Southern Cross University
Senior Employment Lawyer
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Senior Employment Lawyer
Senior Employment Lawyer – Be Bold. Belong. Be More.
About the Role & Opportunity
Apply your expertise to make a meaningful impact across Australia’s most dynamic regional campuses and regions. Join a bold, award-winning Workplace Relations team recognised for leading practice—where complex workplace matters drive meaningful change.
At Southern Cross University, we build strong connections between learning, community, and real-world impact. You won’t just work here—you’ll help shape a future that matters to orchestrate transformative change right across organisation. This is your chance to thrive in a place as unique as your vision.
You can be good anywhere. Here, you can be great.
We are seeking a Senior Employment Lawyer to provide expert strategic advice across Australia’s workplace relations framework in a large, dynamic organisation. Working closely with senior leaders and People Partners, you’ll analyse complex, high-risk employment matters—applying legal judgement to support risk-based decisions and aligned organisational objectives.
Your work will span the full spectrum of workplace law—from enterprise agreements and contracts to major policy shifts and tribunal disputes. By leading end-to-end, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping systematic approaches that drive ethical, effective outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Supporting both high-impact advisory work and strategic development, your role will include:
- Providing consulting-grade legal advice on:
- Employment law frameworks (ever-changing awards, enterprise agreements, legislation)
- Contract negotiation and design aligning with best practice
- Risk exposure impacting long-term organisational strategy
- Leading complex adversarial engagements:
- High-risk workplace investigations, employee disputes and disciplinary matters
- Tribunal proceedings and external legal disputes
- Major change programmes, misconduct processes and terminations with legal precision
- Building and implementing sustainable systems:
- Developing internal policies, frameworks, and threat models to mitigate risk
- Capability-building for leaders, HR teams and university communities
- Exploring industry and regional trends to forecast emerging challenges
What You’ll Bring
This leadership role demands someone with demonstrated technical depth, agility and a stakeholder-first approach. We want a trailblazing in-house lawyer who thrives in collaborative complexity and understands how legal rigor fuels business outcomes.
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Key Criteria
- Degree in Law + 5+ years of dynamic experience—optimally in private practice, or in a senior in-house role.
- Specialisation in workplace law, employment relations, or head of legal office is a must.
- Sharp expertise in interpreting industry awards, enterprise agreements, contracts and BCS alteration processes.
- Proven track record in tribunal litigation, arbitration, and conflict resolution.
- Strong analytical curiosity, stakeholder adaptability and confidence presenting to leadership.
- A balance of credit to your structured risk model, but street-smart pragmatism in real world solutions.
- Reality-tested understanding of the competitive pressures facing organisations.
Cultural Fit & Motivations
- You’re passionate about the power of law to enable positive change. Your skills in defining justice-oriented frameworks resonate with our mission.
- You want more than **private practice”; relish regulatory surroundings but retain the intellectual challenge and impact.
- Flexible yet determined—energised by diverse teams and complexities in a work environment balancing focus and collaboration.
- Values thought leadership and the ability to see your work’s long-term ripple effect on people and communities.
Why Southern Cross University?
SCU is a vibrant regional university popularising bold ideas and community connections. This is an opportunity to contribute to a large but agile organisation, working alongside colleagues who deliver meaningful impact and live by their values.
Perks & Offerings
- Full-time, continuing (permanent) role—with flexible schedules where appropriate for robust work-life integration.
- Position locations: Gold Coast, QLD (4225) or Lismore, NSW (2480). Enjoy great regional living—from sun-soaked beaches to idyllic hinterland.
- Relocation support available to streamline your transition into regional life and community.
Benefits Reflecting Our Culture
- Dynamic environment where opportunities to challenge, learn, and grow await
- Supportive, collaborative culture valuing input and collective success
- Beautiful campus locations fostering connective, creative work
- Wellness and work-life initiatives to ensure sustainable well-being
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Benefits Package Overview
- Additional organisation-wide benefits including superannuation, wellness programs, career counseling, and flexible work arrangements
- Access to **positively reviewed employee resources such as:i WorkPRO bilingual physical + virtual support, Ly comorbid graduate research support, and SCU’s unique HELP Hub.
Application Process
We welcome applicants who courageously bring their full selves to work. If you share our vision, your chances are high with us—more than field of personal skills.
Include a strong CV and a cover letter clearly addressing this role’s selection criteria.
Email: Jobs@scu.edu.au Subject Line: “Application for Senior Employment Lawyer Role”
Applicants must apply online via [SCU Careers Portal] Application Deadline: 11.30pm AEST, 9 July 2026
Prerequisites for Appointment
Only candidates with:
- Australian or New Zealand citizenship
- Long-term/permanent residency valid for the entire role duration, or
- Eligible work rights under current AU immigration policy
are eligible. No employer visa sponsorship available for this position.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
At Southern Cross University, we celebrate rich and varied perspectives and actively promote an environment where everyone can thrive. We focus on inclusion and breaking down barriers—whether professional, cultural, or personal.
From gender and physical ability to talented newcomers—if this role’s injected you with purpose, we’d love to hear from you
Reach out to: SCU funding project coordinator with any specific adjustments needed to equip you effectively during our recruitment process.
Applications are always opened fairly from every candidate’s potential, not just predetermined experience.
Points of Contact
Job Title: Senior Employment Lawyer Faculty: Strategic & Global Alliance Division Region: FDR Collective (#Workplace Relations) Team Lead: Vivian Cormier
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