• Key senior executive role overseeing legally aided criminal law services across Victoria
• Partner and collaborate to drive service innovation and champion reform
• Lead a team of professionals committed to delivering social justice and improving the lives of disadvantaged Victorians

The Position

The Executive Director, Criminal Law has responsibility for Victoria Legal Aid’s work in criminal law leading the delivery of high quality, targeted and innovative services in the publicly funded legal assistance sector.

Reporting to the CEO and as a member of the Executive Management Group, the role contributes to the collective leadership of VLA, leads organisation-wide change projects, and represents VLA at national and state-level legal aid forums and in various government and sector settings.

Leading six direct reports and a large team of over 130 professionals (covering criminal law, strategy, policy, projects and therapeutic justice), the role builds a supportive and values-driven culture that encourages people with great skills and capabilities to deliver high-quality and appropriately targeted legal assistance services to achieve safe and workable outcomes for our clients.

Success in this position requires an accomplished strategic leader who can drive long-term organisational and system change and influence a range of partners and stakeholders to advocate for systemic law reform, underpinned by managing effective and efficient operational and corporate requirements.

Demonstrated experience in influencing the strategic vision, culture and policy direction of an organisation is expected as is a track record in successfully leading a large and complex directorate/ organisation. While a law degree or other relevant tertiary qualification is required, your legal experience may have been gained in either criminal or civil areas. Experience collaborating across government departments, agencies and relevant non-government organisations is desirable.

The successful appointee will have a reputation for upholding the highest of ethics and integrity and living the values of Fairness, Care, Courage and Inclusion.

Senior Executive Service Level 2 (SES2) classification with a maximum term up to 5 years.

The Organisation

VLA is an independent statutory authority with a vision for a fair, just and inclusive society where people can get help with their legal problems and have a stronger voice in how laws and legal processes affect them

The organisation helps people with legal problems involving family breakdown, child protection, family violence, criminal matters, social security, mental health, discrimination, guardianship and administration, fines, immigration, tenancy and debt.

Criminal Law services are delivered across five program areas:

• Summary Crime
• Therapeutic Justice
• Indictable Crime
• Youth Crime
• Appeals and Strategic Litigation

VLA is an employer committed to creating equal opportunities, and a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to apply for positions within our organisation. We are also committed to making adjustments, where possible, for people with disabilities.

For more information on the organisation visit: legalaid.vic.gov.au.

To obtain a detailed candidate information pack visit www.fisherleadership.com/opportunities

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

Reference VLAedc0724,

Please address your cover letter and resume Deborah Komesaroff or David Baber of Fisher Leadership, or call 1300 347 437 for further information.

A position description is attached.