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Principal Legal Operations Australia

Employer
South32
Location
Perth, WA, Australia
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jun 1, 2022

View more

Category
Audit & Legal
Work Term
Contract
Work Load
Full Time
Language
English

Job Details

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people's lives now and for generations to come. We are trusted by our owners and partners to realise the potential of their resources. We produce commodities including bauxite, alumina, aluminium, metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead, zinc and copper from our operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. With a focus on growing our base metals exposure, we also have two development options in North America and several partnerships with junior explorers around the world.

The opportunity

The purpose of this role is to provide direct independent legal support, leadership and advice to South32's operations (hereafter "Client Group") to ensure that legal risks are identified and managed in accordance with the Strategy and Values of South32.

Accountabilities

Core Accountabilities

  • Provides independent legal advice on to Client Group on strategic and complex mining projects, business risks and commercial opportunities, including with respect to mining tenure, land access (including acquisitions), community relations, WHS compliance, royalties, infrastructure, energy, the procurement of goods and services and the execution of major construction works
  • Supports the Manager Legal on the delivery of Legal support to the South32 Operations in Australia and South32 Legal initiatives
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with Client Group to act as the key point of contact and primarily provides advice in the key above areas within the accountability of the South32 Legal team
  • Leads commercial negotiations with external counterparties
  • Ensures effective engagement with other South32 Legal sub-teams and Client Group in accordance with the South32 Legal Operating Model
  • Manages external law firm relationships, costs and service delivery
  • Participates in and delivers on South32 Legal projects and internal reporting (within the Legal Function and to the broader business) as required
  • Participates in and delivers on legal initiatives for the South32 Legal function, providing legal support to that function (including engaging and working with external lawyers)
  • Assists in the execution of Legal function activities to mitigate South32 Material Legal Risks
  • Supports "officers" in the Client Group in discharging their WHS due diligence duties
  • Provides independent legal advice to all Client Groups on strategic and complex commercial dispute resolution
  • Provides guidance to the business on the fundamentals of contracting, contractor management and contract law, including the common law, law of equity and legislation relevant to the procurement of goods and services and the execution of construction works
  • Participates in legal due diligence in relation to Client Group's merger, acquisition and divestment activities
  • Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) governance and compliance


Governance, Analysis & Improvement and Planning

  • Leads training for the Client Group on legal matters relating to the activities of the Client Group
  • Supports the development of the South32 Legal Business Plan and delivers, within the Client Group, against the South32 Legal Business Plan (with support from the South32 Legal team as required)
  • Provides input into the development and execution of analysis and improvement activities within the Legal team so for as they relate to the Client Group. Assists with the roll-out of improvement activities
  • Assists in the implementation of the South32 Legal governance requirements for their areas of accountability (with support from the South32 Legal team as required)
  • Accepts appointments as a control owner in relation to relevant business risks
  • Identifies ongoing enhancements to the South32 suite of standard contract templates
  • Identifies ongoing enhancements to the South32 Contracts and Commitments Standard and other South32 governance processes and documentation


Reporting

  • Regularly reports to Client Group to ensure Client Group is updated on material issues and risks impacting the business
  • Provides input into reporting templates and requirements to support the Manager Legal and the Client Group


Knowledge Management

  • Acts as a knowledge management champion


About You

  • Experience in the resources or energy sector, especially in relation to mining and planning approvals, exploration requirements, general operations and regulatory compliance
  • Extensive commercial/corporate law experience, including with projects, joint ventures, land access and tenure, procurement of gas and electricity supply, construction contracting, logistics and technology contracting. Experience with port, rail, infrastructure access and operations and energy procurement preferable
  • Joint venture management and associated activity experience (including procurement interfaces)
  • Disputes and regulatory investigation experience
  • Health, safety, environment and community experience. Experience in the WHS Model laws preferable
  • Major construction contracting (tenders / contract negotiations / variations / claims / disputes)
  • Management of force majeure / events affecting production or product quality and logistics


Exposure to the following an advantage:

  • Native Title and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage compliance
  • Global anti-bribery and corruption / trade sanctions governance and compliance
  • Modern slavery risk management and compliance
  • ASX Listing rules and regulations experience
  • Insurance law experience
  • Insolvency law experience
  • Competition law experience


Qualifications

  • Current Australia legally qualified and practising lawyer
  • 10+ years PQE


Our benefits

  • Competitive Salaries
  • Incentive bonuses
  • Participation in the Employee Share Plan
  • Industry leading parental leave and family care policy
  • Education and career development
  • Free onsite fitness classes
  • Additional employer superannuation contributions which depend on the level of employee contributions you choose.


Location

This role will be based at our corporate office in the heart of Perth CBD

Our culture

At South32, our people are fundamental to our success. We're focused on creating an inclusive workplace, with the right people in the right roles, who are engaged, empowered and appropriately rewarded.

We aspire to be an inclusive organisation, where our workforce reflects the broader demographic of the countries and communities where we operate.

South32 embraces diversity and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds.

Applications close 1st June 2022

Company

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people’s lives now and for generations to come. 

Our commodities can be found in nearly every aspect of our lives. They power our homes, start our cars, build our roads, bridges, skyscrapers and hospitals and even make our coins and jewelry.

We invest in exploration activities inside and outside of our portfolio, helping us to keep growing and diversifying. Our exploration activities are carefully selected to have a high chance of success and are spread around the world, including places we have not operated in before. 

We attract people with exceptional skills, who share our values and want to make a difference with the work they do. As part of our team, you will be brave enough to challenge yourself to be the best in what you do. We will help you stretch your capabilities, challenging you to constantly seek better ways to do things and taking advantage of every opportunity to let your career flourish.

Company info
Website
Mini-site
South32

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