Legal Counsel

Req ID:  6622
Date:  13 Feb 2026
Site:  VCCC (Parkville)
Location: 

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company:  Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Unit:  General Counsel
Division:  Chief Executive
Department:  General Counsel
Enterprise Agreement:  Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administr
General Counsel

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

 

Legal Counsel

  • Ongoing, full time opportunity
  • 80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs
  • Parkville location, with flexible, hybrid working
  • $115,000 - $125,000 + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave 

 

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

 

About the role

 

The role of Legal Counsel will assist General Counsel and provide professional legal services and advice to Peter Mac.

The role is responsible for advising on legal matters to support all areas of Peter Mac, including commercial contracts (including research contracts), research-related matters, medico-legal matters and health law matters (including privacy and freedom of information).

The incumbent will be an experienced lawyer with 2-4 years’ experience working in-house or at a law firm, and hold demonstrable commercial contracting experience and an ability to provide legal advice efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

 

About you

 

The successful applicant will be a qualified legal practioner (admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and holding a current unrestricted practicing certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board) with at least 2-4 years’ experience as a lawyer working in-house or at a medium-to-large law firm, with demonstrable commercial contracting experience and a proven ability to provide ad hoc advice on a wide array of legal matters.

 

You'll bring with you:

  • Demonstrated knowledge in some areas of law applicable to Peter Mac and a keen willingness to consolidate expertise in these areas, such as medico-legal, research contracts and health law (including privacy and freedom of information).
  • Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities and diverse stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment without compromising attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative, including with respect to improving operational processes and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate contracts, partnerships and relationships.

 

A knowledge or keen willingness to develop expertise in intellectual property, research-related matters, medico-legal matters and/or health law (including privacy and freedom of information).

 

Our benefits

 

We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

  • Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
  • Discounted health insurance and eye care
  • A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
  • Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
  • Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
  • Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
  • Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & ADOs
  • Flexible, hybrid working practices

 

Inclusion and belonging

 

Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

 

Join us!

 

If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

 

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

 

Hiring Manager: Melanie Harper, General Counsel 

Contact Number: 03 8559 5080 

Email: Melanie.Harper@petermac.org

 

Applications Close: 1 March 2026
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Position Summary

The role of Legal Counsel will assist General Counsel and provide professional legal services and advice to Peter Mac.

The role is responsible for advising on legal matters to support all areas of Peter Mac, including commercial contracts (including research contracts), research-related matters, medico-legal matters and health law matters (including privacy and freedom of information).

The incumbent will be an experienced lawyer with 2-4 years’ experience working in-house or at a law firm, and hold demonstrable commercial contracting experience and an ability to provide legal advice efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Enterprise Agreement

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Adminstrative Workers

Classification or Salary Range

Grade 4: HS4

Immunisation Risk Category

Category C: Position within a non-clinical setting. 

Key Relationships

Internal
  • Peter Mac Executive
  • Peter Mac Research Executive
  • Peter Mac Research Associate Directors
  • Peter Mac Health Information Services
  • Peter Mac Clinical Staff (including related operations departments)
  • Peter Mac Commercialisation and Innovation
  • Peter Mac Procurement
  • Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU)
  • Peter Mac Information Management and Communication Technology
External
  • Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance
  • Cell Therapies Pty Ltd
  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation
  • External research organisations and funding bodies (including universities)
  • Hospitals (including Parkville Precinct hospital lawyers)
  • Government Departments
  • Pharmaceutical and biotech companies
  • External suppliers and service providers
  • External lawyers and law firms

 

Education

Skills

Essential Requirements
  • Qualified legal practitioner – admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and holding a current unrestricted practicing certificate from the Victorian Legal Services Board.
  • At least 2-4 years’ experience as a lawyer working in-house or at a medium-to-large law firm, with demonstrable commercial contracting experience and a proven ability to provide ad hoc advice on a wide array of legal matters.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in some areas of law applicable to Peter Mac and a keen willingness to consolidate expertise in these areas, such as medico-legal, research contracts and health law (including privacy and freedom of information).
  • Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities and diverse stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment without compromising attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative, including with respect to improving operational processes and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate contracts, partnerships and relationships.
Desirable Requirements
  • Demonstrable knowledge or keen willingness to develop expertise in intellectual property, research-related matters, medico-legal matters and/or health law (including privacy and freedom of information).
  • An understanding of the key legislation, regulatory requirements and contracting modalities for research conducted in Australia.

 

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators
1. Strategic Responsibilities
  • Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies for the provision of legal advice at Peter Mac.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key Peter Mac and third-party stakeholders including research sponsors, contract research organisations, universities, regulatory authorities and commercial partners.
  • Assist the General Counsel to develop innovative ways to enhance the efficiency of the Legal Office.
2. Operational Responsibilities
  • Provide advice and support to General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel as required.
  • Provide clear, comprehensive, practical and timely legal advice to Peter Mac stakeholders.
  • Draft, review, negotiate and advise on a variety of commercial contracts, including in relation to research (e.g., collaboration agreements, services agreements, material/data transfer agreements), clinical trials (e.g., site agreements), intellectual property and procurement (including information technology).
  • Advise on a variety legal matters pertaining to Peter Mac’s operations, including medico-legal matters (including medical negligence), freedom of information requests, privacy, disputes and regulatory compliance.
  • Undertake legal research and interpret legislation for the purposes of compliance, including awareness of changes or prospective changes to the law material to Peter Mac’s operations and advising stakeholders of changes as appropriate.
  • Manage practising certificate continuing professional development requirements and utilise any educational opportunities provided.

 

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

 

 

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

 

 

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

 

  • Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
  • Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
  • We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.