Legal Counsel

• $137,251 + up to 17% Superannuation 
• Salary packaging of up to $18,500 p.a.
• Full-time, Fixed-Term
• Additional leave days

The role

The role is a 13-month fixed-term contract for the role of Legal Counsel at the Florey.

The Legal Counsel will provide assistance to Florey researchers, professional support services and broader management in business development and legal strategies.

The Legal Counsel will provide legal review and advice on research and general business-related contracts and will be responsible for contract preparation, drafting and associated legal services. This position will be responsible for matter management, often being the first point of contact for Florey researchers, administrative staff and external clients, and will liaise with the various stakeholders, both internally and externally involved in relevant matters.

Key Responsibilities

The candidate will be responsible for:

Legal

• Support the Legal Office, institute researchers and colleagues in commercialisation and professional services to provide advice and legal support for the institutes research and objectives.
• Perform a triage role and be a first point of contact for research staff and external customers in the legal and document review process.
• Review, draft and negotiate a variety of agreements, including confidentiality, consulting services, research, grants, sub-contracts, data licence, copyright, service, collaboration and material transfer agreements.
• Monitor all legal matters with responsibility for time to respond and backlog of management of issues.
• Provide advice to the organisation on appropriate contracting pathways.
• Work constructively with internal and external stakeholders to finalise agreements, engaging with other professional service teams such as grants, finance and commercialisation.
• Develop positive working relationships with internal clients and external partners.
• Promote awareness of legal and commercial issues associated with medical research and commercialisation.
• Assist as required with the development and delivery of training to staff and students.
• Assist as required to promote and facilitate a smooth end to end contracting process

Governance/Policy Compliance

• Support the Florey’s activities in relation to corporate governance & policy compliance.
• Establish and/or update existing policies, procedures and governance processes to facilitate consistency in the institute’s approach to compliance, contractual, insurance and legal risk.
• As required, provide training and education to staff across research and professional services in respect of compliance processes and procedures.

Other

• Communicate effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team to reach objectives, establishing networks with other teams and professionals in your field.

General

Support the collective vision and mission of the Florey through:

• open and collaborative communication that promotes positive and respectful relationships.
• fostering and supporting innovation within the team and broader Institute teams.
• excellence in practice driven by a focus on equity, diversity and inclusivity.

Detailed information and key responsibilities are available from the Position Description.

The role attracts an annual salary offer of $137,251 (Professional Staff Level 10A), commensurate with experience.

About you:

The successful candidate will have:

• Undergraduate degree and postgraduate qualifications in law
• Admitted to legal practice in Victoria
• 5+years PAE
• Excellent attention to detail and time management skills
• Strong communication skills
• High level organisation and analytical skills
• Relevant experience in the drafting, reviewing and amendment of research contracts (funding agreements, MTAs, collaboration agreements, research services agreements, clinical trial agreements etc).
• Previous experience advising clients within the education, medical research or life sciences, medtech, pharmaceutical or health sectors.
• Experience advising on data privacy & clinical trials.

Experience with the below is desirable, but not essential:

• Experience in a research environment.
• Inhouse experience within in a research/science environment, University or Biomedical field.
• Experience in legal process and systems management.
• Postgraduate qualifications in law, governance or compliance.

How to Apply

If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with a Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience and your Resume. Please note that you are not required to respond to the selection criteria in the Position Description.

Applications are to be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 29th April.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. You may also be asked to consent to a criminal record check.

Working at the Florey:
With a 50-year history, the Florey is the largest brain research centre in the Southern Hemisphere, with teams of researchers dedicated to building knowledge on a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions.  https://florey.edu.au/our-research/impact/

Our reputation for innovative research and our position as the leading brain research institute in the Southern Hemisphere attracts the best and brightest.

The Florey is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

We also provide flexible leave entitlements including purchased leave, gender affirmation leave, ceremonial leave along with additional non-gazetted Florey holidays.

Learn more about working at the Florey at https://florey.edu.au/careers-and-study/working-at-the-florey/

For enquiries, please contact our People and Culture Team on employment@florey.edu.au.