Legal Counsel

Whitehaven Coal is the dominant player in Australia’s only emerging high-quality coal basin. With a culture based on our STRIVE values, our reputation for excellence in project delivery and safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations continues to grow.

Our STRIVE Values connect us and define how we behave. Whitehaven Coal award, recognise and celebrate individuals and teams going above and beyond the requirements of their role to deliver excellent outcomes while demonstrating our values of Safety, Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, Value and Excellence.

About The Role

The Legal Counsel plays a pivotal role in ensuring legal compliance, risk mitigation, and providing strategic legal guidance across the business. Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel and working in a small legal team, the role will assist the team across a breadth of areas with a particular focus on resources, planning and environment and Native Title. Direct experience in these areas is advantageous, however, is not a prerequisite.

This role is based in our Brisbane office.

What You’ll Do

• Developing relationships across all levels of the business;
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts and other documentation relating to the business and operations;
• Advising on relevant legislation, regulations and providing advice and assistance to the business and operations (with assistance from external legal advisers where necessary), and assisting with approvals related litigation;
• Monitoring legal issues associated with the business and operations;
• Preparation of internal legal papers for the Executive Leadership Team and Board, along with management of external legal advisers as required.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong relationship building skills across different levels of seniority and experience within and outside the business.
• Excellent drafting and negotiating skills and effective communication skills, both written and spoken.
• An ability to think and communicate calmly and rationally in a faced-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, self-disciplined and results orientated with a track record of making sound judgment calls.
• An ability to handle a variety of projects at any one time and to manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to tackle new tasks which may fall outside of your core strengths.
• Bachelor's degree in Law with 2-4 years PQE within internal legal team or top to mid-tier private practice, and admitted as a lawyer in an Australian jurisdiction

Why Whitehaven Coal?

• Career development, mentorship and coaching
• Flexible work options
• Australian owned industry leader
• Attractive remuneration package
• Employee referral scheme - $4000 for successful referrals!

Whitehaven Coalis committed to increasing the representation of women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workplace. We strive for an inclusive workplace that engages people from diverse backgrounds and welcomes diversity of gender, culture and experience.

Whitehaven Coal is working with the RSL Employment Program to support veterans and partners of current or former Defence members in finding meaningful and sustainable employment. If you would like assistance with your application, you can reach out to the program via the following link: https://www.rslqld.org/find-help/employment

Whitehaven Coal is an endorsed Circle Back Initiative Employer.

To be considered for this position you must have the right to work in Australia.

Reward. Opportunity. Recognition. Great Place to Work.