Chief Legal Counsel

Join Australia’s 3rd largest Council

Establish high-functioning legal services function

Exciting high-profile career opportunity

This recruitment process is being managed by the agency McArthur - please scroll down to see contact details for more information and to apply.

Located in the heart of Southeast Queensland, City of Moreton Bay is one of Australia’s most dynamic local government areas, ranking as the third largest and fastest growing in the nation. With a population forecast to exceed one million residents in the next three decades, this is a rare opportunity to help shape one of Australia’s most significant growth regions. Council is investing in the future with a record $1 billion budget for 2025/26, including over $400 million dedicated to capital infrastructure projects, while balancing growth with environmental stewardship and lifestyle. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly growing region while supporting sound governance, strong risk management and sustainable growth.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and leading a dedicated team of professionals, the Chief Legal Counsel will provide strategic legal leadership across Council. This senior executive role will be responsible for guiding Council on complex legal matters including commercial contracting, procurement, probity, property and planning, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. With accountability for a capital and operating budget of approximately $4 million and a team of around 14 staff, the role combines high-level technical expertise with organisational leadership. The role requires a high-calibre legal professional with the presence, resilience and maturity to advise confidently in a challenging political and organisational environment.

As a member of the Strategic Directions Group and Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Legal Counsel will contribute to whole-of-Council strategy, risk management, and governance. The position requires a leader who can build trust and credibility with Councillors, regulators, community groups, and government agencies, while ensuring Council is appropriately represented in courts, tribunals, and negotiations. Equally important will be fostering a high-performance and customer-focused culture, where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged and achieved.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished legal professional with extensive senior leadership experience in a large and complex organisation, preferably within the local government/broader public sector or equivalent senior roles in the private sector such as law firm partner or corporate counsel in a major organisation. Strong expertise in local government governance frameworks, legislation and regulatory bodies, with proven experience in prosecutions, commercial and contract law, planning, property, and environmental matters will be essential, as will demonstrated success in managing competing priorities and leading organisational change. Applicants must hold tertiary qualifications in Law and a current unrestricted Australian legal practicing certificate.

Exceptional communication and influencing skills, combined with high ethical standards and political acumen, are critical to success in this role. Equally important is the opportunity to establish a high-performing, modern legal services function in one of Australia’s fastest-growing Councils, while influencing an extraordinary breadth of legal matters, delivering a no-surprises, value-adding service to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

This is a career-defining opportunity for an experienced Chief Legal Counsel to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, while contributing to a vibrant and connected community.

To find out more about the opportunity and application process, please obtain a comprehensive Candidate Information Pack - visit https://jobs.mcarthur.com.au/mca/details/J8286/chief-legal-counsel

For a confidential discussion, call Julie Barr on (07) 3211 9700.

Applications close COB Monday 13 October 2025.