Practice Manager

The Opportunity:

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is seeking a Legal Practice Manager to lead a Practice Management Unit (PMU). Reporting to the Chief Lawyer, the PMU provides support for the Branch and the Chief Lawyer. The Practice Manager is responsible for the operation of the Practice Management Unit (PMU), including the supervision of a team of administrative staff.

The PMU provides administrative support for the Branch, develops and administers the branch's systems to support a diverse, full service legal practice supporting the Agency. These systems include business and workforce planning including recruitment, managing legal procurement, billing, invoicing and reporting for external legal expenditure. You will have responsibility for innovations and system improvements for the legal information systems and legal research tools and compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2017. You will be responsible for motivating, mentoring and supervising staff to deliver on initiatives and goals whilst striving to create an inclusive, responsive and effective environment.

As well as managing the PMU you will be an integral member of the leadership cohort and make valuable contributions to the management of the Branch. Key duties of the role include:

• administering the division's legal matter management system and advice register
• developing and managing templates and guides for the Legal Services Branch and the NIAA
• management of procurement of external legal services
• management of compliance and reporting obligation under the Legal Services Directions 2017
• development and implementation of business plans
• recruitment and workforce planning
• coordinating professional development and training
• internal budgeting and forecasting for business needs
• managing administrative support

Our ideal candidate will have:

• demonstrated capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency
• legal qualifications and the ability to hold and maintain a practising certificate and/or business administration qualification and/or considerable relevant experience
• excellent communication still and the ability to create and maintain strategic relationships
• sound understanding of inhouse government legal functions and the ability to plan and execute practice management innovations
• demonstrated ability to contribute to the leadership of the branch and provide strategic oversight for legal practice management functions
• Legal qualifications and the ability to hold and maintain a practising certificate and/or business administration qualification and/or considerable relevant experience.

What We Offer:

• We have exciting work with real purpose.We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples—it's our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.
• We value our employees —they're the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development.
• Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships — we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders.

Eligibility:

• To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
• The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (Secret, Confidential, Highly Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
• The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check

How to apply:

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you Submit an online application through the NIAA Careers Page by 11:30pm, Wednesday 24 September 2025, AEST