Senior Associate - Workplace Relations, Education & Safety

Senior Associate - Workplace Relations, Education & Safety (Melbourne)

As part of Russell Kennedy's continued growth of our national schools practice, we are seeking to appoint Senior Associates in both our Melbourne and Sydney offices. Both roles sit within our Workplace Relations, Education & Safety team.

With opportunities in both our offices, the roles offer diverse and engaging work, opportunities for direct client interaction and the chance to contribute to a growing, purpose-driven national team.

You'll work on complex and meaningful matters across employment, industrial relations, equal opportunity, student safety and wellbeing, duty of care, and stakeholder management work in independent education.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial mindset, excellent technical skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment. We are seeking a self-motivated professional who is eager to grow and evolve into a key member of our Workplace Relations, Education & Safety team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing employment advice to clients on a range of issues, including:
  
  • commencement of employment;
  • terms and conditions of employment;
  • performance management;
  • termination of employment;
  • equal opportunity;
  • preventing bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment;
  • occupational and workplace health and safety; and
  • independent contractors.
• Drafting contracts of employment, contracts for service, Deeds, policies and procedures, pleadings etc.
• Negotiating, preparing and lodging Enterprise Agreements.
• Providing advice to clients about award coverage and the interpretation of enterprise agreements.
• Conducting litigation such as:
  • unfair dismissal/ adverse action/ industrial action/ bullying claims at the FWC;
  • breach of contract claims in the State Courts; and
  • claims of discrimination at the VEOHRC or AHRC.
• Advising on mandatory reporting and compliance with reportable conduct schemes.
• Dealing with student discipline, safety and wellbeing issues.
• Stakeholder and media management.
• Researching - to keep abreast of employment law changes.
• Business Development activities to build profile, produce articles and conduct presentations to keep clients up to date, and assist in delivering seminars and building client relationships.
• Involvement in the supervision and mentoring of both junior lawyers, and law graduates, fostering their professional development and growth within our team.
• Contributing to the Learning and Development programs at Russell Kennedy, including creating and presenting CPD sessions for others at the firm.
• Time recording and billing.
• Maintains cyber security at all times. Cultivate an awareness of security risks, stay informed of latest cyber threats, instil best cybersecurity practises and take practical steps to protect the firm and client from cyberattacks.
• Any other reasonable duties as directed by senior staff.

Skills/Knowledge

• Minimum 4-5 years' post-admission experience in workplace relations law, with a strong commercial mindset and practical approach.
• Experience in the education sector, including in relation to student safety and wellbeing is not essential but will be considered favourably.
• Possess excellent drafting skills and have the ability to cope with a varied and intellectually stimulating workload.
• Well-developed initiative, with a demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically.

Further Information
Any questions regarding the vacancy can be directed to Heidi Connell on (03) 9609 1517. For further information or to submit your application for this position please visit the careers page on our website. Please note any offer of employment made by Russell Kennedy Lawyers to the successful candidate will be subject to a police check. We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only. No agency referrals will be accepted at this stage.

Our Firm and Culture

Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 340 people in Melbourne and Sydney. We are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.

As part of our team, you'll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle. We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.

Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, as well as being certified as a gold employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index for employers with 500 or less employees. We respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives to create an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. There is a particular focus and emphasis on gender equality, inclusion of First Nations peoples, accessibility for people with disability, LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and cultural diversity. Russell Kennedy is recognised by Australian Disability Network as a Disability Confident Recruiter employer.

Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent available. We acknowledge the importance of work-life balance, all current and prospective employees have access to flexible work options and workplace adjustments including alternate accessible formats, where required. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process please contact Carla Viglino on 03 9609 6770.

Russell Kennedy Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. Our offices are situated on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, to their emerging leaders and to the resilience, creativity and vitality of their cultures including their laws and systems of governance.