Principal Solicitor – Procurement and Contracts

$154,955 - $179,636 + 15.4% super

Canberra

Ongoing 

• Deliver specialist legal advice on high-value Commonwealth procurement and contracting.
• Play a key role in enabling Australia's national maritime regulator to deliver safe, efficient and accountable outcomes.
• Enjoy flexible work, generous benefits incl 15.4% super and Christmas shutdown.

About AMSA - Work with Purpose

Safe Seas. Clean Seas. Saving Lives.

At Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), every role contributes to our mission to protect lives, support safe maritime operations, and safeguard Australia’s marine environment.

We are Australia’s national agency responsible for maritime safety, protection of the marine environment, and maritime and aviation search and rescue. We regulate vessel safety and seafarer qualifications, provide the infrastructure for safe navigation in Australian waters, and coordinate national search and rescue services. These outcomes are enabled by strong corporate, digital and specialist capabilities that support our operational work nationwide.

With around 500 employees across Australia, AMSA operates in a complex, highly regulated environment and offers meaningful careers with national reach and long-term impact. Learn more at amsa.gov.au.

About the Role

As Principal Solicitor – Procurement and Contracts, you will provide trusted, independent and risk-based legal advice that supports AMSA in achieving its strategic objectives and navigating complex regulatory challenges. You will play a key role in identifying and managing legal risk, ensuring AMSA’s operations are conducted in accordance with legislative and policy requirements. With a specialist focus on Commonwealth procurement and contracting, you will provide expert legal guidance to support sound decision-making and deliver best-practice procurement outcomes for the organisation.

In this role you will:

• Provide high-level legal advice on complex legislative, operational, corporate and governance matters to support effective decision-making across AMSA.
• Provide specialist legal advice and point-of-first-contact guidance on Commonwealth procurement, contracting and commercial arrangements for all intermediate and high-level procurements across AMSA.
• Develop and maintain procurement frameworks, policies, guidance materials and contract templates that support best-practice outcomes.
• Provide practical legal guidance and training to build procurement and contracting capability across AMSA.
• Collaborate with colleagues by contributing to legal advice and providing second counsel on complex matters.

What We're Looking For

You will bring:

• A law degree from an Australian tertiary institution (or a comparable overseas qualification), admission to practise as a barrister or solicitor in an Australian State or Territory, and a current practising certificate.
• At least seven years' post-admission experience, with extensive experience in Commonwealth procurement and contracting, especially in a statutory authority.
• A detailed understanding of the broad range of legal issues relevant to a national regulator operating in a complex legislative and policy environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Australian Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance.
• Behaviours aligned with One AMSA values and ways of working

For further details, please refer to the position description. Information about our terms and conditions of employment are contained in the AMSA Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

What We Offer at AMSA

At AMSA, we support our people to do their best work through:

• Competitive remuneration and salary packaging options
• 15.4% employer superannuation contribution
• Generous leave entitlements with 20 days annual leave plus paid Christmas shutdown
• Paid parental leave with 18 weeks for primary and 11 weeks for secondary carer (increasing to 14 weeks from 1 March 2026)
• Wellbeing focus with health reimbursements, flu vaccinations and an Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
• Flexible work including work from home arrangements
• Career development including training, study assistance, paid professional memberships.
• Opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make a difference through AMSA’s staff-led networks

One AMSA: Shaping Our Future Together

One AMSA is our commitment to creating a workplace that is safe, respectful and inclusive – where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to contribute.  It shapes how we work together and ensures collaboration, trust, and shared purpose across AMSA.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the Careers at AMSA portal and click ‘Apply’ on the job listing before 11:55pm AEST on Sunday 26 July 2026. 

You will need to provide:

• A resume (maximum 3 pages)
• A cover letter (up to 600 words) outlining your suitability based on the key responsibilities and capabilities required for the role.

For further information about the role, contact Chris Guselli on (02) 62795689  or chris.guselli@amsa.gov.au

For questions about the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@amsa.gov.au.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted, as AMSA recruitment is managed internally.

AMSA does not engage staff under the Public Service Act 1999. AMSA engages employees under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 and our remuneration arrangements are specific to AMSA.