Executive Director - Civil Law Division

Legal Aid NSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Legal Aid NSW is seeking an Executive Director, Civil Law to lead one of Australia’s largest civil law practices. You will provide strategic oversight of statewide civil law services, manage a large multidisciplinary workforce, and drive reform, innovation and high-quality client outcomes across metropolitan and regional locations.

You will report to the CEO, guide substantial resources and funding streams, and shape organisational strategy while partnering with government, the profession and

Qualifications

• Extensive executive leadership experience in a complex legal, justice, public sector or related environment.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to shape long-term organisational direction.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams and developing high-performing leaders.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing significant budgets, resources and organisational risk.
• A proven ability to drive innovation, reform and continuous improvement.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to provide credible advice at executive, board and government levels.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, equity and public service values.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to executive decision‑making and organisational strategy.
• Lead the development and delivery of statewide civil law priorities and services.
• Provide expert advice to the Executive and Board on emerging civil justice issues, legislative reform and policy initiatives.
• Oversee the allocation of resources to maximise service effectiveness and client outcomes.
• Lead and develop senior leaders while fostering a positive, inclusive and high‑performing culture.
• Build and maintain influential relationships across government, the legal profession and the broader community sector.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Innovation & reform

Communication skills

Public service values

Job description

Executive Director, Civil Law PSSE Band 2 • Ongoing full-time opportunity • PSSE Band 2 remuneration package • Sydney CBD location with flexible working options

About Legal Aid NSW

We stand beside people when they need it most. At Legal Aid NSW, fairness isn’t just a legal principle, it shapes everything we do - our culture, our services, our workplace and our decisions. Since 1979, Legal Aid NSW has provided legal advice, support and representation in criminal, family and civil law, helping people across NSW navigate hardship and complex legal issues. Our work is challenging, but deeply meaningful. In partnerships with Law Access NSW, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, we are located throughout the state including our Central Sydney office, 25 regional offices, and satellite and outreach offices.

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team of Legal Aid NSW as Executive Director, Civil Law. Leading one of the largest and most complex civil law practices in Australia, you will provide strategic leadership for statewide civil law services, ensuring Legal Aid NSW continues to deliver high-quality, client-focused and innovative legal assistance to people experiencing hardship and disadvantaged communities across New South Wales. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead a large multidisciplinary workforce across metropolitan and regional locations, oversee significant resources and funding streams, and drive strategic reform, service innovation and operational excellence. You will play a critical role in shaping organisational strategy, influencing public policy and strengthening partnerships across government, the legal assistance sector and community organisations. You will also:

• Contribute to executive decision-making and organisational strategy
• Lead the development and delivery of statewide civil law priorities and services
• Provide expert advice to the Executive and Board on emerging civil justice issues, legislative reform and policy initiatives
• Oversee the allocation of resources to maximise service effectiveness and client outcomes
• Lead and develop senior leaders while fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture
• Build and maintain influential relationships across government, the legal profession and the broader community sector.

About You

You are an accomplished senior executive leader with an outstanding track record of leading complex legal, professional or public sector organisations through strategic change, service delivery improvement and workforce leadership. You bring exceptional judgement, political acumen and stakeholder engagement capabilities, together with a commitment to access to justice and improving outcomes for vulnerable communities. You will demonstrate:

• Extensive executive leadership experience in a complex legal, justice, public sector or related environment
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to shape long-term organisational direction
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams and developing high-performing leaders
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills
• Experience managing significant budgets, resources and organisational risk
• A proven ability to drive innovation, reform and continuous improvement
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to provide credible advice at executive, board and government levels
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, equity and public service values

You Belong Here

Here, every role has purpose. Whether you’re delivering frontline legal services or strengthening our organisation from behind the scenes, you’ll help create fairer outcomes for the people across NSW. We’re building a workplace where every culture, identity, ability and voice are included and valued. We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with visible and invisible disability, culturally diverse communities, and LGBTQI+ communities so you can connect and flourish at every stage of career. You will be part of a diverse and inclusive organisation, working alongside like-minded and values driven people dedicated to justice, community impact, and delivering exceptional support and service through cross collaboration.

Benefits of working at Legal Aid NSW

As an employee of Legal Aid NSW, you will have access to and enjoy a variety of support and benefits so you can thrive professionally and personally.

Flexible Working - we are a Flex Ready certified and Carers and Employers accredited organisation. We are leading the way in offering a variety of flexible working options to uniquely support your unique work life balance.

Professional Growth – as the largest law firm in NSW we offer a variety of opportunities to enhance your career at every stage, through regional graduate programs, Practical Legal Training and work placements, mentoring, training, and secondment opportunities.

Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing – with dedicated programs, training, resources, and respectful work practices, our Wellbeing Framework ensures your physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing matters, so you feel supported, safe and holistically well.

Essential Requirements

• Hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency
• Hold an Unrestricted NSW Practicing Certificate
• Undertake relevant pre-employment checks such as Working with Children Check, Criminal Record Check, and Conduct Service Check

We may use this recruitment to create a Talent Pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

For accessibility support/recruitment adjustments, contact [e-mail]. For information on Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments, visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW. For more information about the recruitment process and working at Legal Aid NSW view our Candidate Information Pack. For role specific enquiries, please contact Axel Maire, Talent Acquisition Lead, at [e-mail] or [phone]. For recruitment enquiries, contact the Talent Acquisition Team on 02 9134 9347 or via [e-mail]. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to connect with the Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch for a yarn. For guidance on preparing for interviews, explore the NSW Public Sector’s interactive Capability Application Tool. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. We look forward to receiving your application!