Title:  Principal Lawyer, Rolling Stock

About Us

We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians. 

Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all. 

We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work. 

About the group

People, Legal and Governance provides business enabling people, legal and corporate services functions, to drive a high-performance culture; timely and accessible legal advice and services; and to support integrated operations and portfolio wide programs.

DTP Legal is a Group within People, Legal and Governance, and is responsible for the provision of legal, legislative, commercial and policy advice and support to the Secretary and the department in the achievement of the transport system vision, objectives and decision-making principles.

The Principal Lawyer, Rolling Stock, sits within the Operations and Commercial Team in DTP Legal and is responsible for providing advice on a wide range of complex legal issues, with a focus on matters relating to the development and delivery of rolling stock and other transport projects.  The Principal Lawyer, Rolling Stock is expected to deliver outstanding client service and timely, clear and pragmatic legal advice and related services. 

About the Role

This is an ongoing role.

The Principal Lawyer Rolling Stock provides authoritative advice on a wide range of complex legal issues with a focus on commercial law matters to support the Department of Transport and Planning in the development and delivery of major transport programs.

The role requires expert knowledge across key legal domains including rolling stock and transport infrastructure delivery, public private partnerships (PPPs), franchising and alliance contract arrangements, property and construction law, intellectual property, and all related contractual issues.

This position is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of legal documentation that deals with sensitive and complex matters. The role works collaboratively with project and policy teams to ensure that legal documentation reflects DTP’s objectives, manages risk, and achieves optimal commercial and legal outcomes.

The Principal Lawyer will proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks, providing timely and practical advice to support project delivery and departmental decision-making. The role contributes to building capability within DTP Legal and across the department by promoting awareness of new legal developments, emerging risks, and best practice in commercial law.

Success in this role requires strong stakeholder management skills, the ability to develop and maintain trusted partnerships across DTP and external entities, and a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Position Accountabilities

• Provide authoritative advice on a wide range of complex legal issues with a focus on commercial law matters relating to the development and delivery of rolling stock and other transport projects, public private partnerships, franchising arrangements, alliance contract arrangements, property, construction, intellectual property and all associated contractual issues. 
• Draft and review a range of legal documentation, including commercial, property and construction agreements.
• Proactively establish, maintain and influence strong partnerships with relevant stakeholders
• Identify and proactively address potential legal risk to the department, implement risk mitigation strategies with the relevant business areas.
• Identify and advise the department on new legal developments and emerging risks to promote awareness and build capability within DTP Legal and the department.
• Work collaboratively across DTP Legal and the department in a proactive manner.

To access the Position Description, please click here : Principal Lawyer Rolling Stock 2025.docx

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience providing authoritative and highly influential legal advice on complex and sensitive legal issues in the transport context relating to commercial law matters.
• Demonstrated conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to prepare and manage strategies for complex legal matters.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues, managers and key stakeholders and to negotiate at senior levels across Government.
• Well-developed communication, organisation and negotiation skills with ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and strong record of delivering superior and timely outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory:

Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, as a lawyer in Victoria.

Desirable:

Experience as a Government lawyer preferred.

Culture Value

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.

What we offer

Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.

For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.

If you encounter any issues, refer to our Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 07 DEC 2025.

Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.

For further information about the role, please contact Evelyn David - Director Legal, Rolling Sock at evelyn.david@transport.vic.gov.au

Important Information:

If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email.