Division: LEGAL & GOVERNANCE

Unit: LEGAL SERVICES
Section: LEGAL SERVICES
Salary: AUD $188,868 per annum plus Superannuation

Employment status: Permanent

Employment arrangement: Full Time

Location: Sydney CBD

Option to work under a 19 day month arrangement

At the City of Sydney our people are our most important asset and central to achieving our exciting and ambitious Sustainable Sydney 2030 - developing a green, global and connected city.

The City of Sydney is looking for a Principal Lawyer with extensive planning and compliance litigation experience to lead its unique and well-regarded Planning and Compliance legal team. This in-house team has carriage of a range of litigation, including a large number of planning appeals and civil and criminal compliance action. The Principal Lawyer manages the team and has day to day supervision of all matters.

The successful candidate will also be exposed to a variety of legal advice work from all areas of the City's operations including planning, construction and development projects, local government administration and access to information. This role provides the opportunity to join a high performing team offering strategic and practical legal services to support the City's delivery of the innovative and diverse Sustainable Sydney 2030 strategy.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in the provision of legal services in the area of planning and environmental law and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams of lawyers and developing and maintaining team spirit and direction in order to maximise team effectiveness.
• Highly developed and effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and an ability to develop strong relationships with a variety of clients.
• Demonstrated ability to provide authoritative, expert and strategic legal and policy advice on a range of complex and sensitive matters and conduct litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to reason conceptually, negotiate effectively and to solve complex problems with innovative and practical solutions and resolve high priority issues.
• Demonstrated understanding of the legislative, operational and political structure within which local councils function and an enthusiasm for and interest in local government matters and the City of Sydney.

The successful candidate should have at least 8 years post-qualification experience in the areas of planning law and/or local government compliance and enforcement law.


The City of Sydney offers employees unparalleled employment benefits including accelerated long-service leave, flexible working arrangements and attractive maternity and paternity entitlements.

At the City of Sydney you will join a dedicated team where individual effort is part of something much bigger - delivering great things for our city's dynamic future

To apply: Click on the 'Apply' button below to complete your online application. Please upload your current resume and respond to the online application questions that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of this role.

Please note: This role will require a Pre-Employment Health Declaration.

Position description: CLICK HERE to view or download the position description.

Applications must be made online via the City's website by 11:59pm, Tuesday 20 August.

For further information contact: Kirsten Morrin, Director Legal & Governance on 02 9265 9361.

Employee Benefits: CLICK HERE for more information on the benefits of working in Council.

At the City we provide equal employment opportunity. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive work environment and encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.