Senior Manager, Programs and Standards

Magistrates Court; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Court Services Victoria seeks a senior leader to drive therapeutic justice initiatives within a newly established division. You will lead statewide program standards, influence practice, and shape reform across Victoria's courts and related bodies.

The role requires a confident, collaborative leader who can navigate complex stakeholder environments and translate expert knowledge into practical, sustainable improvements within a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Experience within the Victorian justice system is essential.
• Strong policy, strategy and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change and foster continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of family violence dynamics, MARAM and information sharing frameworks.
• Knowledge of criminogenic risk factors and therapeutic justice principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead program excellence and influence statewide practice across the Victorian court system.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and reform to strengthen service design and delivery.
• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice to Judicial Officers, leaders and frontline staff.
• Translate specialist knowledge into practical and sustainable outcomes across multiple venues.

Skills

Policy leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Strategic thinking

Job description

• Key leadership role driving therapeutic justice initiatives in a newly established division.
• Lead statewide program standards and continuous improvement.
• Hybrid work arrangements and the opportunity to help shape the future of court-based programs.

About Us

Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission. Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the ‘Courts Group'. Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdiction's own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly. The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The MCV determines in excess of 200,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, dealing with over 90 percent of all adult cases that come before Victorian courts each year. MCV aims to be an innovative, accessible and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.

About the Role

Lead program excellence, influence state-wide practice, and drive meaningful reform across the Victorian court system. The Court Services and Quality team ensures the integrity, consistency and effectiveness of court-based programs and services. Working closely with Judicial Officers, Court leaders and frontline staff, the team provides expert advice, strengthens practice standards, and drives continuous improvement across the state. Working closely with judicial officers, senior leaders and frontline staff, you will provide strategic leadership, drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for reform that strengthen service design and delivery. This role requires a confident and collaborative leader who can influence across all levels of the organisation, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and translate specialist knowledge into practical and sustainable outcomes.

About You

• Experience within the Victorian justice system is essential, with a comprehensive understanding of courts and the broader justice policy and service delivery challenges facing Victoria.
• Strong policy, strategy and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence outcomes in complex environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, build capability and foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of family violence dynamics, risk factors, the MARAM and information sharing legislation and frameworks.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of criminogenic risk factors and theories of behaviour change, as well as an understanding of therapeutic justice principles and practices, which underpin justice-based interventions and the processes of behaviour change.

Other information

CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce. We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply. We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live. If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to email the contact person listed in the advertisement. As part of our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, CSV conduct pre-employment checks, including reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially, with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both candidates and Court Services Victoria.