Executive Director Legal and Governance & General Counsel
| |
| Department: | WorkSafe Victoria |
| Work Type: | Fixed term - full time |
| Job Function: | Executive Management |
| Classification: | See Advertisement |
| Work Location: | Geelong |
| Reference: | VG/5549 |
| Closing Date: | 19-Jun-2026 |
| Salary Range: | See Advertisement |
| Job Duration: | N/A |
| Attachments: | No File Attached |
| Contact: | Nicola Phillips nicola.phillips@mahlab.com.au |
Position Details
The Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Executive Director Legal and Governance and General Counsel is a key member of the WorkSafe Executive Leadership Team. The role leads the Legal & Governance business unit and oversees the provision of strategic legal advice to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and the Board.
The Executive Director Legal and Governance and General Counsel manages legal risk, guides legal strategy, oversees WorkSafe's prosecutions and enforcement related legal services, FoI and privacy, civil and criminal litigation and legal assurance and review services. The role oversees legal advice provided to WorkSafe business units on health and safety legislation, compensation and commercial legal matters and manages the administrative review of decisions made by inspectors and authorised decision-makers, including Agents. This role is also responsible for promoting high standards of governance and liaising with integrity bodies.
The Ideal Candidate
WorkSafe seeks an experienced and expert lawyer with highly developed leadership skills. The successful candidate will be highly skilled in administrative law and/or litigation, preferably with a background in regulatory compliance and prosecutions, most likely gained within a government agency or regulator.
You will be a strategic, pragmatic, collaborative and compassionate leader, who enjoys mentoring and supporting high performing teams. You take a strategic view of legal service delivery and have the confidence and experience to foster improvement and positive change.
You are skilled in building and maintaining great relationships with stakeholders, such as other government agencies, and representatives of employers and workers.
The Reward
PESES – 2 level
5-year fixed term executive contract
Location: Geelong and Melbourne CBD
Applications close: Friday 19 June 2026
Confidential applications and inquiries should be directed to Nicola Phillips, Director, Mahlab Recruitment
E nicola.phillips@mahlab.com.au
T 0419 568 519
For a copy of the PD, please email melanie.sobol@mahlab.com.au
