Group Manager Legal - HSE, Approvals & Native

• Lead a team shaping Origin Energy's renewable and upstream initiatives 
• Drive legal excellence and innovation in environmental and safety matters 
• Permanent position | CBD based

Join a team that's All Kinds of Useful

At Origin, being useful is more than a tagline - it’s how we approach work every day. As a collective, we’re a team that thrives on finding better ways, working together, and owning our impact. From powering homes to delivering award-winning internet and helping to lead Australia’s energy transition. If you’re driven by purpose and excited to be part of something bigger, we’d love to have you on the journey.

About the role

The role is responsible for delivering legal counsel and assistance to Origin Energy Group's enterprises in managing and fostering its renewable initiatives and upstream oil and gas properties. There will be emphasis on ensuring safety, adherence to regulations, strategic oversight of environmental and planning permissions, and the management of native title matters.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage a strong team of specialist HSE, approvals & native title/cultural heritage lawyers to support operational and project development business units;
• Facilitate a collaborative approach across the HSE, approvals & native title legal team, Upstream & Development legal team, Origin legal and Origin;
• Manage the timely delivery of work across the portfolio, supervise and review the drafting and settlement of material advices prepared by Lawyers, regulatory strategies and key HSE, approvals, and native title/cultural heritage documents;
• Develop and maintain a broad and deep understanding of nominated business units and their objectives, structures, assets and activities to find practical business solutions to HSE, approvals and native title issues and deliver on opportunities to add value;
• Provide and ensure that the HSE, approvals & native title team provide high quality and cost-effective legal services which appropriately takes into account the regulatory risks faced by Origin and enables safe decision making by the HSE, approvals and native title team;
• Provide high quality legal advice, well-reasoned recommendations and adopt a pragmatic approach to enable high quality decision making within acceptable risk parameters; as well as having a grounded disposition and exceptional communication skills;
• Preparing the business for environmental, safety and regulatory change when it occurs and lead environmental and workplace incident response and response to claims and enforcement action;
• Leading education and training of company personnel and develop work practices that minimise potential legal and regulatory risk;
• Ensuring that the services and advice provided by external lawyers is of high quality, client  focused and represents value for money;
• Support the General Counsel, General Manager and the Senior Legal Team to deliver value to the Origin Energy Group companies through helping them achieve their goals.

What will you bring?

You will be an Australian qualified and admitted lawyer, with strong knowledge of WHS, environmental, and approval law for asset development and operation. With the ability of strong problem-solving skills, embracing complexity and variety in a fast-paced environment. You will also be able to demonstrate.

• Senior lawyer with 12+ years’ PQE
• Experience in preparing and implementing corporate policies and programs
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Strong understanding of safety, environmental, approvals and native title/cultural heritage law in relation to the development and operation of assets, and experience advising on these matters
• Strong understanding of the regulatory framework for the CSG industry in QLD
• Experience in the preparation/implementation of corporate policies and programs
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, and you embrace complexity and enjoy constant variety and challenge
• Client and outcomes-focused
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
• Excellent judgment for high-quality decision-making
• Ability to build relationships and understand clients' legal needs beyond immediate matters
• Capacity to work both autonomously and collaboratively

Desirable:

• In-house experience, including client secondments
• Experience in dispute management
• Additional regulatory experience considered favourably

So why join us?

• 20 weeks of paid leave for primary carers with flexible return options.
• Thrive in a culture of personal and professional growth.
• Enjoy a central CBD location with access to parking and public transport.
• Purchase up to four additional weeks of leave annually.
• Engage in opportunities through the Origin Foundation to support your community.
• Powering your career with unbeatable perks - Get discounted electricity, gas, and internet as an Origin employee.
• Explore unique and cost-effective employee EV Car subscriptions. 

Origin - Where good change happens

At Origin, we’re powered by people who believe in creating change.

We are committed to fostering a diverse, gender equitable workforce, where everyone is welcome, and all applications are evaluated on merit and potential. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people living with disabilities, culturally diverse people, any stage in life, people with intersex variations and people within LGBTQ+ communities, including trans and gender diverse. 
 

Enjoy a challenging career in an exciting industry where you can grow and explore your potential. If you think you have transferable skills, an appetite to learn and would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you. 

Here's a little about us: https://www.originenergy.com.au/about/careers/

Background checks may be required to determine your suitability for this position as part of the recruitment process and during your employment. These checks may include police checks, AusCheck, medical assessment and/or drug and alcohol testing.

Please note unsolicited CVs from agencies will not be accepted.

Origin recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.