• Full time ongoing role
• Salary Range: $157,341 - $180,991 plus super and salary packaging
• Melbourne based role

This pivotal senior leadership role at Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) offers a unique opportunity to use strategic communications and strategic advocacy to drive meaningful change and deliver tangible outcomes for the community. If you're passionate about improving access to justice and making a difference, this is your chance to lead an innovative communications function and the provision of legal information and education services that empower Victorians.

About Victoria Legal Aid
In line with our values - fairness, care, courage and inclusion - VLA serves the community by providing legal representation and advice, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy, information and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems, and ongoing assistance and representation to those who need it most.

About the role
The Associate Director, Communications, Engagement and Legal Information, is a senior position requiring commensurate skills and experience. This role presents the opportunity to centre and amplify client voices and experiences, working collaboratively with the legal assistance sector, to achieve better client outcomes and a fairer justice system.

You will work closely with the CEO, senior executive, key partners, your immediate team and many staff across VLA.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you'll be at the forefront of:

• Leading and overseeing strategic communications and stakeholder engagement that influence policy outcomes, advocate for systemic reform and support organisational strategies
• Steering VLA's internal and external communications priorities through dynamic campaigns, story-telling, media engagement and digital innovation
• Enhancing our community legal information and education functions to meet evolving community need
• Providing authoritative advice and guidance to senior leadership while managing a diverse, high-performing team
• Overseeing our website and digital channels to ensure we remain modern, accessible and responsive.

This role is based at VLA's Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

This is a full time and ongoing role. The position provides flexible work arrangements—including a hybrid model of office-based and working from home —a supportive and collaborative culture, complemented by a competitive benefits package that supports your professional development and wellbeing.

About you
You're a visionary leader that is values driven with a passion to apply high calibre communications expertise in a social justice setting . You excel in proactive and reactive approaches, influencing change, shaping reputations and enhancing stakeholder and public trust. Your leadership inspires a high-performing team in a complex service delivery environment.

With proven success in public and not-for-profit sectors, you adeptly manage diverse stakeholders and drive innovative strategies that advance VLA's mission and purpose.

Your experience likely demonstrates the following:

• Significant team leadership experience with a public affairs focus.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at the intersection of government, media, community, and other key stakeholders .
• Extensive experience developing high-impact communications and advocacy in the public and/or not-for profit sectors.
• The ability to build collaborative relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
• An understanding (or can quickly learn) the legal and social challenges affecting disadvantaged Victorians.

You embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, and are driven by the purpose of VLA's work.

How to apply
Interested to know more?

Please apply online so that Matt Harrison from Hope & Glory can discuss your interests and suitability. Please submit your current resume and a short cover letter (no longer than two pages) briefly addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the candidate information pack (listed within the file attachments).

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.

Questions can be asked at (03) 9578 1000. Please leave a message for Matt Harrison and your call will be returned during standard business hours.

All applications and enquiries will be responded to, and the outcome of the process will be made known to all applicants.

All applicants must have full work rights for Australia and the preferred applicant will undergo full background checks.

In applying, you accept Hope & Glory's privacy statement, which can be found at www.hopeandglory.com.au.

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