We are looking for a Head of Legal to join the HRV's Integrity and Risk Team.This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel who is ready for the next career progression to Head of Legal!

About Us

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV ) is a statutory body whose role is to oversee all harness racing activity in Victoria.

Our mission is to deliver the most sought-after and accessible harness racing that produces financial sustainability, ensures clubs arethe heart of their communities and provides equal opportunities for all participants to compete. (Further information about HRV can be found at The Trots - Home of the Trots in Victoria)

We also operate a racetrack, accommodation, and entertainment complex (hotel accommodation, functions, bars, and gaming) which is situated in Melton and trading as Melton Entertainment Park (MEP ).

Our Values

Purpose: Act with clear intent, consistency, and alignment to core objectives.

Respect: Extend it unconditionally; earn it through integrity and accountability.

Innovate: Strive for meaningful progress through thoughtful, transformative change.

Deliver: Fulfill every commitment with reliability, precision, and excellence.

Empathy: Seek to understand others by thoughtfully considering their perspectives and experiences.

The role leads HRV's legal services and risk functions, and provides oversight of legal risk, compliance and governance support, ensuring statutory obligations are met, and organisational risks are appropriately managed. The position supports the Executive Leadership Team and Board by protecting HRV's legal interests and contributing to sound governance and decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational legal advice across corporate, commercial, racing, regulatory and media matters, including support for new initiatives, projects and organisational decision-making.

Lead the delivery of legal services across a broad range of areas, includinglitigation, contracts and commercial law, consumer law, privacy and freedom of information, intellectual property, and relevant legislation, including the Racing Act 1958 and Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

Provide legal, governance, risk and policy advice to the Executive Leadership Team, Board and Board sub-committees, and contribute to informed decision-making on matters affecting HRV and the wider harness racing industry.





Support the development and oversight of compliance, risk management and insurance frameworks, including monitoring, reporting and audit activities, to promote effective governance and management of organisational risk.

Oversee legal input into organisational policies and frameworks relating to governance, compliance, insurance and occupational health and safety, ensuring alignment with legislative obligations and contemporary practice.

Support oversight of HRV’s occupational health and safety systems and compliance arrangements, promoting safe and compliant working environments.

Lead strategic legal and governance projects and contribute to initiatives aligned with HRV’s strategic plan and key organisational priorities.

Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, industry bodies and external advisers, to support HRV’s objectives and reputation.

Lead, develop and build the capability of the Legal, Risk and Governance team to deliver high-quality, responsive and contemporary services.

Oversee the management and review of insurance arrangements, in collaboration with Finance and insurers, to support appropriate organisational coverage and risk management.

Drive continuous improvement across legal, governance and risk functions through collaboration, innovation and effective stakeholder engagement.

Maintain financial accountability for the area of responsibility, including budget oversight and resource allocation.

Qualifications and Experience

- Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor and be admitted to legal practice in Victoria with a current practising certificate
- Minimum 10 years’ post-admission experience in legal practice, including substantial experience in corporate, regulatory, governance or administrative law relevant to the organisation.
- Demonstrable and sound skills in drafting legal documents,



preparing briefs and assessing evidentiary materials in legal proceedings and/or domestic tribunals
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and or evidence of management experience in a risk and governance function and specialist contemporary knowledge, understanding and experience of risk management, governance, reporting and audit and legislative requirements
- A background of emotionally intelligent management experience, engaging and developing adaptable, partnership and outcomes-focused teams
- Evidence of legal, risk and governance management and analysis, strategy development and implementation that effectively informs strategic decision making

Skills and Attributes

- Proven engagement and relationship building skills and the ability to represent the organisation in this position
- Evidence of sound consultation, communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with others, negotiate, advocate and exercise influence in various situations
- Proven ability to participate collaboratively and constructively in both management and participant roles within teams, as well as initiative and effective personal judgement when working alone
- Evidence of solutions focus and innovative thinking, ability to assess options and identify and implement creative solutions and provide informed advice

Other Requirements

- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the embedding of HRV's values, mission and vision
- Current valid Victorian motor vehicle driver's licence
- Current valid Victorian Working with Children Check
- Satisfactory police background, reference checks and probity checks
- Consent to have a Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) Check

What We Offer

- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee Assistance Program
- Discounted health insurance
- Free on-site parking

Harness Racing Victoria are an Equal Opportunity and Child Safe employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to child safety and supporting the best interests of children in all our operations. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining people from a diverse background, including but not limited to, those identifying as LGBTIQ, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and people with a disability.

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📌 Head of Legal (Melbourne)
🏢 Harness Racing Victoria
📍 Melbourne