- Support a major infrastructure project with your legal expertise
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Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
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Provide legal advice across procurement, contracting, and project delivery
An exceptional opportunity has become available for a commercially minded and experienced Senior Legal Counsel to play a pivotal role in one of Australia's most significant aviation infrastructure projects, Melbourne Airport's Third Runway Program.
As Senior Legal Counsel, Third Runway Program, you will provide dedicated legal support across Melbourne Airport's Third Runway Project (M3R), the Noise Amelioration Program (NAP), and other major associated projects. Working at the forefront of this landmark development, you will help shape the legal strategy for a multi-billion dollar infrastructure program, ensuring robust commercial and contractual frameworks while navigating complex aviation, planning, environmental, safety and regulatory requirements.
Reporting to the General Counsel, with a dotted-line into Commercial Director M3R, you will operate within a matrix structure as an embedded legal partner to the Third Runway Project while maintaining close collaboration with the broader Legal team. Working closely with the Executive Director M3R and senior stakeholders across Commercial, Finance and Delivery, you will provide trusted strategic advice, manage legal risk, support high-value negotiations, advise on complex claims and disputes, and enable timely, well-informed decision-making that protects Melbourne Airport's legal and commercial interests.
Explore how we are thinking big with exciting projects like the Third Runway, state-of-the-art terminals, and thriving business park developments. You can also learn more about life at Melbourne Airport – our culture, values, and what makes us unique at https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/corporate/our-culture-and-values. Join us in shaping the future of aviation as we propel Melbourne Airport towards becoming Australia's favourite Airport destination.
Key responsibilities:
The role's duties and accountabilities include, but are not limited to:
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Review and advise on head contracts, early works contracts, consultant agreements, notices, and key supply/service agreements.
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Support procurement activities, including tender conditions, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation for future works and services.
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Develop contract administration tools, including manuals, pro-forma notices, and guidance materials.
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Provide legal advice on contract administration issues such as extensions of time, variations, delays, defects, and performance matters.
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Assess contractor and consultant claims, including entitlement, quantum, and defence strategies.
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Support negotiation and drafting of amendments, settlement deeds, and dispute resolution agreements.
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Advise on compliance with applicable aviation, planning, building, and environmental laws.
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Provide guidance on airport-environs and noise-related planning controls impacting surrounding communities.
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Identify and manage legal risks across the program lifecycle, including Design & Construct matters, third-party claims, insurance, and liability.
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Ensure alignment with standard operating procedures and project documentation.
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Deliver training and guidance to project, finance, and commercial teams on key contract and risk management obligations.
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Provide ad hoc legal review and analysis, including Major Development Plan Conditions in the context of the Noise Amelioration Program.
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Review head contracts, early works contracts, notices, consultant agreements, and key supply/service contracts for the Melbourne Airport 3rd Runway Program.
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Support the Melbourne Airport Project team with future tender conditions, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation for works and services yet to be procured.
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Provide detailed analysis and appropriate recommendations regarding legal issues that may arise during program delivery.
The successful candidate will have:
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Law degree and admission to practice in Australia (or equivalent with capacity to practise in Victoria).
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Minimum of 10 years PQE, ideally with some experience in an in-house or corporate environment.
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Demonstrated experience as a projects / construction lawyer on large scale infrastructure or aviation projects.
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Strong understanding of construction contract law, including Australian Standard suite of documents (in particular AS-4902 D&C) and familiarity with Security of Payment Act payment and adjudication regimes.
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Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and drafting skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into commercially focused advice.
We understand that not everyone will feel they meet all of these 100%. However, if you feel you have the attitude and aptitude to grow within our team, we invite you to apply and have a conversation with us about this position.
About the Company:
Melbourne Airport (Australia Pacific Airports Corporation) is proud to be one of Australia's premier transport hubs and Victoria's gateway to the world, connecting us to the global marketplace. We are committed to creating connections that matter and enhancing the traveller experience across every aspect of our organisation to deliver our vision of becoming Australia's favourite Airport destination. Currently, in an exciting phase of change, we are delivering rewarding career opportunities, making Melbourne Airport a dynamic and fast-paced place to work for our people.
APAC is a majority Australian-owned private company that also operates Launceston Airport, the tourism gateway to Tasmania and an industry multi-award-winning airport.
Culture and Values:
By joining the team at Melbourne Airport, you will work within a friendly, high-performance culture with a focus on our people and their development.
Our vision is to become Australia's favourite Airport destination and our people are paramount to achieving this success. We provide a supportive environment, with values that encourage all of our employees to Be You, Think Big, Own it and Work Together.
Benefits:
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Free access to Higher State, our state-of-the-art Fitness Club & Wellness Hub at Novotel & ibis Styles Airport hotel.
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Airport car parking 24 hours/365 days a year for both business and personal use
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Hybrid flexible working arrangements
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Airport Holiday, an additional day of leave
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Wellness Day, a further additional day of leave
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Discounted onsite childcare at Creative Garden Early Learning
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Mental health and well-being initiatives, including Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Long-term career and professional development opportunities
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Active social culture and participation in a range of social impact days and activities
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Signature Experiences including an airfield family day
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Access to an employee benefits scheme including access to corporate rates and airport retailer discounts (including SkyBus)
APAC is committed to weaving Diversity into our DNA. We believe that Diversity and Inclusion will help us realise our greatest potential as a company, and maximise the potential of all our team members. We strive to create a culture where our team members understand that each individual is unique and that embracing diversity makes us more flexible, productive, and creative.
APAC provides equal opportunity and advancement in employment regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, cultural background, caring responsibilities, disability or socioeconomic background. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our workplace values of Being You, Thinking Big, Owning It and Working Together.
