Associate Director, Summary Crime

About this role

• Full time ongoing position (part time applications considered)
• Salary based on experience, range: $157,341 - $180,991 (pro rata) plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
This role leads the Summary Crime program across the organisation, ensuring the delivery of quality Summary Crime services to legally aided clients across the state.

As Associate Director, you will manage high level stakeholder engagement, policy development, strategic litigation, law reform and oversight of a large team of staff – this includes approximately 40x Summary Crime lawyers and support staff.

You will develop and implement strategic objectives aligned with VLA's strategic priorities and provide influential leadership and mentoring.

This is a critical role and presents an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and influential leader to contribute to the sustainable, effective and efficient delivery of quality Summary crime services throughout the state.

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 in Victoria as a principal of a law practice.
• Entitlement to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners)
• Leadership and management experience preferably gained within a public or private legal sector.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the practice of criminal law in the summary crime jurisdiction.
• Extensive experience in developing, implementing and evaluating high impact, successful and influential projects and policies.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of cultural norms in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island clients.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 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

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

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 Elanor Peattie, A/Director Summary Crime and Therapeutic Justice on 9280 3740 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 8 December 2024.

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.