Manager and Principal Legal Adviser

About this role

About us

The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.

DTF Legal

DTF Legal provides internal legal and advisory services to the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the DTF Secretary and board, and other DTF business units. The team advises on the full spectrum of issues faced by our stakeholders. The core responsibilities of the legal team include:

• Supporting the development and implementation of State significant policies (revenue reforms, Treaty, energy transition, housing, industrial relations policy)
• Advising on the delivery of commercial, infrastructure and social policy projects
• Supporting the delivery of legislative projects, including legislation or subordinate instrument projects reform (Commercial and Industrial Property Tax, Gender Responsive Budgeting, State budget, Financial Management Act, PBO Act, SOE Act and SOE Orders, FMA Regulations etc)
• Assisting with disputes and inquiries (High Court constitutional matters, general litigation including class actions against the State, Royal Commissions)
• Managing external legal providers to ensure value and cost effectiveness
• Providing direction on strategic issues such as conflicts of interests, privacy and disclosures

In DTF Legal you will, as a generalist lawyer, build on your fundamental legal skills by working across a variety of legal areas, while still having the opportunity to develop a specialisation in one of our key areas of focus.  The breadth of work DTF Legal undertakes, with a range of stakeholders, ensures that a career in DTF Legal is interesting, challenging and fulfilling.

Key selection criteria

• Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills and a proven ability to provide pragmatic, concise, solutions-based legal advice on matters arising in the operations of government, including in at least two of the following areas: commercial and corporate; energy, infrastructure or construction; banking and finance; contracting; public and administrative law; statutory interpretation; disputes and litigation; competition and regulatory; property; employment law.
• Proven communication, relationship management and negotiation skills at a senior level, demonstrating a strong understanding of excellent customer/client service delivery
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated advanced communication, relationship management, negotiation and client service skills in delivering high quality advice and outcomes.
• A proven ability to be flexible, adaptable, collegiate and work collaboratively as a member of an energetic, high-performing, and busy team.
• A proven ability to work in sustained way and deliver results under pressure, where there are competing priorities, incomplete or ambiguous information, and with limited supervision.
• A proven ability to identify, manage and, where appropriate, escalate legal, policy and commercial risks.
• Outstanding relationship management and negotiation skills.

Experience and qualifications

The successful candidate will:

• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria (mandatory), with at least 6 years PQE
• Recognised within the legal profession for well-developed and considered judgement and impeccable professional ethics and integrity (mandatory).

About our culture

We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.

The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.

Further Information

For more information about the position and key selection criteria, please refer to the position description. If you have specific questions regarding the role, please contact Jason Clark on 0417 873 563 or email Jason.Clark@dtf.vic.gov.au.

How to apply

To apply, select the ‘Apply Now' button and provide a copy of your resume and cover letter summarising your skills and relevant experience.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 11 January 2026. If you require a copy of this advertisement in an accessible format, please contact the Recruitment team.

Covid-19 Vaccination
DTF 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 DTF has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DTF employees be fully vaccinated.