ASC is Australia’s submarine company. We built the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines, sustain them, and are now delivering their Life of Type Extension to increase the boats’ service lives. We have also been selected by the Australian Government to sustain and jointly build the nation’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines – the largest and most complex industrial undertaking in Australia’s history.
Our work is interesting and meaningful, contributing directly to Australia’s national security. We offer rewarding roles that provide the opportunity to grow your career, and the flexibility to balance life and work. A career at ASC is like no other, delivering a deeper purpose we can all be proud of.
About the Opportunity
ASC is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join our Legal Team. This role presents an excellent opportunity for an experienced Legal Counsel who is ready to step into a Senior Legal Counsel role, or for an established Senior Legal Counsel seeking to operate in a complex and highly regulated Defence environment. ASC will also consider strong Legal Counsel candidates with the capability and ambition to progress to Senior Legal Counsel within the role.
You will work closely with the ASC programs responsible for ongoing Collins Class Submarine sustainment, including the Collins Life of Type Extension, the provision of support to rotating nuclear powered submarines in Western Australia, and the sustainment of Australia’s future submarines.
The ASC Legal Team operates as a close‑knit, collegial team that values trust, professionalism, practical problem‑solving and mutual respect. The successful candidate will be someone who works well with others, contributes positively to team culture and ASC’s PRIDE values, and builds and maintains strong trusted relationships across the business.
This is a full-time opportunity based at our Henderson site in Western Australia.
Responsibilities
- Provide timely, pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice across ASC’s submarine sustainment programs and activities.
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, including procurement and supply arrangements, sponsorships, joint ventures, property matters and dispute‑related agreements.
- Support contract negotiation and delivery activities, including advising on risk allocation, compliance obligations and contractual interpretation.
- Advise senior stakeholders across the ASC business on legal issues, emerging risks and compliance considerations.
- Consult with and brief the Heads of Legal, and where required ASC’s General Counsel and Company Secretary, on material or high‑risk matters.
- Lead and facilitate contract negotiations with internal stakeholders and external counterparties, providing clear, project‑specific legal advice aligned with ASC’s strategic and operational objectives.
- Manage disputes and claims, including instructing, engaging and supervising external legal counsel as required.
- Maintain a strong understanding of relevant legislation, regulatory developments, contractual frameworks and best‑practice standards applicable to ASC and the Defence sustainment environment.
- Provide training, mentoring and guidance to junior lawyers and other ASC team members, contributing to legal capability and education across the business (no direct line management responsibilities initially).
This role is based in Western Australia (Henderson), while the broader ASC Legal Team is primarily located in South Australia (Osborne). As such, the successful candidate will be comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy while remaining closely connected to a collaborative, collegiate team environment.
You will proactively build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business and within the Legal Team, leveraging both in‑person engagement and remote collaboration. Occasional travel to South Australia will be required to support team cohesion, key projects and stakeholder engagement.
About You
You are a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys working in a team, partnering with the business and operating in a complex, operationally focused environment. You may already be operating at Senior Legal Counsel or Senior Associate level, or you may be a high‑performing Legal Counsel or Associate ready to step up.
You are self‑motivated and comfortable operating independently in a geographically dispersed team, with the ability to manage priorities, build trusted relationships and deliver high‑quality outcomes with minimal supervision. You take initiative, are proactive in engaging stakeholders, and thrive in environments where you are empowered to own matters end‑to‑end.
You value being part of a close‑knit and high‑performing legal team and actively contribute to a strong, connected culture, even when working remotely.
- Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (or equivalent).
- Eligible to practise law in South Australia and Western Australia.
- Minimum 5 years’ post‑admission experience.
- Strong working knowledge of commercial, intellectual property, project, corporate and/or contract law.
- High professional integrity, sound judgement and the ability to progressively operate with autonomy on high‑value matters.
- Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills.
Eligibility
This role requires a current National Police Clearance and an Australian Defence Security Clearance. Your eligibility for this role is dependent on you obtaining and maintaining such clearance.
Whilst ASC will accept all applications for this role, as this role requires an ability to access protected US defence technology, applicants holding nationality of certain foreign countries will not be eligible.
To check your eligibility please visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website.
Benefits
- Unique and challenging work with a deeper purpose.
- Flexibility over how, when and where you work for the best work/life balance.
- Up to 10 days additional leave every year so you can rest and recharge.
- Generous parental leave so you can give your family the focus it deserves.
- Subsidised childcare to ease the financial pressure on your family.
- Health and wellbeing initiatives so you can perform at your best at work.
- Professional development opportunities to advance your career.
- A diverse and supportive environment where you can thrive.
- Discounts and exclusive offers from leading Australian brands to help you save.
About ASC
ASC’s 2,400-plus staff offer a depth of submarine design, project management, supply chain, construction and engineering experience and expertise that is unparalleled in Australia’s defence industry. Established in 1985, the company’s work on Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine build and the Collins Class Life of Type Extension takes place in Osborne, South Australia, with sustainment shared across Osborne and Henderson, Western Australia. ASC also plays a leading role in training Royal Australian Navy submariners.
Please note: Candidates may be considered not only for the current vacancy but also for potential upcoming opportunities at ASC. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, as we are building a talent pool for future roles.
Apply today for a career with a deeper purpose.
Early applications are encouraged as shortlisting may commence immediately.
