General Counsel

Position Title: Legal Counsel Location: Sydney, New South Wales Reports To: Managing Director Employment Type: Full-time Permanent About the Role We are seeking an experienced General Legal Counsel to join our in‑house legal team providing strategic legal advice and support across our property development, design & construction and sales operations. This role will be instrumental in managing legal risk, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting the successful delivery of residential and commercial property projects across Sydney and New South Wales. Key Responsibilities Property Development & Planning – Provide comprehensive legal advice on all aspects of property development including site acquisitions, due diligence, development applications, planning agreements and dealings with local councils and state government agencies. Draft and negotiate development agreements, joint venture arrangements and other commercial arrangements relating to property development projects. Construction Contracts – Review consultant agreements and advise on contractual disputes, variations, defects liability issues and manage the resolution of construction‑related disputes through negotiation, mediation or other dispute resolution processes. Regulatory Compliance – Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation including the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Strata Schemes Development Act, Home Building Act, Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act and Work Health and Safety legislation. Monitor changes in property construction and planning legislation and advise the business on implications and required actions. Commercial & Property Transactions – Draft and negotiate sale contracts, option to purchase, heads of agreement and other property transaction documents. Advise on strata title matters, subdivision, consolidation and easements and manage relationships with external legal advisors where specialist advice is required. Finance & Investment Structuring – Provide legal support for bank lending arrangements, loan facilities and security documentation including mortgages, guarantees and general security agreements. Advise on investment structures for property development projects including equity arrangements, unit trusts and syndication structures and review and negotiate finance facility agreements and related documentation with financial institutions. Risk Management & Litigation – Identify, assess and mitigate legal risks across development and construction activities. Manage and coordinate external litigation and dispute resolution proceedings and provide strategic advice on dispute avoidance and resolution strategies. Corporate Support – Provide general corporate and commercial legal support including reviewing marketing materials, advising on corporate governance matters and supporting the business with contract templates, policies and procedures. Key Selection Criteria Essential Requirements Admission to practice as a solicitor in New South Wales with a current practising certificate. Minimum 5 years post‑admission experience with at least 3 years practising in property development and construction law. Strong technical knowledge of NSW planning, property and construction legislation and case law. Proven experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial and construction contracts. Experience with property sales transactions and off‑the‑plan sales arrangements. Knowledge of property development funding structures and investment arrangements. Experience with bank lending facilities, security documentation and finance agreements. Understanding of investment structuring for property development projects. Demonstrated ability to provide practical commercial legal advice to senior management. Strong risk management and problem‑solving capabilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships across all levels. Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Desirable Requirements Previous in‑house legal experience in property development or construction sector. Experience with residential strata developments and the Strata Schemes legislation. Knowledge of building defects litigation and construction dispute resolution. Understanding of project finance structures, syndication arrangements and investor documentation. Familiarity with Corporations Act requirements for managed investment schemes and fundraising. Experience with debt and equity structuring for property projects. Familiarity with environmental and sustainability issues in property development. Personal Attributes Pragmatic and commercially minded lawyer who can balance legal risk with business objectives. Proactive, solutions‑focused and able to communicate complex legal concepts in clear, accessible language. Thrives in collaborative environments and can build strong working relationships with developers, project managers, contractors and external stakeholders. Demonstrates sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure while managing competing deadlines. What We Offer Competitive salary package commensurate with experience. Professional development opportunities. Exposure to diverse and challenging property development projects. Collaborative and supportive team environment. Modern Chatswood office location. Application Process To apply please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria to the hiring team. Reference: Legal Counsel – General. Key Skills General Counsel Legal Case Management Legal Drafting Litigation Intellectual Property Law Legal Research Securities Law Employment & Labor Law Real Estate Law Negotiation Contracts #J-18808-Ljbffr