Senior Legal Counsel - Disputes and Complaints

Job Description: Transform healthcare through expert legal leadership Lead complex, high-impact healthcare litigation – Manage significant medical negligence claims, regulatory matters and contentious disputes from early intervention through to resolution or trial. Advise at the highest levels of a national organisation – Deliver trusted, strategic advice to senior executives, leadership teams and committees across public hospitals, private hospitals, aged care and virtual care. Use your legal expertise to support care with purpose – Join a collaborative National Legal team where your advice will help manage risk, protect patients and support a better and fairer Australian health system. About St Vincent’s Health Australia At St Vincent’s Health Australia, we are shaping a future health and aged care system that provides life-changing care to people wherever they are. Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1857, we are one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit health and aged care organisations, supporting people through public and private hospitals, aged care residences, virtual care and services delivered at home. Our 30,000 dedicated employees are united by a commitment to enhance our impact, connect care across the organisation and help transform the Australian health system. Our work is grounded in our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence. About the Opportunity We are seeking an accomplished Senior Legal Counsel – Disputes and Complaints Practice Group to join our National Legal team in Sydney or Melbourne . Reporting to the Head of Legal – Disputes and Complaints Practice Group, you will provide expert, practical and commercially informed legal advice across St Vincent’s operations. You will work with senior stakeholders on complex litigation, medical negligence claims, regulatory matters, complaints and dispute resolution strategies within a highly regulated and purpose-driven healthcare environment. This is an opportunity to apply your specialist disputes expertise to matters of genuine significance while contributing to an organisation focused on delivering safe, compassionate and equitable care. Your Key Responsibilities In this influential national role, you will: Manage actual and threatened litigation and other contentious matters, including responses to subpoenas. Lead complex medical negligence matters from commencement through to resolution or trial. Develop early intervention, alternative dispute resolution and litigation management strategies that achieve timely and commercially sound outcomes. Provide strategic advice on liability, risk management, complaints and litigation strategy. Draft and review pleadings, court submissions, deeds of settlement and other complex legal documents. Conduct legal research and analysis concerning complex healthcare, insurance and regulatory issues. Liaise with insurers, brokers, healthcare providers, medical experts, external lawyers and senior counsel. Build trusted relationships with executives and senior stakeholders across St Vincent’s. Collaborate with colleagues across the National Legal team, sharing specialist knowledge and contributing to broader legal matters. Support the Head of Legal and contribute to the guidance and development of junior team members. About You You are a highly experienced disputes lawyer who combines technical excellence with sound judgement, commercial awareness and a practical approach. You are comfortable managing high-value, sensitive and complex matters while providing clear advice to senior decision-makers. You build trust through credibility, responsiveness and strong communication. You can work autonomously under pressure while remaining flexible, constructive and collaborative. Importantly, you are motivated by the opportunity to use your legal expertise in support of healthcare services and communities across Australia. You Will Bring At least 8 years’ post-qualification experience . A tertiary qualification in law. Admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW or Victoria. Eligibility to hold a NSW or Victorian practising certificate without supervision requirements. Significant experience gained within a major law firm or the in-house legal team of a large, complex organisation. Demonstrated experience managing litigation, disputes and complex legal risk. The ability to provide timely, practical advice at strategic and operational levels. Highly developed written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal and negotiation skills. Strong planning and organisational capability, including the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet critical deadlines. A self-directed, positive and collaborative working style. An understanding of the social and ethical considerations associated with delivering health services. A genuine commitment to the values and purpose of St Vincent’s. Why Join St Vincent’s? Purpose with professional impact Apply your legal expertise to matters that directly support the delivery of safe, compassionate and sustainable healthcare. National scope and executive exposure Advise across a diverse health and aged care portfolio and work with senior leaders, government bodies, insurers, external legal providers and other influential stakeholders. Complex and meaningful work Lead sophisticated medical negligence, regulatory, insurance and dispute resolution matters within one of Australia’s most significant service environments. A connected legal community Join a collaborative National Legal team that values specialist expertise, knowledge sharing, professional development and practical problem-solving. A values-led organisation Be part of an organisation grounded in Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence, with a longstanding commitment to supporting people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage. Make Your Legal Expertise Matter This is more than a senior disputes role. It is an opportunity to influence complex decisions, build organisational capability and support the people and services delivering care across Australia. If you are an experienced disputes and litigation lawyer seeking intellectually challenging work, senior stakeholder engagement and a strong sense of purpose, we would welcome your application. Apply Now!!! Join St Vincent’s Health Australia and help us shape a better and fairer health and aged care system. Applications may close before the advertised closing date. Important Information Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including identification, right-to-work, reference and nationally coordinated criminal history checks. The successful applicant must also meet applicable immunisation requirements under St Vincent’s Health Australia policy. St Vincent’s Health Australia, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people are respected, supported and empowered to achieve their professional goals Closing Date: 18 September 2026 11:59pm Reconciliation Action Plan: At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. For further information, visit https ://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at View Reconciliation Action Plan Code of Conduct: View Code of Conduct