Project Manager, Mental Health Legal Services Reform Project

About this role

• Part time (0.8 FTE) maximum term position up to 9 months
• Salary range: $131,154 - $155,000 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
The role will oversee effective implementation of a new model for delivering duty lawyer services and representation for consumers at the Mental Health Tribunal as part of a collaborative new co-designed Mental Health Legal Rights Service model. Through a short service design phase and work internally with Melbourne, suburban and regional VLA offices, lived experience experts and other key internal and external stakeholders the role will help ensure consistent, equitable, consumer-centred and trauma-informed mental health legal services through duty lawyer services and as part of the wider MHLRS model.

Responsibilities include project governance and planning, overseeing design and change management initiatives, stakeholder engagement and managing key relationships. This role is based in VLA's Mental Health and Disability Law (MHDL) sub program and will work closely with the MHDL Associate Director, as well as the MHLRS Project Manager, other VLA staff and external stakeholders.  

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

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A tertiary qualification in public policy, law or a related field (mandatory).
• Demonstrated project management experience and organisation skills.
• Experience in legal service implementation and evaluation.
• Experience in working collaboratively to successful delivery, with attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Expertise in legal aid clients, services, and the legal assistance sector, as well as non-legal advocacy and support services.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to use those skills to influence and negotiate with people across all levels.

Lived experience of the mental health system is desirable.

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 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

• 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 Catherine Leslie, Associate Director, MHDA on (03) 9280 3706 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Thursday 4 December 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.