Full-time, 12-month contract LEC3 - $120,018 - $130,919 plus superannuation

Do you:

- have significant experience providing practical, solutions-focused legal advice on complex regulatory, administrative or corporate matters?
- enjoy interpreting legislation, undertaking legal research and supporting sound, evidence-based decision-making in a collaborative workplace?
- have a desire to experience the opportunities that come from working in an in-house environment by contributing flexibly across governance, regulatory, compliance and policy functions?
- appreciate flexibility and the option to undertake hybrid working?

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join the Essential Services Commission of South Australia as our Principal Legal Advisor. This varied in-house role extends beyond traditional legal advisory work and provides opportunities to contribute to corporate governance, internal assurance and audit, regulatory and policy work.

About the role

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Principal Legal Advisor provides expert, practical and solutions-focused legal advice across the Commission’s regulatory and corporate functions. The position undertakes complex legal research and analysis, supports regulatory compliance investigations and enforcement matters, and provides advice on legislation, governance, contracts and corporate policies.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Legal advice : Provide expert, practical and solutions-focused advice on complex regulatory, corporate and governance matters.
- Compliance and enforcement : Advise on complex compliance investigations,



regulatory actions and enforcement proceedings involving potential breaches by regulated entities.
- Statutory interpretation : Interpret legislation and provide advice on its application to the Commission’s functions and decision-making.
- Corporate governance : Develop and review corporate policies, procedures and frameworks and provide advice to support organisational compliance and a strong governance culture.
- Contracts and information access : Provide advice on significant contracts and agreements and manage Freedom of Information applications.
- External legal services : Engage and direct external legal advisers, experts and consultants as required.
- Research and emerging issues : Monitor legal and governance developments relevant to economic regulation and the Commission’s work.

About you

To be successful in this position, you will need to demonstrate:

- Legal qualifications and admission: Tertiary qualifications in Law and a current unrestricted Category C Practising Certificate issued under the Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (SA), or equivalent, or the ability to apply for and immediately obtain one.
- Legal experience: A minimum of three years’ post-admission full-time equivalent experience as a legal practitioner.
- Legal analysis and advice:



Significant experience undertaking legal and policy research and analysis and providing high-quality, evidence-based and solutions-focused legal advice across a wide variety of regulatory and corporate functions and obligations.
- Administrative and regulatory law: Strong experience in administrative law, statutory interpretation, government decision-making, corporate governance and the interpretation and application of legislation and policy.
- Communication skills: High-quality written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise and accessible legal advice, briefings, contracts, policies, reports and correspondence.
- Judgement and initiative: The ability to think analytically, creatively and laterally, exercise independent judgement and proactively identify and address legal risks with a high standard of integrity.
- Stakeholder engagement: Strong consultation, negotiation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Planning and organisation: The ability to prioritise work, manage competing demands and deliver multiple projects and tasks within deadlines.
- Use of technology: Experience using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and effectiveness and support lawful, evidence-based decision-making along with digital literacy in using office-based systems and databases.
- Values-driven approach: A genuine commitment to the Commission’s core values: accountability, collaboration, agility, respe

📌 Principal Legal Advisor (Adelaide)
🏢 Essential Services Commission of South Australia
📍 Adelaide