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About the Company 

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

We operate in a geographically and climatically diverse service area, with sites and locations from Ceduna through to Port Augusta, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, across to the Riverland, down to Mount Gambier, and most places in between.

Our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we’re focused on understanding and meeting our customers’ expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact, and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About the job  

As Senior Legal Counsel, you will play a critical role in providing high-quality legal advice, case management and strategic guidance across SA Water. You will support the organisations operations, Board and leadership team by delivering practical and commercially sound legal solutions.

This role is responsible for managing complex legal matters, preparing and reviewing contracts, advising on compliance with legislation and negotiating key agreements.

You will work closely with senior leaders, project teams, and external stakeholders to ensure effective risk management and to implement systems and processes that support SA Water’s legal obligations. In addition, you will lead the provision of legal advice on Freedom of Information matters, ensuring accurate interpretation and application of relevant laws.

This is adynamic and highly influential position that requires strong technical expertise, the ability to build trusted relationships and a commitment to safeguarding the organisations legal and commercial interests. 

Requirements for this role will include a Law degree and admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia, along with an unrestricted practicing certificate in South Australia.

This position is a full-time ongoing role and reports directly to the General Counsel (Senior Manager, Legal, Compliance & Insurance).

About the Person

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated legal professional with demonstrated experience in providing clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice with a complex environment. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise across commercial law, contract law, litigation, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, with the ability to manage complex legal issues and negotiate successful outcomes.

You will bring excellent communication and influencing skills, enabling you to build trusted relationships with executives, project teams and leaders across SA Water.

In addition, your responsibilities will include: 

Fostering trust with our people, customers and community by providing expert advice and service that ensure we effectively communicate and engage audiences with our business strategy and its delivery across South Australia, every day. 

You will: 

• Provide appropriate legal advice, legal case management and legal drafting services, to SA Water business areas including the Board and CE or obtain external services i.e. Crown Solicitors Office to deliver when required.
• If required, act in other roles including the General Counsel (Senior Manager, Legal, Compliance and Insurance) therefore, requiring a reasonable knowledge of SA Water Board secretariat matters, compliance and insurance and stay abreast of key risks and processes in the respective areas.
• Act on behalf of SA Water in legal proceedings before courts and tribunals and provide representation during informal pre-action negotiations.
• Provide leadership and direction in the legal aspects of commercial matters for SA Water staff, including undertaking commercial negotiations.
• Provide high level legal advice and leadership on complex and sensitive legal matters to the CE, Executive and Senior Managers.
• Negotiate complex legal matters on behalf of SA Water.
• Provide high level advice on the interpretation and application of relevant legislation.
• Assist the SA Ombudsman or the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal conduct external reviews of SA Water FOI determinations.

Your success in this role will come from: 

• Law degree and admitted as legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia for a minimum of 8 years
• Unrestricted practising certificate in South Australia
• Demonstrated relevant experience in legal practice or as an in-house solicitor in a highly commercial environment
• Experience in advising on legislative and compliance issues
• Highly developed communication skills
• Experience in public sector and/or good working knowledge of government
• Demonstrated ability to analyse legal problems and determine and implement effective, practical, timely resolutions

Further information can be found in the attached PD – Senior Legal Counsel - PD

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume. For enquiries, please contact [NAME] from the Talent Acquisition team [EMAIL].

Applications close 11:55pm, 19 October 2025.

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au.

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.