Principal Legal Officer (Commercial, Property & Insurance)

About the Organisation

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) commenced operations in 2013 as the national entity responsible for regulating all vehicles in Australia over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. The NHVR minimises the compliance burden on the heavy vehicle transport industry, reduces duplication and inconsistences across state and territory borders, and ultimately for the heavy vehicle business with government in Australia.

We are headquartered in Brisbane and employ more than 900 people across the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

About the role

As the Principal Legal Officer, you will be responsible for providing a full range of legal services to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) operational, strategy and corporate areas and ensure the NHVR is appropriately represented in complex legal matters. This role will be offered in a full time and permanent capacity and based in Newstead/Gasworks complex.

Reporting to the Manager Legal Services, you will be responsible for providing advice on privacy, data, technology and intellectual property (IP)-related legal matters arising in the context of the NHVR’s broad range of activities. You will also provide legal advice on property, commercial and insurance related matters as required and commensurate with your expertise in these areas, with the objective of utilising and growing on your skill set in these areas over time.

You will bring your leadership skills to lead, develop and mentor the Senior Legal Officer within the team.

This is a career defining opportunity to join an organisation currently undertaking growth and considerable transformation.

The NHVR is in a period of growth and significant transformation, and this is an exciting time to join the organisation.

What you’ll be doing

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Provide legal support to the NHVR’s Procurement and Data & Technology teams.


• Draft, advise on and negotiate a range of technology contracts, data sharing agreements and confidentiality agreements.


• Advise on IT procurement and outsourcing.


• Advise on data, privacy and other relevant legislation.


• Advise on intellectual property protection and management in Australia


• Assist the Manager of Legal Services with the development, implementation and continuous improvement of an IP policy framework.


• Provide strategic advice in the development of strategies and policies for successful management of legal risk within the parameters of the NHVR’s regulatory and legal services program.

 About You

To be successful in this role you will possess

• 7 years plus PAE in technology, privacy and IP


• Admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court or Supreme Court of a State or Territory.


• Experience in- house within property law, commercial law and/or insurance is desirable but not essential.

Why join us?

• Located in thriving Newstead/Gasworks location


• Flexible work environment, including work from home arrangements where suitable


• Additional leave over Christmas/ Year period


• Close to public transport including train, bus and city cat


• Access to Employer Assistance Program

Applications close 8 December 2024 at 5.00pm

Application Process

Please apply with your CV and cover letter addressing the essential requirements of the role.

Further information and the position description can be found on the NHVR Careers site - https://careers.nhvr.gov.au/jobs/search. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the NHVR recruitment team on recruitment@nhvr.gov.au.

Successful applicants will be required to complete standard pre-employment checks including a national police and work rights check.

Please Note: We will not require any support from Recruitment Agencies at this time and kindly y request no contact is made. Only direct applications will be considered.

We are committed to being an inclusive, diverse and flexible workplace where differences are valued. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experience and abilities.