Manager - Strategic Advocacy and Policy

• Job Function: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• Work Type: Ongoing - full time or part time

• Full time ongoing position (part-time considered)
• Salary range: $138,909 - $162,060 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is looking for a strong First Nations leader to guide our work in advocacy, reform, and community engagement.

As the Manager – Strategic Advocacy and Policy, you will play an important role in making sure that First Nations voices, experiences, and priorities are central to our advocacy and legal reform work.

You will:

• Lead strategic projects that drive change, including responding to recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
• Build strong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, working together to develop shared advocacy goals.
• Provide expert cultural and strategic advice to help shape VLA's policies, services, and reform work.
• Work with community to gather and share lived experience stories (with consent) to support law reform efforts.

This role is an opportunity to lead meaningful work that supports self-determination, community-led advocacy, and long-term structural change.

This is a special measures role and only First Nations people are eligible to apply, as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country, but we welcome applications from candidates outside the Melbourne metro area.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Lived experience as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, with deep knowledge of your community, culture, and the impacts of the legal system.
• Strong skills in building relationships, working in partnership, and influencing change.
• Experience leading projects or services that put people and culture first.
• Clear communication skills – written and spoken – and the ability to explain complex ideas in plain language.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities.
• A strong understanding of VLA's work or a willingness to learn and commit to our values.

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 1400 staff employed in 16 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 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
• 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.

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 Kristen Bell, First Nations Employment Consultant on (03) 9269 0168.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Melissa Harrison, Director, First Nations Services on (03) 9269 0430 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au .

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 25 August 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.