Head of Practice, Practice Integration - Canberra

Women's Legal Centre; Canberra; On-site; AUD 187,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

The Women's Legal Centre ACT is seeking an experienced legal practice leader to head the new Practice Integration Unit in Canberra. The role focuses on strengthening governance, quality and client experience across legal teams and collaborating with senior leaders.

The Head of Practice leads PIU, including Social Work, Client Access and Intake, and Practice Management teams. It may involve Deputy Director duties, depending on experience. Flexible, non-billable emphasis with cross-practice impact.

Qualifications

• Experience leading managers in a multidisciplinary legal setting.
• Proven ability to drive service improvement and governance across legal teams.
• Commitment to access to justice and trauma-informed practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Practice Integration Unit (PIU) and multidisciplinary teams including Social Work and Client Access/Intake.
• Be accountable for practice systems, service quality and client experience; oversee data and reporting.
• Oversee intake/triage/eligibility/referral processes and contribute to organisation-wide planning.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Law degree

Job description

Head of Practice, Practice Integration - Canberra

Head of Practice, Practice Integration Unit - Canberra

Package up to $208k + salary packaging
Permanent full-time or part-time

The Women's Legal Centre ACT is seeking an experienced legal practice leader to lead our newly created Practice Integration Unit. As our legal practice has grown, we have created the Practice Integration Unit to strengthen consistency, quality and governance across our legal teams and the other professionals who work alongside them.

The Head of Practice is a new senior leadership position and a member of WLC's Practice Management Team, working in close collaboration with the Director Legal Services and CEO and contributing to whole-of-organisation planning and decision making.

The Head of Practice leads the PIU, including the Social Work, Client Access and Intake, and Practice Management and Improvement teams. As Head of Practice, you will:

be accountable for WLC's practice systems, service quality, client experience and complaints, practice modernisation, and data and reporting, overseeing the Practice Management and Improvement team through its manager

oversee the Social Work team through its Senior Manager, ensuring social work services are delivered to professional standards and are integrated with legal practice within WLC's multidisciplinary service model

be accountable for WLC's intake, triage, eligibility, referral and waiting list processes, overseeing the Client Access and Intake team through its manager

Depending on the successful candidate's experience, the role may also be designated Deputy Director of Legal Services, including acting for the Director of Legal Services during periods of absence.

This role is ideal for an experienced legal practice leader who enjoys leading managers and multidisciplinary teams, improving systems and strengthening client experience. Experience working in an integrated legal practice, where lawyers, social workers and other professionals work side by side, is highly desirable. A strong understanding of legal practice is important, but the focus is on people leadership, practice management and service improvement rather than carrying a caseload.

About you

You are an experienced legal practice leader with a passion for access to justice and a commitment to supporting women experiencing discrimination, gender-based violence and complex circumstances:

Identify as a woman, trans or gender diverse person

Hold a law degree

Senior experience leading managers and integrated or multidisciplinary teams

Experience in legal practice management, legal operations, service quality or client service delivery

A commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive and client-centred practice

Strong strategic thinking and demonstrated success leading organisational change

It is also desirable if you have:

Experience overseeing a social work function

A current practising certificate (not essential)

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to use your legal practice knowledge and leadership experience to improve services for clients and contribute to broader systems change.

This role offers something different from many senior legal practice roles.

You will have the opportunity to lead a critical, cross-practice function within a respected women's legal centre with the option to work full-time or part-time in a sustainable and flexible working environment. There are no billable targets, court commitments or individual caseload, and there is a strong focus on collaboration, wellbeing and professional development.

This position may particularly appeal to:

Experienced leaders looking to move beyond the pressures of private practice

Parents and carers seeking greater flexibility and predictability

Senior legal practice professionals looking for a leadership role with purpose and impact

At WLC, you will lead a multidisciplinary unit that works across the legal practice and values collaboration, innovation, reflective practice and continuous improvement. You will have the opportunity to contribute to client experience, service development, practice modernisation and broader systems change.

Who we are

At WLC,we improve women's lives through specialist legal representation, support and advocacy, working alongside our clients to improve their safety, security and access to justice. Our work is grounded in feminist principles, trauma-informed practice and a commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change.

We also believe that doing meaningful work should not come at the expense of having a life outside work. We are committed to being a feminist employer of choice, with working practices that recognise and support the realities of our employees' lives. We support our people to balance work with personal, family, cultural and community responsibilities, and place genuine importance on wellbeing, gender equity and sustainable working practices.

If you're looking for a workplace where you can use your professional skills to make a difference, while being supported to build a career that works with the rest of your life, WLC could be the change you're looking for.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 15 November 2026