Program Director, Grants Management Transformation

• Maximum term position up to 2.5 years
• Salary range: $192,015 - $214,082 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

Program Director - Transformation and Innovation

Talent International is proud to partner with Victoria Legal Aid which is seeking an accomplished Program Director to drive a multi-year initiative to modernise and simplify the organisation's grants management approach - a whole-of-business reform program that will reshape systems, processes, and culture.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a complex transformation program that places clients at the centre. You'll lead the design and implementation of new operating models, which will likely include new or modified capabilities across technology platforms, data integrations, lean and streamlined business processes, and the necessary behavioural changes that deliver better outcomes, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency.

As the Program Director, you will:

• Lead a high-performing program office and oversee program governance, planning, financials, risk management, and other core program management processes.
• Drive business process re-engineering, simplifying and standardising workflows to improve user experience and reduce waste.
• Partner with diverse internal and external stakeholders - including private practitioners, community legal centres, technology vendors, and government reform partners - to ensure alignment and successful adoption of new capabilities and a new operating model.
• Champion innovation and build on digital transformation and platform simplification efforts, including the use of artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making and automate processes using strong data governance practices.
• Build and foster a collaborative, change-ready culture through strong leadership, communication, and engagement strategies.

About you:

You are a strategic and influential leader with a proven record of delivering large-scale, multi-stakeholder transformation programs within government or similarly complex environments. You bring deep expertise in capability-enabled reform, with a focus on digital and platform enablement, exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to translate strategic vision into tangible outcomes. Experience in grants management, government, payments or finance-related reform will be highly regarded. Experience with modern methods such as human-centred design and agile operating models will be highly regarded.

What's on offer:

• An opportunity to lead a major organisation reform program
• Multi-year program with executive and board-level visibility
• Meaningful work in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment
• Melbourne CBD location with flexible hybrid working

If you're ready to lead a transformative initiative that will have lasting impact across the organisation and its stakeholders, we'd love to hear from you

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

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 offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy 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
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
• 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 addressing the key selection criteria listed within the attached Candidate information pack.

For further information, please review the attached Candidate Information Pack or contact Chris Mackay, Client Relationship Manager, Talent International, or

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 our team.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 3 December 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.