Job Description At a Glance Work type: 35 hours per week Salary: $202,****** to $224,******+ 12% superannuation Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent Closing date: 9pm, Sunday 13 September **** The City of Parramatta is in the midst of significant growth and transformation.
With a community that brings together many cultures, skills and stories, a changing skyline and new investments, this is an exciting time to be part of the journey.
Parramatta **** gives us a clear picture of where we're heading; a connected, creative and sustainable City with opportunities for everyone.
Every role at City of Parramatta contributes to this next chapter, helping us build a strong, thriving Parramatta for the people who live, work and spend time here.
About the role The Principal Solicitor is Council's senior legal advisor, leading the delivery of high-quality legal services and providing strategic legal, governance and risk advice to Council, the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Leadership Team.
The position is responsible for managing legal risk, ensuring compliance with legislative obligations, and driving the continuous improvement of Council's legal function through contemporary legal practice, effective risk management and high professional standards.
This role offers exposure to a diverse range of legal matters across one of Australia's fastest-growing metropolitan councils, including major city-shaping projects, strategic property initiatives, governance, regulatory matters, employment law and litigation.
As Parramatta continues to grow as Central Sydney's economic and cultural capital, this position provides the opportunity to influence significant projects and decisions that help shape the future of the city.
In this role you will: Lead and manage Council's Legal Team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality in-house legal services across regulatory compliance, property, employment, litigation, governance, and privacy matters.
Provide strategic legal advice to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership Team and Council on complex and diverse legal, governance, and risk-related issues.
Oversee and manage litigation and dispute resolution, including matters before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Local Court, Land and Environment Court, and other tribunals.




Ensure legal compliance and governance by overseeing leases, licences, notices, orders, transactions, public information access, privacy obligations, and media communications.
Manage external legal service providers and lead cross-functional legal initiatives, ensuring effective legal representation, value for money, and consistent legal advice across Council.
What's on offer We are offering a permanent full time opportunity, with a competitive remuneration package from $202,****** to $224,****** plus 12% superannuation .
Your employee experience with City of Parramatta includes: Flexibility: Hybrid working conditions, flexi‐time scheme, additional leave over the Christmas period Leave: 14 weeks paid parental leave, 15 days personal leave, Long service leave after 5 years Wellbeing: Employee led networks (ERGs), Fitness passport, Flu vaccinations, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Ongoing wellbeing initiatives, Health insurance discounts.
Location Convenience: Central Parramatta location, discounted parking, Novated leasing available Growth: Learning and development programs, leadership pathways, free LinkedIn Learning About you The successful candidate is someone who has: Extensive experience in local government specifically in relation to administrative, planning, property contract and/or commercial law.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing legal teams and managing relationships with senior executives, elected representatives and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience providing authoritative, expert and strategic legal and policy advice on a range of complex and sensitive matters including conducting litigation.
Demonstrated ability to reason conceptually, negotiate effectively and to solve complex problems and high priority issues.
High level of understanding of the legislative,



operational and political structure of local governments and all required legislative obligations To be considered for this role, you must meet the essential requirements in the Position Description, including: Qualifications/Licences: Bachelor of Laws or post graduate equivalent and minimum 10+ years PQE Current NSW Practising Certificate Want to know more?
Review our Values Flyer to learn more about the behaviours that guide how we work.
Further details about this role can be found in the Position Description.
For a confidential discussion, please contact the Recruitment Team via *************************************** How to apply Applications must be submitted online by 9pm, Sunday 13 September **** .
Applications submitted by other means will not be accepted.
Please upload: Current resume and cover letter addressing the Position Description.
Please note: Candidates who do not meet the essential qualification and licence requirements may not progress through the recruitment process.
This position requires the preferred candidate to undergo the below pre-employment compliance checks: Criminal history check: A criminal history does not necessarily disqualify a prospective candidate from selection.
The City of Parramatta supports a drug and alcohol ‐ free working environment.
Employees may be subject to random testing.
How we work: Inclusion Belonging At the City of Parramatta, inclusion and belonging are central to how we work.
We're building a workforce that reflects our diverse community and value different perspectives and lived experiences.
We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living with disability, people of all ages, women, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, ADF veterans, and others who bring unique perspectives.
We are committed to a fair, inclusive, and accessible recruitment process and support reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment – contact *************************************** for a confidential discussion.
Eligibility: Please note you must be an Australian or Current Zealand citizen or a permanent resident in Australia to apply for this position.
Applicants holding valid visas may be considered for Casual or Term contracts subject to their visa work conditions.

📌 Principal Solicitor (Sydney)
🏢 Parramatta City Council
📍 Sydney