Executive Director Criminal Law

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional growth

Wellbeing framework

Job summary

Legal Aid NSW seeks an Executive Director, Criminal Law to provide strategic leadership of its statewide criminal law program and to oversee a network of metropolitan, regional and specialist teams as well as private practitioners.

You will lead more than 300 legal and allied professionals, drive organisational reform, and influence criminal justice policy while ensuring accessible, client-centred services across NSW. A dynamic, public-sector leadership role.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in criminal law and the criminal justice system.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary legal teams.
• Strong strategic leadership and reform-driven mindset.
• Track record engaging with judiciary, government and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of Legal Aid NSW's criminal law program and statewide delivery.
• Oversee in-house teams and private practitioners to ensure high-quality services.
• Lead 300+ professionals and drive organisational reform and service excellence.
• Collaborate with government agencies, judiciary and stakeholders to improve access to justice.

Skills

Criminal law

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Public sector experience

Education

Legal degree

Job description

Sydney CBD location with flexible working options

About Legal Aid NSW

Legal Aid NSW is the largest legal aid agency in Australia, comprising a Central Sydney office and 28 offices in metropolitan, regional and remote locations across NSW. It was established under the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 as an independent authority to help economically and socially disadvantaged people to understand and protect their rights in the legal system. In partnership with private practitioners, Legal Aid NSW provides legal services across all parts of NSW.

About the Criminal Law Program

Legal Aid NSW’s criminal law program is the largest single criminal law practice in Australia. It includes providing legal representation in the Local, District and Supreme Courts; specialist legal practices for children and First Nations clients, and in parole and preventative detention.

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team of Legal Aid NSW as Executive Director, Criminal Law.

As the Executive Director Criminal Law, you will provide strategic leadership of Legal Aid NSW's criminal law program, overseeing the delivery of high-quality criminal law services across a statewide network of metropolitan, regional and specialist in house teams and private practitioners.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, you will shape the future direction of the criminal law program. You will lead more than 300 legal and allied professionals, drive organisational strategy, influence criminal justice reform, and ensure Legal Aid NSW continues to deliver accessible, client-centred services to some of the state's most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. You will also contribute to the overall strategic direction and purpose of Legal Aid NSW.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a complex and highly respected practice at a time of significant change and innovation across the justice sector. You will work closely with government agencies, the judiciary, legal assistance partners, professional bodies and community stakeholders to improve outcomes for clients and strengthen access to justice across NSW.

About You

You are a highly respected senior leader with extensive experience in criminal law and a deep understanding of the criminal justice system. You have built a career leading complex legal practices, driving strategic reform and delivering high-quality legal services within criminal law, government, or related justice agencies.

Recognised for your legal expertise and sound judgement, you bring significant experience navigating complex legal, operational and policy environments. You are a credible and influential leader, capable of engaging effectively with the judiciary, government, legal profession and justice sector stakeholders to shape outcomes that improve access to justice and enhance service delivery.

You thrive in complex and dynamic environments and have a demonstrated ability to balance strategic priorities, operational performance and financial accountability. You are passionate about developing people, fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture, and leading innovation and reform in a rapidly evolving criminal justice landscape.

You will demonstrate:

• extensive experience and recognised expertise in criminal law, including a strong understanding of contemporary criminal justice issues, trends and reform opportunities.
• significant experience leading large-scale legal services and multidisciplinary teams within a complex operating environment.
• exceptional strategic leadership capabilities, with the ability to shape organisational direction and drive service excellence.
• highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including experience working with senior government leaders, the judiciary, partner agencies and the legal profession.
• a proven ability to lead organisational change, drive innovation and deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
• sound financial, workforce and resource management experience within a large and complex organisation.
• a strong commitment to developing inclusive, high-performing teams and fostering a culture of wellbeing, accountability and collaboration, and
• the ability to identify emerging challenges and opportunities in the criminal justice system and translate these into practical and effective responses.

You Belong Here

Whether you’re delivering frontline legal services or strengthening our organisation from behind the scenes, our people help create fairer outcomes for the people across NSW.

We’re building a workplace where every culture, identity, ability and voice is 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 your 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. You’ll love our:

• 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, 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.
• 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

Targeted Question 1: Describe a significant organisational or service reform initiative that you have led. What was your approach, how did you influence key stakeholders, and what outcomes were achieved?

Targeted Question 2: This role requires balancing strategic leadership, operational performance and external stakeholder engagement. How have you successfully managed these competing priorities in a senior executive role?