Senior Lawyer, Commercial Law Unit

Contact:
Jon Sennitt, Principal Lawyer and Manager

About us

The Department of Education is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5000 public service employees.

The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio Ministers, the Secretary, other senior staff and over 1600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian government school students.

About the role - full-time, fixed term till 30 June 2025

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a lawyer to further progress their legal career working in an outstanding legal team, in the Commercial Law Unit of the Commercial and Legislation branch in the Legal Division of the Department of Education.

Senior Lawyers in the Commercial Law Unit contribute to the provision of specialist, technical and strategic legal advice on commercial law matters and risk management in relation to schools and the corporate department. The successful candidates will have strong legal skills with specialist expertise in advising on commercial legal issues and documenting and settling commercial transactions.

The Commercial Law Unit provides strategic support in relation to the procurement, negotiation, and management of a variety of contracts, service agreements, funding agreements and other commercial documents. This includes all necessary advice before going to the market, including supporting any tailoring of standard documents to make them fit for purpose, supporting supplier selection through responding to requests for contract departures, assessment of any best and final offers, subsequent contract negotiation and drafting, and consequential contract management (primarily in relation to disputes).

• Be part of a passionate, high-performing team - Legal Division is proud to be a 2023 finalist of the Australian Law Awards 'In-house team of the year'.
• Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding - As part of a career in the public sector you can help shape Victoria's future, serve the community and follow your ambition. Visit to find out more about careers in the public service and the range of careers available.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements - part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.
• Competitive salary - Bi-annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement.
• Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.
• Values - The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DE's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, learners and families, members of the community, suppliers and Government.
• Employee assistance program - for emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter summarising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).

For more details regarding this position, please see the attached position description. For a confidential discussion, please phone Jon Sennitt, Principal Lawyer and Manager, Commercial Law Unit, on .

Applications close at 11.59pm on 15 July 2024

Jon Sennitt, Principal Lawyer and Manager

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