• Full time maximum term position up to June 2026 (Part time applications considered)
• Salary based on experience, range: $111,263 - $123,624 (pro rata) plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role:

As our Deputy Managing Lawyer, you'll assist with the establishment of our Wodonga-based high-quality legal aid services to Victoria's Ovens Murray communities, making a positive difference in people's lives. Your role will include building and strengthening community relationships and partnerships in the Wodonga region, and coordinating services with courts, community legal centres, private practitioners and non-legal services across the region.

You will be managing complex legal cases and work with our Regional Manager (Goulburn Region) and Administrative Service and Triage Officer to build, lead and supervise an engaged legal team in Wodonga, ensuring the Ovens Murray community receives the legal assistance they deserve.

About you:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• The ability to build, lead and motivate a high-performing legal team.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build authentic and positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Courts, Community Legal Centres, Community and Health organisations and First Nations Services.
• Proficiency in conducting complex criminal, family, and/or civil law matters, including the ability to supervise and mentor junior lawyers.
• A strong passion about building community and cooperative and collaborative teams, both within our organisation and with our community partners.
• Effective collaboration with First Nations communities and individuals, understanding their unique cultural norms and challenges.
• Flexibility to travel as needed between Wodonga, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Benalla.
• A valid Australian practising certificate allowing practice in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

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.

Why Wodonga?

Wodonga is a busy, fast- growing and sophisticated regional city. Its schools and universities are highly rated, and opportunities abound for business and creative endeavours supported by communities across the twin Murray River cities Albury-Wodonga in an environment which offers respite to some cost-of-living pressures. 

About Victoria Legal Aid:

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1000 staff employed in 15 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.

How to apply:

To be considered for this role, please submit a current resume and completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments).

If you require adjustment 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, using the subject line: Deputy Managing Lawyer - Ovens Murray enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Erica Molyneaux, Regional Manager – Goulburn region on (03) 5823 6216 or Tony Daquino, Regional Associate Director – North on (03) 9259 5415.

No agency applications will be accepted.

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.