Deputy Principal Registrar

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Join to apply for the Deputy Principal Registrar role at Federal Court of Australia

Federal Court of Australia provided pay range

This range is provided by Federal Court of Australia. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

A$307,614.00/yr - A$379,302.00/yr

Position Overview

The Deputy Principal Registrar will support the Chief Justice and Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar in the exercise of their statutory duties and their day-to-day management and operation of the Court.

The Chief Justice is responsible for the management of the administrative affairs of the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) and the effective, orderly and expeditious discharge of the business of the Court under the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth).

The Court has 63 judges and registries in 7 locations nationally. The Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar assists the Chief Justice in the management of the business and administrative affairs of the Court. The Deputy Principal Registrar will also lead the implementation and ongoing operation of the Court's expanded corporate crime jurisdiction and criminal jurisdiction more generally, in consultation with the Chief Justice and National Practice Area Coordinating Judges.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership role - supporting the Administrative Affairs of the Court

The Deputy Principal Registrar will support the Chief Justice and Principal Registrar in the exercise of their statutory duties and their day-to-day management and operation of the Court.

In consultation with the Chief Justice and Principal Registrar, the Deputy Principal Registrar will:

• With the Principal Registrar, actively lead the establishment, shaping and achievement of the Court's key initiatives and objectives across all Court operations. This includes playing a key role in the delivery of Court projects and reform initiatives.
• Ensure Court Registrars and staff resources are structured and deployed to maximise support for judges, professional satisfaction for registrars and staff and to achieve the objectives of the Court.
• Manage the development and review of the Court's policies and practice. This will include formulation and implementation of policies within the Court, development of Court practice documents (e.g. Practice Notes & Judicial Policies) and implementing legislative changes as they arise. In addition, provide high level legal and policy advice, and preparation of key briefing material for the Chief Justice, in relation to sensitive and confidential Court matters such as media and security issues. This will involve management responsibility for staff responsible for these matters.
• Provide high level advice and support to Judicial Committees and Judicial Project Groups.
• Be a member of key Court executive and leadership committees, including Judicial Committees and the Executive Committee.
• Lead key Registrar projects and initiatives in relation to resources and structure, workload management, practice and procedure and learning and development.
• Liaise with the Principal Registrar and District Registrars, as required, in relation to the allocation of Registrar work. This will involve management responsibility for staff responsible for the allocation of Registrar work.
• Provide high level advice and support regarding judicial inductions and national judicial functions such as national conferences and seminars. This will involve management responsibility for staff responsible for managing national judicial functions.
• Take an active role in managing and supporting the Court's international work. This will involve management responsibility for staff responsible for these matters.

The Deputy Principal Registrar will also perform the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar, as required.

In consultation with the Chief Justice and National Practice Area Coordinating Judges, the Deputy Principal Registrar will lead the implementation and ongoing operation of the Court's expanded corporate crime jurisdiction and criminal jurisdiction more generally, as follows:

• In consultation with the Chief Justice, National Practice Area Coordinating Judges and Judges develop the Court's policy and practice relating to the expanded corporate crime jurisdiction and the Federal Crime National Practice Area (NPA).
• Support the Chief Justice & NPA Coordinating Judges with the management of the Federal Crime NPA.
• Lead and mentor Judicial Registrars and staff supporting the Federal Crime NPA.
• Perform delegated judicial functions at a high level, which may include presiding in Court in interlocutory hearings, "Basha" inquiries and other ancillary hearings.
• Engage with Judges collaboratively to identify critical judicial support work to be undertaken by Judicial Registrars for the effective case management and disposition of proceedings.
• Undertake workload analysis and reporting in relation to criminal proceedings.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders in relation to the Court's criminal jurisdiction on a local and national basis.

Senior Stakeholder Management

The Deputy Principal Registrar will:

• Build, maintain and strengthen key strategic relationships with government agencies such as the Attorney General's Department and other key Federal Departments on key issues of policy, governance, legislative change and regimes relating to the Court. In relation to issues requiring legal advice, the Deputy Principal Registrar will manage and coordinate the requests through the Office of General Counsel.
• Build, maintain and strengthen key strategic relationships with external stakeholders including other Courts and Tribunals, the legal profession and other agencies in relation to issues affecting the Court.
• Attend meetings and forums to represent the Court in a principal or support role, as required.
• Build, maintain and strengthen key relationships with internal stakeholders including Judges, General Counsel and National Project Officer.
• With the Principal Registrar, develop and maintain communication and engagement processes to ensure staff and stakeholders are consulted and kept informed about changes to Court practice and operations that affect them and key issues that affect the Court.

Experience, Skills & Attributes

The Deputy Principal Registrar will have demonstrated experience at the executive level, with a track record of innovation, operational improvement, people leadership and senior stakeholder management. This will be combined with a legal background and legal qualifications. To perform the role effectively, the Deputy Principal Registrar will require:

• Advanced legal qualifications and extensive experience in litigation, including criminal litigation.
• Advanced senior management experience, including a significant understanding of the Public Sector and experience in dealing with government agencies.
• Highly advanced strategic, analytical and change management skills.
• Extensive experience creating a culture of achievement and establishing, communicating and maintaining high performance standards including professionalism, rigor and transparency.
• Extensive experience leading and managing staff in a senior management role with a strong collegial reputation and a proven record of motivating and encouraging staff.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills and the ability to engender trust and respect.
• Proven capacity to exemplify and maintain standards of professionalism, commitment and probity.

Application Close on Thursday 25 May 2025 at 11:30 pm (AEST).

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form on the Court's careers portal.

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a written response to the selection criteria listed in the position description (maximum word limit 1500). Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application

If you have any technical issues with applying, please email recruitment@fedcourt.gov.au

Seniority level

• Seniority levelExecutive

Employment type

• Employment typeFull-time

Job function

• Job functionLegal and Other
• IndustriesAdministration of Justice, Legal Services, and Courts of Law

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