you 

We are looking for a strategic lawyer with extensive experience working in a leadership role within large and complex organisations. You will provide expert legal counsel on a wide range of matters and ensure compliance with the laws. Our ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of all the department’s operations and its legislative platform to support all areas. You will have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate successful outcomes. You will possess a transformative mindset, with the ability to effect operational change to ensure your teams are providing the most beneficial impact to the organisation. 

The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating through ambiguity whilst remaining focused on delivering meaningful reform. You will also play a key role in, enhancing service delivery and building an agile legal function. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about driving lasting improvements across systems, people and processes. 

To be successful in this role, you will have: 

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law and admission as a legal practitioner with an unrestricted practicing certificate.  

• Hold a valid clearance to work with Children (Working with Children Check)  

• Demonstrated experience in providing sound legal and policy advice at a senior level.  

• Proven record in negotiations.  

• 8+ years of experience in a government legal practice 

• Experience providing complex legal advice in multi-faceted organisations 

• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people 

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education 

As a condition of employment, successful candidates who have not previously worked for the department will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number. This option would allow the WWCC to naturally expire without further communication needed with the employee. The employer obligations under the WWCC would apply for duration of the WWCC’s validity (up to 5 years). 

Interested? 

To apply for this role, please submit an online application and attach your resume along with a cover letter which describes how your capabilities, knowledge and experience make you the best person for this role. 

Applications Close: Monday, 28 April 2025 at 11.59pm 

Contact: For enquiries about the recruitment of this role, please contact Sarah Hargans– sarah.hargans@det.nsw.edu.au  

Please note:  

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion. 

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. Candidates on a talent pool may be chosen and directly offered employment in other or similar roles (ongoing or term) in the near future.