About us
The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is part of DGS' Digital Transformation Group. OGC navigates legal and policy challenges with technically outstanding legal advice and practical, evidence-based solutions.

About the role
Reporting to and working closely with the General Manager, CAV Legal, the Managing Principal Solicitor will lead and assist with the supervision of a team of lawyers.

The Managing Principal Solicitor must possess a proven ability to provide sophisticated, authoritative and concise advice on matters arising under Australian Consumer Law. The Principal Solicitor will be required to appear as a solicitor advocate and conduct complex court and tribunal proceedings.

The position takes a leadership role in Regulatory Services, working within a team-based environment conducting sensitive and complex investigations and other compliance and enforcement activities. The person selected will have significant experience in the delivery of legal services in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions.

About you

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Demonstrated experience in prosecuting/litigating complex and sensitive criminal and civil law cases in a range of jurisdictions.
• Experience in managing, leading and professional development of legal practitioners.
• Experience managing legal work in a complex environment including liaison with investigators and other state and federal bodies.
• Experience in supporting investigations and in the preparation of and appearances in civil and criminal litigation in complex matters.
• Experience as a solicitor advocate appearing in both criminal, civil, state and federal jurisdictions.
• Experience in directing legal research and demonstrated ability to develop and direct innovative responses to new and emerging issues.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 20 January 2023. All applications should include:

• a resume; and
• a cover letter

All VPS employees (and ex-VPS employees with extended access to the Jobs and Skills Exchange website) MUST apply via the JSE.

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DPC/DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DPC/DGS employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DPC/DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DPC/DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.