Managing Lawyer, MHDL

• Full time ongoing position
• Salary based on experience, range: $122,401 - $155,782 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced lawyer and manager to join the Mental Health and Disability Law management team and provide day to day operational management of legal staff, working with the Program Manager to lead and support the design and provision of high-quality mental health and disability legal services. Given recent growth in the team, including with funding from Department of Health to implement a new co-designed legal service model, the Mental Health Legal Rights Service, you will work closely with the existing Managing Lawyer to provide effective management and coaching to lawyers within the team, including mentoring Senior Lawyers to supervise and develop staff. Managing Lawyers also contribute to improved consumers outcomes through strong stakeholder engagement and the development and implementation of effective strategic advocacy and law reform initiatives, working closely with the Program Manager to develop, implement and evaluate program objectives.

In this role you will use your experience as a lawyer and advocate in complex civil law matters, in particular for consumers with mental health and disability law matters to provide effective supervision and management and development opportunities to lawyers in the team. You will have strong leadership skills including building collaborative relationships and in developing and motivating a team and fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment.

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

About you:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience in leading and managing a team, helping them grow and stay positive in a supportive team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to work as a lawyer in complex civil law matters including substantial knowledge or practical experience in the law and relevant court procedures.
• Experience in designing, planning, monitoring and evaluating services and initiatives and proven experience in working autonomously, meeting deadlines and making complex decisions in a timely way.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the capacity to influence and negotiate with people across all levels.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise 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.

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 arrangement
• 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)

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.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Catherine Leslie, Program Manager, MHDA  on (03) 9280 3***. 

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024

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.