Manager, IMHA (South East region)

About this role

• Part-time ongoing position (0.9 FTE)
• Salary range: $131,154 - $155,000 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
In this role you will be responsible for managing the Independent Mental Health Advocacy service (IMHA), which provides opt out non legal advocacy services to consumers subject to or at risk of being placed on a compulsory treatment order in Victoria.

You will be required to lead and manage a diverse team of non-legal advocates, including building the teams' capability to deliver high-quality advocacy services and providing appropriate supervision and debriefing practices. In addition, you will also work in collaboration with the Associate Director to develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including internal VLA staff, designated mental health services, community mental health and wellbeing services, the Department of Health, Victorian Aboriginal Legal services and other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

This role can be based at either our Frankston, Dandenong offices on Bunurong Country or our Ringwood office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Leadership experience in the provision of advocacy services in mental health, health, community service, social work or other similar sectors, including experience in service design, implementation and evaluation.
• People management experience including a proven ability to lead high performing teams, nurture the skills and talents of staff with diverse professional experience, and provide supervision and debriefing when required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate with people across all levels within an organisation and with external stakeholders.
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as social work, health, community development (mandatory).

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 1500+ 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 Emma Wilcox-Davies, Acting Associate Director, IMHA on (03) 9093 3718 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on Thursday 8^th October 2026.

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.