• Full time ongoing position
• Salary range: $175,286 - $192,014 plus superannuation
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role

Reporting to the General Counsel, this senior leadership role will lead Victoria Legal Aid's (VLA) Internal Legal Services (ILS) team to provide high quality, timely and practical legal advice to VLA executives and staff about a wide range of professional conduct, privacy, FOI, corporate law and ethical issues.

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

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise as a lawyer in Victoria (mandatory).
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a team to provide high quality, timely and practical legal advice about a wide range of issues to a variety of internal clients, including senior executives.
• A demonstrated ability to lead and support a team to deliver high quality work, manage change, and deliver on priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate and build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• 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
We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems. 

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve. 

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
  • Free annual flu vaccinations
  • 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 be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria. 

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 further information, please review the attached position description or contact Sarah Nieuwenhuysen, General Counsel or for general queries: recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au. 

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 11 March 2026. 

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend in-person for team meetings and key contact days. 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.