Managing Lawyer, Child Protection

Managing Counsel Location: Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country; regular travel to Melbourne, Moorabbin and Wyndham Children’s Courts. About the role You will support the Program Manager in the operational service design and leadership of the Child Protection program, ensuring effective child protection legal service delivery by both VLA and practice partners in metropolitan areas. The role involves significant engagement with colleagues across VLA and with external stakeholders including private practitioners, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal legal services, the Children’s Court and the Child Protection Litigation Office of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. This role will also involve providing leadership and management to a team of lawyers and administrative staff delivering services in the Family Division of the Melbourne, Moorabbin and Wyndham Children’s Courts. About you Experience in successfully developing, managing and motivating a high performing team and fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment. Extensive knowledge and practice experience in child protection and intervention order matters in the Children’s Court, including advocacy on behalf of parents and/or young people in complex matters. Demonstrated ability to manage service delivery operations, including experience with service guidelines, rostering, liaising with service delivery partners and understanding and use of data and reports to manage operations and identify ongoing improvements. \ and communication skills with an ability to influence and negotiate, to engage and build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Don’t meet every requirement? If you are excited about this role but your CV doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. 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 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) Access to discounted Private Health Insurance How to apply To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the following key selection criteria: KSC 1 – Demonstrated people management and leadership capabilities including proven experience in successfully developing, managing and motivating a high performing team and fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment. KSC 3 – Demonstrated ability to manage service delivery operations, including experience with service guidelines, rostering, liaison with service delivery partners and the understanding and use of data and reports to manage operations and identify ongoing improvements. 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 Heidi Deason, Program Manager – Children’s Law on or No agency applications will be accepted. Application Deadline Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 26 November 2025. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr