Senior Manager

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 167,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC in Melbourne seeks a Senior Manager, Criminal Law Policy to lead a team delivering major criminal law reforms and provide expert advice to the Attorney-General. You will work with Victoria's justice system to advance policy outcomes with clarity and impact.

You will also lead cabinet and parliamentary papers, guide senior leaders, and foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture that supports new ideas and staff development.

Qualifications

• tertiary qualification in law or closely related field
• strong experience leading major legal or policy projects within the justice system
• proven people leadership skills with ability to guide, support and develop a team
• sound legal or policy expertise and understanding of Victoria's justice system
• strong communication and problem-solving skills to advise senior leaders and manage change

Responsibilities

• lead and support a skilled team to plan and deliver major criminal law reforms
• provide clear, expert advice to senior leaders and government on complex legal issues; work with justice agencies to solve difficult problems
• lead the preparation of cabinet papers, parliamentary papers and ministerial replies
• build a strong, inclusive team culture that supports new ideas and helps people grow

Skills

People leadership

Policy development

Stakeholder communication

Legal policy expertise

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC – Melbourne VIC

• Lead major law reforms that shape Victoria's justice system.
• Guide a skilled team to develop laws that make a real difference.
• Work with senior leaders and government on complex legal issues.
• Build a strong team while helping create a safer, fairer Victoria.
• Fixed-term (3 years), full time role earning $166,939 - $191,084 per year, plus super.

About us

Criminal Law Policy (CLP) sits within the Justice System Coordination and Reform (JSCR) group of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). The two CLP teams lead policy development and law reform across criminal law issues, including delivering the Attorney-General's legislative reform program and national reform projects through the Standing Council of Attorneys-General.

Some of CLP's recent projects include:

• changes to address community safety concerns, including new offences and changes to court processes
• bail reforms
• delivering key legislative reforms to improve the justice system response to family violence, stalking and personal safety concerns, such as the new coercive control offence.

We work collaboratively with key entities across the justice system and the department to ensure policy reform is strategic, relevant, holistic and people-centred. We also support the department's relationship with key statutory agencies, including the Sentencing Advisory Council.

What you will do

As Senior Manager, Criminal Law Policy, you will lead a team that develops major changes to criminal law.

You will provide expert advice and guide work that supports the Attorney-General and Victoria's justice system.

You will:

• lead and support a skilled team to plan and deliver major criminal law reforms
• provide clear, expert advice to senior leaders and government on complex legal issueswork with justice agencies to solve difficult problems and improve the justice system
• lead the preparation of cabinet papers, parliamentary papers and ministerial replies
• build a strong, inclusive team culture that supports new ideas and helps people grow.

About you

You must have a tertiary qualification in law or a closely related field.

You should also have:

• strong experience leading major legal or policy projects within the justice system
• proven people leadership skills, with the ability to guide, support and develop a team
• sound legal or policy expertise and an understanding of Victoria's justice system
• strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders, manage change and work well with others.

To learn even more about this role, please read the position description. If you have any further questions, feel free to email Michèle Briggs at **************@justice.vic.gov.au.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The salary range for this position is set out in the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024. Please refer to the Department of Treasury and Finance website (dtf.vic.gov.au) for further information. The department pays new employees at the base of the salary range for their grade. Above-base pay requires executive approval and is only approved in exceptional cases. If you have previously left the Victorian Public Service (VPS) with a departure or separation package, employment restrictions may apply. You may need to work in other areas to support priority projects or programs. The department is committed to providing a safe workplace for all employees. You must follow the Victorian Public Sector Values: responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights. You must also follow the department's policies on the environment, recordkeeping and diversity.

Child safe statement of commitment

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.