Join the Victorian Institute of Teaching as a Managing Principal Lawyer

Location: 717 Bourke Street, Docklands
Employment Type: Full-time, ongoing
Classification: VIT Grade 6.2
Salary: $153,214-$175,373 pa plus statutory superannuation
Reports to: Director, Professional Conduct Branch

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Managing Principal Lawyer to lead our Legal Team within the Professional Conduct Branch. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality legal services and supporting the VIT's statutory obligations in regulating the teaching profession.

You will lead a team of legal professionals, provide expert legal advice, manage complex litigation, and contribute to strategic planning and reform initiatives. This role is ideal for a legal leader with a strong background in regulatory law and a passion for public interest work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Legal Team, including two Grade 6 Legal Managers and approximately 20 indirect reports.
• Provide strategic legal advice on regulatory matters, policy development, and legislative interpretation.
• Oversee disciplinary litigation and criminal prosecutions under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support VIT's regulatory functions.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in legal service delivery.
• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational leadership.
• Manage legal budgets and external legal service providers.

The role may involve exposure to sensitive matters, which can involve allegations of child sexual abuse.

About You

You are a seasoned legal professional with:

• Admission as an Australian Legal Practitioner and at least 7+ years post-admission experience.
• A current Victorian Practising Certificate (or eligibility to obtain one).
• Expertise in administrative law, civil litigation, disciplinary proceedings, or criminal law.
• Demonstrated leadership in a legal services function, ideally within a regulatory environment.
• Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and people leadership skills.
• A commitment to integrity, accountability, and public service values.

How to apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter (no more than 3 pages) addressing the following key selection criteria. Please refer to the attached position description.

• At least 5 years' demonstrated experience leading a legal services function, ideally within a regulatory environment.
• Resilience (Leading)-Creates a climate which encourages and supports openness, persistence and genuine debate around critical issues. Provides sound explanation and argument for agreed positions.
• Working Collaboratively (Leading) Builds a culture of collaboration across the organisation; Looks for and facilitates opportunities to collaborate with external stakeholders; Identifies and overcomes barriers to communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic Planning (Leading)-Guides others through the strategic planning process, creating a shared vision for the future. Has a comprehensive understanding of external and internal issues that influence the strategic direction of the organisation. Ensures that overall strategic plan cascades to operational and team planning processes and performance plans; provides subject matter expertise and building capability of others.
• Lead and navigate change (Accomplished):Implement structured change management initiatives at an organisational level; Clarify purpose and benefits of change to staff and provide leadership in times of uncertainty.

To discuss this role further, please contact Jaclyn Spencer, Director Professional Conduct Branch on 03 8601 6165 or by email at [email protected].

Recruitment and selection process

Our recruitment and selection process is based on the public sector employment principles and will include the following overarching principles

• our decisions will be based on merit - we will assess each applicant's skills, knowledge, attributes and qualifications objectively against the key selection criteria
• we will be fair, reasonable and equitable - we will provide equal employment opportunities
• we will be objective
• we will comply with our privacy obligations during the recruitment and selection process.

During the recruitment and selection process, shortlisted applicants may be asked to submit to various assessment tools and pre-employment screenings. This may include consent to conduct a nationally coordinated criminal history check.

The VIT is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and stakeholders. We require all employees to comply with VIT's vaccination policy.

Applications close: 11.59 pm Wednesday 18 June 2025