Inhouse Legal Manager in Sydney

Step out of billable hours and into full leadership of a growing legal function. You’ll take ownership of strategy, shape how the team works, and focus your time on coaching, complex matters and big-picture decisions. With hybrid flexibility and no caseload of your own, you’ll have space to think, lead and develop others without sacrificing your evenings or weekends. This is your chance to move away from running files and into running the function.

You’ll lead a specialist legal team focused on NSW workers compensation and personal injury, with direct oversight of the Legal Manager and eight other legal and eligibility professionals. The team is expanding, and you’ll guide its growth, capability and direction. This is a newly created leadership position giving you full ownership of the legal function for the first time in the business. You’ll set the direction, lift performance, and shape how legal supports claims and strategy across the board.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and develop the legal team. You’ll coach, build capability, manage performance and develop future leaders. This is not a caseload position - you’ll sit above the day-to-day file work, guiding the team and ensuring high standards.
• Provide senior technical leadership. You’ll be the go-to expert on complex workers compensation matters, making final decisions on high-risk cases and ensuring consistent interpretation of NSW legislation.
• Manage the external legal panel. You’ll oversee relationships with law firms, reviewing quality, cost and service to ensure value and consistent outcomes.
• Shape how the legal function runs. You’ll set the legal strategy, strengthen governance and drive continuous improvement to keep the function efficient and effective.
• Represent the business externally. You’ll work with regulators, scheme partners and senior stakeholders, helping to influence policy and represent the organisation in key forums.

What you’ll need:

• Strong workers compensation and personal injury legal experience.
• Solid working knowledge of NSW workers compensation legislation and statutory disputes.
• Law degree and current admission as a lawyer in Australia or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading, supervising or mentoring lawyers, or working closely with senior leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team first approach.
• Able to work from the Sydney CBD office at least 3 days a week.

About the company:

One of Australia’s leading specialist personal injury and workers compensation claims managers. Personal injury is the only thing they do. That focus has given them deep expertise and a reputation as one of the most stable and specialised organisations in the industry. They are a major claims agent for icare, the NSW workers compensation Nominal Insurer. They also manage claims for self insurers and specialised insurers. Every day their people help injured workers recover and return to work, supporting employers and the wider scheme along the way. This role sits within the Specialised Insurance Group, a fast growing business unit based in the Sydney CBD. New business is coming on board, and the team is growing with it. The culture is energetic, collaborative and team first, with strong leadership and a real sense of fun.