We're Hiring!

Join a collaborative in-house legal team where your advice will directly influence fair, transparent and legally sound outcomes for students. As Senior Legal Officer, Students, you will provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice across a diverse portfolio of student-related matters.

• Full-time hours: 36.25-hour work week, Monday to Friday
• Fixed term from June 2026 to June 2027 (parental leave backfill)
• Based at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas
• Competitive remuneration package on offer, including up to 17% employer superannuation contributions, generous leave provisions and a range of other benefits.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working closely with stakeholders across the University, you will provide high-quality legal services across a range of matters, with a focus on student-related policies and procedures, misconduct processes and complaint management, including litigation, external mediation and tribunal matters. You will contribute to strong legal governance and informed decision-making through the provision of clear, pragmatic legal advice. In addition, you will draft and negotiate a broad range of contracts and agreements, support best-practice approaches to student administration, and play a key role in identifying legal risks, responding to legislative change, and ensuring matters are managed in a timely, practical and defensible way.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

We are seeking an experienced legal professional with solid post-admission experience, ideally gained within higher education or student-related matters. We also welcome candidates from commercial, governance, policy or in-house backgrounds, with high-level legal judgement, strong drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to navigate complex issues with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach. Your ability to interpret and apply frameworks, provide clear advice, and build effective working relationships will be key to success in this role.

It is a requirement of this position to hold a law degree from an Australian institution, be admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and hold an unrestricted Practising Certificate pursuant to the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld).

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE WITH JCU

At JCU we’re not just shaping minds; we’re shaping the future.

As Australia’s only university established to focus on the issues of Northern Australia and the Tropics worldwide, JCU is dedicated to helping the world’s tropical regions to prosper. With our main campuses located in the vibrant and diverse tropics of Northern Queensland, JCU is at the forefront of research and education in some of the world’s most critical areas, including marine biology, environmental science, tropical and rural health, and more.

Find out more about JCU, our Careers and our locations.

WHY JCU?

JCU offers a dynamic and culturally diverse workplace where your ideas are valued, your professional growth is supported, and your work-life balance is respected. Working under the values of Authenticity, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect, we support and empower our people through the provisions of;

• A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions with UniSuper
• 36.25-hour full-time working week
• 5 weeks of annual recreation leave plus leave loading
• 15 days paid sick/carers leave per year
• Up to 6 months paid parental leave or 12 months at half pay
• A range of flexible working options
• Attractive options for salary packaging
• Staff study assistance and paid study leave
• Ongoing professional development support
• Fitness Passport
• Corporate discount on health insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program (coaching and counselling)
• Well-equipped modern facilities and contemporary workspaces with access to on-site childcare, medical services, gym and cafes.

HOW TO APPLY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us at JCU, where your future meets the tropics.

Click the ‘apply’ button to be redirected to the JCU careers page and follow the below steps:

1. Complete the application form.
2. Upload your current resume.
3. Upload a cover letter outlining your relevant experience in relation to the key requirements/selection criteria of the role and how your skills and experience will ensure your success.  

Applications close on Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:55 PM AEST.

Applicants must have current and valid Australian work rights. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

For any enquiries about the role, please contact Shaun Steffensen - shaun.steffensen@jcu.edu.au.

ABOUT OUR PROCESS

At JCU, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of the role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome once the recruitment process is finalised.

Please visit our Information Privacy Policy to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

WHAT MATTERS TO US AT JCU

• Our People - Our staff, students, and the communities we serve
• Our Education - Knowledge has the power to change lives
• Our Place – the Tropics and beyond
• Our Research – a catalyst for innovation and knowledge generation

James Cook University encourages people from all backgrounds who meet role requirements to apply.  We value and celebrate the diversity of our community and are committed to ensuring our learning and working environment is safe and welcoming.