General Counsel

• Opportunity to make a real difference.
• Full-time 3-year contract based in Adelaide.
• Not-For-Profit salary packaging.

Are you ready for a unique opportunity to have a significant impact on the lives of First Nations peoples? We are seeking a motivated and experienced General Counsel to join our legal team at the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC). As the General Counsel, you will play a crucial role in leading, supporting, and driving strategy, development, and implementation, while acting as an effective guardian of our organisation.

About Us

The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) is a corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005, and is subject to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. The ILSC assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to realise economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits that the ownership and management of land, water and water related rights can bring. The ILSC provides this assistance through the acquisition and management of rights and interests in land, salt water and freshwater.

About the Role

Are you ready to take the lead and make a tangible impact as our General Counsel? In this pivotal role, reporting directly to our Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), you will manage our legal and risk team's efforts to drive strategy, development, and implementation across the ILSC Group. As the General Counsel of our organisation, you will provide energetic and dynamic leadership in crucial areas such as commercial and property law (with a special emphasis on contracting and construction), governmental and administrative law, Native Title/ land rights, environmental law, and employment law. You will be part of our leadership group, providing high-level professional legal advice. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to prepare regular briefings for the GCEO and ILSC Board, ensuring they are well-informed and equipped to make informed decisions. You will be required to ensure the efficient operation of the legal unit and ensure the meeting of organisational wide KPI's are achieved, including through Individual and agreed performance measures. The General Counsel will be required to travel.

About You

As an accomplished legal professional, you possess more than just expertise - you have a genuine passion for making a difference and have developed significant cultural capability, particularly with respect to Indigenous Australian's. Your capacity to effectively communicate and engage with a broad range of stakeholders, coupled with your profound respect and understanding of Indigenous culture and aspirations, set you apart. With formal qualifications in Law and admission as a legal practitioner (or eligibility for admission) to the Supreme Court, you have a solid foundation to bring to the role. Your extensive post-admission experience in a commercial, property, administrative, or Native Title legal practice or in a comparable in-house legal Counsel role has honed your leadership and management skills and shaped your perspective.

Under the direction of the Group Chief Executive Officer, you will:

• Provide effective leadership in the areas of commercial and property (with an emphasis on contracting and construction), governmental and administrative, Native Title/Indigenous land rights, environmental and employment law.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders based on trust and respect.
• Lead and manage the ILSC Group Corporate Governance Program ensuring best practice corporate governance procedures are maintained at all times.
• Provide guidance and support to direct reports, including managing performance, supporting development, and contributing to a positive workplace culture.
• Provide high-level legal advice and recommendations to the Group CEO, Executive Management Team and the ILSC Board.

At the ILSC we offer:

More than just a job. We offer you the opportunity to make a real, positive difference to the lives of First Nations peoples. When we return land and water Country to Indigenous ownership, or fund a new Indigenous enterprise or management project, we strengthen and deepen Indigenous connection to Country and advance progress towards self-determination.

Generous leave entitlements and work conditions, including:

• 15.4% superannuation on top of your salary.
• Flexible hybrid work environment (2 days WFH).
• QANTAS Club corporate membership.
• Salary Packaging.
• Access to generous parental leave.
• Generous studies assistance program.

Health and wellbeing programmes:

• Healthy Employment Scheme (HES) - An annual allowance towards your wellbeing.
• Screen Based Equipment Scheme - Includes eye testing and an allowance towards spectacles.
• Free annual skin checks.

If you have a passion to drive change and want your work to align with your values to make a real difference, we invite you to apply now and start the conversation.

TARGETED VACANCY - This role is open to all applicants, however those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and meet the requirements and are ranked suitable for the role will be given priority consideration in this recruitment process.