Legal Officer

Position Details

• Full-Time | Fixed term (6 months)

• Higher Education Officer Level 7 | $102,589 - $113,561

• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country

• View Position Description

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a lawyer seeking to develop or further their in-house legal career within a large, complex and values-driven university environment. As a Legal Officer, you will provide legal advice and contract management support across a broad range of legal, policy, compliance and risk matters, working closely with Colleges and Portfolios to deliver practical, solution-focused outcomes. The role also plays an important part in strengthening governance and best practice by supporting contract processes, policy interpretation, risk management, staff education and Freedom of Information obligations.  

Key Responsibilities include:

• Providing legal advice and support on contractual, compliance, policy and risk matters across the University. 

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts, agreements, legal documents and memoranda of advice.

• Partnering with stakeholders to promote best practice in governance, contract management and risk management.

• Supporting Freedom of Information processes and contributing to the development of legal templates, procedures and staff capability.

This position makes a significant contribution to the University’s strategic plan to changing 10 million lives, Every One Matters, by 2035 through providing trusted legal advice, contract management and risk support that strengthen governance, uphold Integrity, and enable Excellence in decision-making across the University.

About You
 

To be successful as a Legal Officer you will be an experienced legal practitioner particularly in contract management, including formation, negotiation, administration, and arrangement in a complex business environment. You can demonstrate a high level of accuracy, attention-to-detail, time management and judgment in the interpretation of legal principles and business procedures. You are a strong communicator, particularly when drafting legal memoranda, supervising staff, and working as a team to solve issues.
 

In addition, you should also demonstrate:

• A recognised law degree; and be eligible to be admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

• Well-developed knowledge of contemporary tender and procurement processes.

• An ability to negotiate strong business outcomes with significant stakeholders including the Commonwealth Government and Industry Partners.

• Experience in the Higher Education Sector and an understanding of risk management principles (desirable)

About Governance, Legal and Risk
 

Governance, Legal and Risk provide governance, legal, policy, compliance, insurance and risk management support to the University and its staff. The Governance, Legal and Risk team provides advice on university governance and decision-making processes and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Flinders have policies in place to protect its people, assets, and activities. 

Life at Flinders  

They say know your place.  We say you've found it right here. 
 

Flinders University was founded on the belief that learning should open minds, celebrate individuality and give people the freedom to pursue their own point of view. That spirit lives on in our community of thinkers, doers and changemakers who challenge convention, and each other, to shape what comes next. 
 

Rising to a challenge is nothing new for Flinders. During our first 60 years, we’ve navigated revolutionary changes in social and cultural norms, and have responded to transformative economic, environmental and technological developments. Through it all, we’ve continued to deliver for our students and community, innovating in learning and research to prepare graduates for the changing world they help create. 
 

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them.  
 

So, why work at Flinders? 

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options  

• Flexible working arrangements  

• Awarded the AHEIA Higher Education Award for Workplace Culture Excellence due to our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders staff wellbeing program 

• Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers   

• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.  

• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).  

• Recognised as a Veteran Employer of Choice   

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment  
 

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.  

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan   

• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy   

Prescribed Conditions for Employment
 

Flinders University is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, free from gender‑based violence. Appointment to this role is conditional on the completion of required pre‑employment checks and declarations, each of which must be satisfactory to the University. This includes a Gender‑Based Violence declaration, in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender‑Based Violence (2025), and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

How to Apply and Information 

• You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement as a separate document.  This should be no more than 3 pages, and address the Key Position Capabilities of the position description

• Flinders University is committed to providing an environment where staff with disability are valued, supported and encouraged to participate fully and independently in the life of the University. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise the contact in the Recruitment Team so that we can make appropriate arrangements through recruitment@flinders.edu.au or call 08 8201 2383. 

• For more information regarding this position, please contact Belinda Anderson

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.