Associate Director, Children's Law

About this role

• Full time position up to 2 years (part time applications considered)
• Salary range: $157,341 – $180,991 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
You will provide joint leadership of the VLA statewide child protection program by developing strategic objectives aligned with VLA's organisational priorities. Additionally, you will work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to ensure delivery of high-quality child protection projects and early intervention non-legal advocacy services. 

Also, you will provide strategic advice to the Executive director, CEO, and the board on legal and policy issues, law reform proposals, and service planning related to child protection legal services. And you will lead funding proposals and change management activities.

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

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Proven leadership in the public or legal sector, with a track record of setting strategic priorities, managing risks, and making informed decisions.
• Strong management experience, including team leadership, change management, budget oversight, and accountability for priority activities.
• Expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating impactful projects and initiatives to enhance services and outcomes.
• In-depth knowledge of the Victorian child protection system, including its legal and policy frameworks, children's rights, and the legal assistance sector.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including those with lived experiences in child protection.
• Committed to social justice principles, with a deep understanding of issues affecting First Nations peoples in the justice system.

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 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

• 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 Elicia Savvas, Associate Director – Child Protection on (03) 9269 0118 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Thursday 10 April 2025.

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.