Senior Legal Counsel

Australia - Sydney

Axiom, the leading provider of on-demand legal talent globally, is partnered with a leading power and water utility and is seeking a seasoned commercial lawyer to provide broad‑based legal support across major infrastructure, energy and government‑funded projects. This highly visible secondee role partners closely with operational, commercial and executive stakeholders to deliver pragmatic, solutions‑focused advice on day‑to‑day legal matters, while managing complex procurement, funding and project‑related contracts in a dynamic environment. The position also plays a key role in identifying contractual risks, supporting large‑scale refurbishment and upgrade programs, and coordinating with specialist external counsel on regulatory issues, including National Electricity Law.

This opportunity suits a self‑sufficient senior lawyer with strong generalist capability, excellent stakeholder management skills and the confidence to operate independently across diverse matters.

Responsibilities:

  • Procurement contracting using the organisation’s standard templates.
  • Reviewing and negotiating supplier agreements, including software and technology contracts.
  • Leading contract negotiations with vendors, government bodies and project partners.
  • Identifying and advising on contractual risks across major infrastructure and operational agreements.
  • Supporting major infrastructure projects, including dam refurbishment and upgrades, and managing government‑to‑government funding arrangements.
  • Partnering with internal and external stakeholders, including acting as liaison with the external legal panel and supporting the AusPac GC on regional legal matters.

Requirements:

  • Australian‑qualified lawyer with a common law background and 10–15 years PQE gained across both private practice and in‑house roles.
  • Strong commercial contracting capability, ideally with experience in dams, gas, electricity, mining, energy or oil & gas.
  • Highly autonomous operator with proven ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects and communicate effectively with technical, commercial and executive teams.
  • High work ethic and strong compliance mindset, able to hit the ground running — candidates open to FIFO or hybrid travel arrangements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why Rejoin Axiom?

  • Flexibility: Choose assignments that fit your lifestyle and career goals.
  • Professional Growth: Continue to develop your expertise through diverse projects.
  • Community: Reconnect with a network of forward-thinking legal professionals.
  • Impact: Contribute to impactful work with leading global organizations.

 

Compensation, Benefits & Location:

This role offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package in the alternative legal services marketplace, that includes health benefits, pension and more.  Axiomites also get access to professional development resources and learning and development programs. Axiomites predominately work remotely, with the exception that some clients require on-site presence.

Axiom is the global leader in high-calibre, on-demand legal talent. Covering North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC, we enable legal departments to drive efficiency and growth and meet the demands of today’s business landscape with best in breed alterative legal services.

 Axiom is a leader in diversity, inclusion, and social engagement. Diversity is core to our values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be named a best place to work for LGBTQ+ Equality, earning top marks in the 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the second consecutive year. Axiom’s legal department is Mansfield certified and is committed to considering at least 50% diverse candidates for leadership roles and outside counsel representation.

 Learn more about working at Axiom.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Axiom ensures equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Axiom prohibits and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

We understand that many legal professionals have chosen to adopt the consultancy model, and we are happy to discuss this option with you. We offer both consultants and employees the opportunity to work with our enviable client roster.  Contact us in complete confidence to find out more about opportunities to work with Axiom as an employee or consultant.

Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities: Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Axiom will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in each stage of the recruitment process. To request an accommodation to complete the application form, please contact us at benefits@axiomlaw.com and include “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject line. 

Axiom respects your privacy. For an explanation of the kind of information we collect about you and how it is used, our full privacy notice is available at https://www.axiomlaw.com/privacy-notice

Employment with Axiom may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, providing proof of identity, and possessing the necessary legal authorization to work.

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that all information contained therein, and provided at any part of the application process, is correct and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

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