Principal Lawyer – Commercial, Infrastructure and Projects

Location 452 Flinders Street, Melbourne

Employment Type Permanent Full Time

Group Office of the General Counsel

Job Code 705381

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Principal Lawyer – Commercial, Infrastructure and Projects

• Play a vital role in helping to shape major rail projects across Victoria’s regional rail network
• Ability to work across a broad variety of legal issues
• Senior advisory role with genuine autonomy and executive exposure
• Collaborative and supportive team culture and flexible working environment
• Meaningful public sector contribution, without private practice billable pressures

V/Line’s purpose is to connect Victorians through safe, reliable, and accessible transport. We believe in giving all Victorians opportunities through travel and transport – connecting them to jobs, education, family and friends, services, tourism and trade.

V/Line is experiencing significant growth and we’re delivering more services, more trains, cheaper fares, and huge projects. With more than 3700 weekly train and coach services, an expansive freight network and unprecedented rail investment, millions of Victorians depend on us to deliver. You could be one of our 3100 committed team members who are up to the challenge.

About the role

With strong growth across the business and increasing demand for legal expertise, our legal function is entering a new phase of strategic growth and influence. This growth will see you join a highly collaborative environment where your voice matters, growth is encouraged, and you’ll help shape the future of a respected and evolving legal function.

Our Principal Lawyer – Commercial, Infrastructure and Projects (CIP) will be responsible for managing legal risk across V/Line’s corporate, commercial, construction and infrastructure activities.

This autonomous role provides end-to-end legal advice across the rail project lifecycle, including major inter-agency state projects that directly impact the reliability and safety of V/Line’s operations. You will partner with internal stakeholders and other government agencies, aligning legal strategy with business objectives while managing multiple matters in a fast-paced environment.

With a strong commercial focus, you will deliver strategic and practical advice to support complex negotiations and key contractual arrangements. You will also provide specialist guidance to delivery and operational teams, particularly in construction and infrastructure.

In addition, you will contribute more broadly across the business, advising areas such as Projects, Procurement, Commercial and Asset Maintenance. While the role has no direct reports, it plays an important part in mentoring and developing team members.

About you

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following key selection criteria within their application, as this forms part of our merit-based recruitment process:

· Must possess 5+ years post admission experience and hold (or eligible to immediately hold) an unrestricted Practising Certificate

· Experience across construction, infrastructure and major projects, with a keen interest in the rail and transport sectors

· Strong technical skills coupled with the ability to provide solutions focused legal advice in a practical, commercial and government context

· Established experience building relationships and effectively communicating with a variety of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority

· Excellent attention to detail and advanced drafting and communication skills, both written and verbal

· Tertiary qualifications in Law (LLB or JD)

Salary for this position is commensurate to the successful candidate’s aligned skills and experience to the position.

Why V/Line

In addition to free myki travel, we offer:

• Community impact – Make a genuine difference. Work in a role that connects Victorians, every day.
• Huge potential – We’re transforming, and you can too. Be a change maker, recognised for your contribution and creativity.
• Dynamic environment – V/Line operates in a constantly changing space. Join a fast-paced and exciting organisation.
• Collaborative team – You’ll be part of a broader supportive team. Surround yourself with talented, passionate peers.
• Flexible working – We support flexible working. Work in a way that supports you to thrive in your role.

We are committed to ensuring a comfortable and accessible recruitment experience. If you need any adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements at any stage of the process, please contact our Talent team at [email protected] or 1800 800 007 for confidential support.

As an equal opportunity employer, V/Line is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace and network that reflects the communities we serve. We accept and value the contributions of all our employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. We are also proud to be endorsed by Work 180 as a great place for women to work, second year in a row.

V/Line are proud to be a part of the Department of Transport & Planning's Yani Bangal Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Careers Strategy 2023-2028. We take this opportunity to welcome and encourage applications from First Peoples.

At V/Line, safety is our priority. Successful applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment and medical checks to meet our safeworking standards.