• Full time, Fixed term position up to five (5) years
• $310,386 - $447,266 Total Remuneration Package
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging

About the role

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking an outstanding leader to join our Executive Management Group as Executive Director, Legal Practice and Legal Help.

This is a significant leadership role responsible for the services and systems that help people access legal assistance across Victoria. Leading Legal Help, Disaster Legal Help Victoria and Legal Practice, the role oversees legal information and advice services, grants of legal aid, practice support and key service delivery pathways that support tens of thousands of Victorians each year.

The Executive Director will also provide executive oversight of VLA's grants transformation program, a major organisational priority that will modernise grants administration and improve the experience of clients, private practitioners and staff. The role will play a central part in driving innovation, strengthening partnerships and ensuring VLA continues to deliver accessible, high-quality and sustainable legal services.

We are seeking an accomplished and values-driven leader with significant executive experience leading large, complex service delivery functions and delivering organisational reform. You will be an exceptional people leader, a strategic thinker and a skilled relationship builder, with the ability to work collaboratively across government, the justice sector and the legal assistance sector to achieve meaningful outcomes for the community.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of legal assistance in Victoria and contribute to an organisation committed to improving access to justice for people experiencing disadvantage.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country. 

About you 

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Demonstrated experience influencing organisational decision making through strategic, evidence-based advice and innovative recommendations.
• Strong understanding of developing, applying and monitoring professional practice standards to meet regulatory, legislative and compliance obligations.
• Significant experience leading large, complex service delivery functions and delivering organisational reform.
• Deep understanding of emerging state-wide and national issues in legal assistance service delivery, with a proven ability to set strategic direction, formulate long term plans to mitigate risk, maximise opportunities and ensure the achievement of VLA, sector and government priorities.
• Proven ability to lead and oversee critical stakeholder engagement and to advise and influence a diverse range of senior stakeholders in relation to highly complex issues impacting on policy development and service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate strategic policy, regulatory, service delivery and/or program initiatives across multiple business units or functions, including the development and management of budgets, finances, procurement, workforce plans and expenditure.
• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior executive level with organisation-wide responsibilities, including contributing to organisational strategy, leading complex decision-making, managing competing priorities, and driving performance, culture and outcomes across a large, complex organisation.
• A proven track record of leading high performing, values-led teams and fostering a culture that supports performance, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Strong change management and leadership capability, with experience in managing transformational or large-scale organisational change and embedding sustainable outcomes.
• A knowledge of the general business of VLA and a commitment to our vision and values. 

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

About VLA

Victoria Legal Aid is a cornerstone of Victoria's justice system, delivering essential legal services to the community.

We provide legal advice, dispute resolution, representation, information and advocacy services to hundreds of thousands of Victorians each year for criminal, civil, family violence, child protection and family law problems. We ensure people have access to legal services close to where they live, across metropolitan, suburban and regional locations.

Through non-legal, early intervention and dispute resolution services, we support people to understand their rights, participate in decision-making and resolve matters. We work closely with partners to influence policies and challenge unfair laws and practices to make our society fairer for everyone.

By coordinating legal assistance and information, resolving issues early and supporting people through court processes when necessary, we help prevent problems escalating and reduce harm. We target our efforts and limited resources to help those with the greatest need. 

Employee benefits

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model 
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes 
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

How to apply

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter. 

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

For additional information not specified in the Position Description, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Executive Director - Legal Practice & Legal Help enquiry via EthicalJobs.

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on the closing date. 

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.

A position description is attached.