Deputy Managing Lawyer

About this role

• Full time or part time maximum term position up to 12 months
• Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
The Economic and Social Rights (ESR) Program advances the quality of, and access to, rights which most affect the standard of living of disadvantaged Victorians. This new Deputy Managing Lawyer role will contribute to the operational leadership and support of high-quality legal services across the state with a focus on delivery of projects and practice management support across the ESR team.

In collaboration with the Program Manager, Managing Lawyer and existing Deputy Managing Lawyers, this position will also provide day-to-day operational management, legal supervision and mentoring of ESR lawyers.

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

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner.
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners).
• Demonstrated experience working with Australian First Nations people and understanding of cultural norms and communication styles (highly desirable).
• People management skills to motivate a team and provide supervision, mentoring and debriefing.
• Leadership capabilities including experience in service planning and project coordination and management.
• Demonstrated capacity to work as a lawyer in complex matters including substantial knowledge or practical experience in the law and relevant court procedures with a focus on areas of the ESR program.

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 Sam Sowerwine, Associate Director - ESR on (03) 9269 0264 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 7 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.