Director & Deputy General Counsel, Specialist Legal & Litigation Division

• Senior leadership role
• Manage a very diverse legal portfolio
• Maintain excellent working relationships with senior stakeholders

The Organisation

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees including police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Their mission is to provide 24/7 emergency response ensuring the safety and security of over 6.5 million Victorians every day of the year. Their vision is for a community in which everyone is safe and feels safe, those affected by crime feel supported, those who break the law are held to account, police work with the community and partners to prevent crime, reduce harm and build a better, safer Victoria.

The Role

Reporting to the Executive Director and General Counsel, Legal Services Department, you are responsible for leading and managing the Specialist Legal and Litigation Division.

The Division comprises over 80 staff. Three team leaders report to you and in turn manage a very diverse range of twelve practice areas including commercial law, civil litigation, employment law, administrative and privacy law, criminal investigations and confiscations and Royal Commissions and inquiries.

• Five year SES-1 contract position
• Total Remuneration Package $225,000 to $290,600 including superannuation
• Located in Melbourne

About you

• You bring a superb track record in strategic leadership and expert legal guidance and support together with demonstrated ability to engage effectively and regularly with the General Counsel and senior stakeholders in Victoria Police Command.
• You are a experienced and unflappable lawyer with extensive (preferably minimum 12 years' pqe) experience in litigation, administrative and/or commercial law.
• You are adept at managing a team of lawyers and non-lawyers and enjoy encouraging and supporting team members who are expert in their fields.
• You demonstrate tenacity, ethics and flexibility, understand the need for continuous improvement and are committed to the work of Victoria Police and giving back to the Victorian community.

Requirements and relevant information

• The following qualifications apply to the position:
• to have been admitted, or to be eligible to be admitted, as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
• possess a current unrestricted practising certificate or eligibility to obtain unrestricted practicing certificate.
• The successful candidate must be prepared to undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a National Security Clearance to the level determined by the Department Head. To obtain this clearance applicants must be an Australian Citizen.
• The preferred candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, psychometric assessment, fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• The successful candidate will be employed pursuant to Victoria Police policies and procedures. All Executive Officer appointments are in accordance with the Public Administration Act 2004 and the Victorian Public Service Executive Employment Handbook. The successful candidate will be required to enter an Executive Officer Contract of Employment for a period of up to five years.

Your application must include:

• CV; and
• A cover letter, no more than two pages, outlining why you are the most suitable candidate for this role.

Applications close midnight, Monday 11 August 2025

All applications must be submitted via email to Katherine.Sampson@mahlab.com.au 

For further information on the position, please contact Katherine Sampson, Managing Director, Mahlab Recruitment (Vic):

E katherine.sampson@mahlab.com.au

T 0419 329 992

For a copy of the PD, please email ava.sadeghi@mahlab.com.au

Having a workforce that reflects the community they serve is important to Victoria Police.  Victora Police are committed to attracting and retaining people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.

If you have a disability/medical condition and require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirements/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact Executive Employment at EXECUTIVE-EMPLOYMENT-MGR@police.vic.gov.au  or (03) 8335 8067.