Head of Legal Housing Projects

• Full Time, Permanent Role
• Location: Sydney with Work From Home options!
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us.

Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

We are seeking a Head of Legal Housing Projects to join our Governance, Legal, and Risk Team at Mission Australia. In this role, you will spearhead our legal efforts in housing growth initiatives, including development, financing, acquisition, and structuring. You will play a crucial part in managing special purpose vehicles designed to facilitate these Housing Projects, as well as navigating associated legal and commercial arrangements.

Your responsibilities will encompass overseeing housing project development, handling tendering and procurement processes, managing legal frameworks for operational structures, and tackling complex project financing issues. You will also engage in negotiations with financiers and other stakeholders, provide board reporting, and support governance for our specialised project units.

The ideal candidate will bring a robust background in complex financing and property transactions, adeptness in commercial structuring, and a deep understanding of financing, construction, and property law. Experience in community housing, government contracts, and related legal sectors will be highly regarded. This role offers a unique opportunity to impact housing solutions on a significant scale, aligning with Mission Australia’s commitment to service and community enhancement.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Review, draft, negotiate and analyse a variety of documents including contracts, government tenders, financing arrangements, project documentation, due diligence, construction and conveyancing arrangements, license agreements, strategic alliances, and development agreements
• Assume responsibility of the processes for the efficient provision of legal services to support housing growth initiatives
• Determine the appropriate legal course of action to meet the business needs for Housing Projects at Mission Australia
• Engage and manage retainer of external legal advisors, including scopes of works and terms of engagements
• Reviewing and advising on external and internal financing documents and arrangements, including complex property financing matters
• Supporting governance, compliance and risk to ensure legislative compliance and good corporate governance as relevant to Housing Projects
• Work closely with the General Counsel to ensure full and accurate disclosure of areas of legal risk and compliance across Housing Projects
• Support the General Manager of Housing Growth, General Manager of Commercial Contracts and Compliance, and others as required
• Work and liaise with relevant external government bodies/agencies and external legal advisors/tax advisors as required in respect of Housing Projects
• Proactively ensure internal stakeholders understand the structuring and regulatory arrangements overlaying Housing Projects

Requirements for Success

• 10+ years PQE experience
• Current practising certificate
• Demonstrated experience in Commercial Law, Property Law Construction Law and Community Housing Law (preferred)
• Proven experience in Finance / Finance Transactions

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Head of Legal Housing Projects enquiry via EthicalJobs, or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

Your benefits

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)

• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Extra leave available including an additional public holiday, additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave

How to Apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you.