Managing Lawyer â Child Protection

Lead and inspire a legal team delivering high-quality services in family violence child protection and crime while driving innovation and advocacy for women and non-binary people.

Womens Legal Service Victoria Melbourne CBD Immediate start Hybrid working model Full time or Part time negotiable (minimum 0.8 FTE) Ongoing

• Be a part of a feminist community legal service supporting Victorian women.
• Your expertise will directly contribute to building a more gender-equitable society.
• Competitive remuneration 5 weeks annual leave and flexible work arrangements.

About Us

For over 40 years Womens Legal Service Victoria (Womens Legal) has championed womens rights to live free from violence. We are a dedicated team with a passion for working with women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination by:

• Providing high quality integrated legal services for Victorian women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence and disadvantagedor marginalised by structural and systemic barriers.
• Building the capacity of professionals who work with women and non-binary people to better understandthe law and navigate the legal system safely.
• Advancing gender equality by challenging unsafe and discriminatory policies andlaws and informing and advocating for legal and policy initiatives that respect andpromote the rights of women and non-binary people.

About the Role

The Managing Lawyer will ensure the delivery of high-quality best practice legal services to women and non-binary people experiencing disadvantage within an integrated service model. They will foster a culture of excellence collaboration and innovation while also contributing to the organisations strategic advocacy priorities.

• Lead the day-to-day management of a legal team working across child protection family violence and summary crime.
• Provide subject matter expertise guidance and professional development to staff both within the directorate and outside.
• Manage the delivery of duty lawyer and pilot services as well as integrated programs such as our Health Justice Partnership with Monash Hospital.
• Oversee casework intake and ensure our services meet organisational priorities funding obligations and client needs.
• Continue to build and strengthen external stakeholder relationships.

About You

You are an experienced legal practitioner with a deep commitment to social justice and feminist values. You thrive in a leadership role balancing strategic oversight with hands-on practice. You communicate with clarity and empathy can manage competing priorities and are driven to deliver high-quality clientcentred services.

Key to your success is your:

• High level knowledge and experience in family violence child protection and/or summary crime.
• Experience in leading and supervising a team of lawyers including managing risk.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop a high-performing team.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively engage with clients colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to take strategic and practical approaches to case resolution while maintaining professional and ethical standards.
• Sensitivity and empathy in working with people with complex needs.

You will:

• Hold or be eligible to hold a current unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate (Principal certificate able to receive trust monies is highly desirable).
• Bring at least five years post-admission experience in child protection and/or summary crime.
• Have demonstrated experience working with women experiencing family and/or sexual violence.
• Hold a valid Working with Children Check (or be willing to obtain one).

Why Womens Legal

In return for your dedication we offer:

• Competitive remuneration
• 5 weeks annual leave plus bonus leave between Christmas and New Year!
• Paid parental leave and reproductive health leave
• Cultural leave
• A strong commitment to your professional development personal development and wellbeing
• A hybrid working model and a flexible working environment that supports work/non-work balance
• NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15900 in tax-free pay every year) plus meal and entertainment benefits (up to $2650 tax-free pay per year)
• Fresh fruit available in the office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program

To apply

Submit a resume and covering letter to tell us how you are the right candidate for this role. Please ensure the cover letter addresses how you personally align to Womens Legal values as described in the attached position description.

Research shows that women are less likely to apply for roles if they dont meet 100% of the selection criteria. We encourage you to apply even if you dont meet all the criteria but this role sounds like a good fit for you.

All successful candidates will be required to produce a national criminal history check prior to the commencement of their employment.

Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude appointment by Womens Legal but if needed we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate Womens Legal will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.

Please note all staff employed by Womens Legal Service Victoria are required to comply with Section 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be emailed to Ruth McKendrick HR Officer at

Equal Opportunity Employer

We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge skills and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences including people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with disability with lived experience of family and sexual violence and from migrant refugee culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds.

If this is you we strongly encourage you to apply.

Womens Legal relies on an exception under the Equal Opportunity Act to employ women only.

Applications close 9am Monday 15 September 2025.