Deputy Company Secretary & Legal Counsel in Geelong

Looking for a role where your advice influences the Board, supports executive decision‑making and drives meaningful organisational outcomes?

Bring your legal and governance expertise to a role where sound advice, trusted relationships and strong decision-making help shape a better future for our region. As Deputy Company Secretary & Legal Counsel, you’ll lead the day‑to‑day delivery of Board and Committee secretariat services, coordinating governance calendars, agendas, briefing papers, minutes, actions and resolutions. You’ll also act as Company Secretary for Barwon Asset Solutions and step into the Barwon Water Company Secretary role during periods of leave.

Working closely with the Company Secretary & General Counsel, Board members, executives, regulators and external advisers, you’ll help ensure governance obligations are managed accurately, efficiently and with sound judgement. You’ll maintain governance frameworks, delegations, registers and statutory filings, support Board induction and performance processes, and translate legislative and regulatory developments into practical policies and business practices.

Beyond the boardroom, you’ll provide pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across contracts, commercial arrangements, disputes, governance, privacy, freedom of information and regulatory matters. You’ll draft and negotiate agreements, manage assigned claims and litigation, coordinate external legal providers and help turn complex advice into clear action.

With significant independence within established delegations, responsibility for leading the Board Executive Assistant and the opportunity to improve governance and legal systems, this is a role with genuine autonomy, visibility and impact.

You're an accomplished legal and governance professional who knows that great governance does more than manage risk; enable confident decisions, build trust and strengthen organisational performance. You’ll bring a relevant legal degree, current eligibility to practise as an Australian legal practitioner in Victoria, and extensive practical experience across legal and corporate governance matters. Company secretariat or governance qualifications will be highly regarded.

With demonstrated experience supporting Boards and Committees and a strong understanding of directors’ duties, delegations, statutory compliance, Corporations Act requirements and ASIC processes, your legal experience spans contracts, commercial matters, disputes, governance and regulatory issues, ideally gained in‑house or within a public sector environment. You can assess complex matters, provide clear and commercially grounded advice, manage external counsel and legal spend, and recognise when an issue requires escalation or formal direction.

You combine excellent judgement and attention to detail with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and handle sensitive information with discretion. You’re comfortable setting priorities, leading a small specialist team and improving the systems, templates and processes that support high‑quality governance and legal services.

Most importantly, you’re motivated by purpose and want to apply your expertise in an organisation committed to customer and community value, regional prosperity, accountability, inclusion and a better future.

Barwon Water is Victoria's largest regional urban water corporation, with more than 110 years’ experience in delivering world-class water, sewerage and recycled water services to our customers and community. More than just taps and toilets, we’re a pivotal player in the region’s ongoing social, economic and environmental prosperity. We care about where we live and work, and we’re always looking for like-minded people to join our team.