Director - Criminal Law

• Full-time fixed term position up to three (3) years
• Salary range: $240,938 - $310,385 TRP
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role

The Director, Criminal Law is a senior leadership role within Victoria Legal Aid's (VLA) Criminal Law directorate. The role provides strategic direction, operational oversight, and expert leadership across three specialist program areas:

• the Youth Crime program, overseeing specialist services to children and young people charged with criminal offending;
• the Indictable Crime program, overseeing criminal law services in higher courts; and
• the Appeals & Strategic Litigation program, which oversees criminal appeal services and identifies opportunities for strategic litigation that advance systemic fairness and reduces the need for individual services

This role is responsible for ensuring excellence in delivery of high‑quality, accessible, and sustainable services across youth crime, indictable crime and appellate work across the mixed model of service delivery, while supporting the professional growth, capability development and leadership skills of practitioners in these areas. This role will also lead VLA's response to significant legislative and system reform.

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

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A current Australian practising certificate
• High Court Registration
• Legal entitlement to work in Australia
• Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to develop and meet strategic priorities, drive positive cultural change, develop and support high-performing teams and respond to emerging and changing organisational needs.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate system‑wide impacts, and contribute to justice sector reform through evidence‑based insights, collaboration, and advocacy.
• Deep expertise in criminal law, with a focus on youth crime, indictable crime and/or appellate practice. This includes an appreciation of the critical role of legal assistance in promoting fairness and access to justice.
• Demonstrated ability to drive service innovation and influence change and law reform, underpinned by experience in complex service design and delivery, including client first approaches, client engagement, data and reporting. 
• High-level communication skills, a demonstrated ability to influence change and law reform, and a proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including within the legal assistance sector and justice system.
• High‑level financial acumen, including the ability to manage complex budgets, assess financial impacts of system reform, and ensure sustainable allocation of resources.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks, with the ability to ensure accountability, manage organisational risk, and uphold high professional and ethical standards.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to whole-of-organisation priorities and strategy by taking an organisation-wide perspective, collaborating across teams, and aligning directorate and organisational goals.
• A knowledge of the general business of VLA and a commitment to our vision and values.

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 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

• 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 click 'Apply Now' to submit your current resume and a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience are aligned with the requirements of the role. 

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 Kate Bundrock, Executive Director, Criminal Law on 03 9280 3842 or for general queries to recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au using the subject line: Director - Criminal Law enquiry via EthicalJobs.

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on the closing date.

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.