Head of Legal and General Counsel

Organization icon

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Location icon

Sydney, Australia

Apply now

Be bold. Be creative. Be part of the fight for a green and peaceful future.


At Greenpeace Australia Pacific (GPAP), we believe a better world is possible and we’re determined to make it real. We are an independent campaigning organisation, powered by people and creative action, taking on the biggest environmental and climate challenges of our time. Our priorities are:


  • tackling climate change by stopping emissions from fossil fuel extraction at source; and
  • protecting nature, including our oceans and forests, by stopping the largest sources of environmental destruction like industrial fishing and deforestation.


Whatever your role at GPAP, you’ll be part of something bigger: a passionate global movement that sparks action, holds decision‑makers to account, and drives lasting change for people and the planet. This is an opportunity to use your skills, creativity, and commitment to help shape a future worth fighting for.


HEAD OF LEGAL AND GENERAL COUNSEL

Role: Full time, Permanent position

Location: Open to candidates Australia wide

Required:

  • A University Degree in Law.
  • A current, unrestricted Practising Certificate in an Australian jurisdiction.


THE OPPORTUNITY


As the Head of Legal and General Counsel (HoLGC), you will lead the legal function across all of GPAP. This isn't your average corporate gig. You will drive massive impact across three core pillars:


  • Governance: Strengthening the systems, integrity, risk management and compliance frameworks that support our operations.
  • Performance: Empowering teams to achieve strategic objectives efficiently and effectively.
  • Justice: Leading legal strategies to proactively advance environmental campaigns, while fiercely defending our right to advocate and protest.


You will act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, CEO, COO, and the GPAP Board, while managing a direct report (Legal Counsel) and a network of pro bono and external legal partners.


THE ROLE


The key responsibilities can be broken down into 3 key areas:


Campaign Legal Support and Civic Space Defense

  • Provide high quality, timely, risk-based legal advice to campaign teams, including reviewing public communications for legal risk (e.g., defamation, consumer law).
  • Oversee and manage defensive litigation and strategic legal proceedings, selecting and briefing external counsel when required.
  • Act as a legal spokesperson for campaign-related and organisational matters where appropriate.
  • Build partnerships with pro bono legal providers and secure litigation funding opportunities.
  • Provide strategic legal recommendations regarding anti-protest and anti-charities legislation to protect GPAP's civic space and advocacy capacity.

Governance, Risk and Executive Advisory

  • Provide trusted, high-level legal and governance advice to the Board, CEO, and Leadership Team.
  • Maintain and enhance our contract management system; review and negotiate commercial contracts; advise on privacy and data protection issues, and protect Greenpeace's intellectual property.
  • Develop internal systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective delivery of legal services.
  • Oversee organisational compliance, working closely with Finance and People & Culture (P&C) on risk mitigation, insurance renewals, and complex bequests/estates.
  • Manage and optimise legal spend, including on external providers.

Performance and Workplace Integrity

  • Review and advise on employment contracts, Enterprise Agreement bargaining, internal employment matters and organisational policies.
  • Act as an Integrity Officer, embedding integrity frameworks across the organisation and overseeing internal policy investigations.
  • Train, support, and supervise volunteers, legal students, and internal staff on legal risks and policies.


THE IDEAL CANDIDATE


We are looking for a strategic thinker and problem solver with the ability to give risk-based and pragmatic legal advice in a high-pressure, fast-paced campaigning environment. Someone who is a great communicator, comfortable engaging with donors and presenting to Board members or the media.


Someone with strong leadership and management experience with the proven ability to lead a legal function, manage budgets, and foster deep collaborative relationships internally and externally. And someone who will apply a strong mission focus to all aspects of their role.


You’ll ideally also have:

  • 7+ years of experience as a practicing lawyer (experience in private practice and/or an in-house NGO environment is highly regarded).
  • Proven experience conducting and/or managing litigation, and advising on governance, administration, or compliance.
  • Deep knowledge of corporate law, contract law, consumer law, intellectual property, defamation, and employment law.
  • Strong understanding of charity law and associated regulatory frameworks (highly desirable).
  • A clear understanding of how the law can be used strategically as a vehicle for social change.


We recognise that sometimes the right person for a job is based on personal qualities and not just qualifications. If you are not sure whether you are qualified, we would strongly encourage you to make an inquiry or go ahead and apply.


WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU


  • Be part of a globally respected brand: Work with one of the most influential names in the environmental NGO space, backed by five decades of courageous campaigning.
  • Work-life balance you can rely on: A 35-hour work week, supported by GPAP’s integrity framework, plus generous leave options (including an additional week of paid leave between Christmas and New Year).
  • Workplace designed for impact: Enjoy our purpose-built head office in Rosebery, Sydney, a space created to foster collaboration and creativity.
  • A culture of belonging: Join a team that truly celebrates inclusivity, diversity, and a sense of community.
  • Support for your wellbeing: Access an annual health and wellness allowance and Breather Days to help you thrive both inside and outside of work.


Annual full-time salary: $154,455.33 per annum plus 12% superannuation.


HOW TO APPLY


  1. Read the full Job Description.
  2. Submit a Cover Letter (of no more than 1 page) and Resume (of no more than 3 pages) by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.
  3. Applicants who do not submit a Cover Letter will not be considered.


GPAP is an equal opportunity employer with a longstanding commitment of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual. We recognise and value the benefits and strengths that diversity brings to our employees and the whole organisation and we thrive in an environment that encourages respect and trust.


Note: Not all responsibilities and competencies listed in the Job Description need to be addressed; it is left to the discretion of the applicant which to focus on.


We respectfully request that Recruitment Agencies do not submit applications for this position.


Applications close on 30th June 2026.