Executive Director - Legal Services - Ongoing

• Permanent, full-time role – 35 hours per week   

• Sydney Office (Haymarket) with flexible/hybrid work arrangements available   

• Newly created role – PSSE Band 2  

About the role

Legal Aid NSW is recruiting an Executive Director Legal Services.  

This is a critical senior leadership role that will provide corporate counsel to the Legal Aid Executive and CEO as required, contributes to the development of the Legal Aid NSW broader strategies and service delivery planning to ensure the provision of high quality and innovative legal services. This role also holds the title of Solicitor on the Record.   

The role works with a high level of autonomy and will escalate issues directly to the CEO and Audit and Risk Committee. In this role, you are fully accountable for the quality, integrity and validity of information and advice provided. 

About you

We are seeking a qualified lawyer and legal counsel specialist with high level leadership and management experience. The successful applicant will exercise excellent operational and strategic judgement, including being able to manage finances, resources and budgets. Also, the successful applicant will have strong stakeholder management skills, be results driven, and able to deliver in line with Legal Aid NSW’s strategic and business plans. 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion

Legal Aid NSW is committed to being a culturally safe and inclusive organisation for all people and communities that work with and interact with us, where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard. 

People with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.  

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au. 

The essential requirements for this role  

You must: 

• Demonstrated leadership experience in a senior executive role responsible for legal services 

• Legal Qualifications 

• Practicing Certificate (unrestricted) 

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges affecting vulnerable people and the impact on their socio-legal requirements 

• Demonstrated executive level experience in enterprise audit and risk management 

• Willing to do a Criminal Record Check and/or Working with Children Check

• Hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (essential for ongoing roles) 

Do you need help to apply? 

It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:  

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact Craig Cole – Talent Acquisition Business Partner via email craig.cole@legalaid.nsw.gov.au 

• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have. 

• The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role. 

• The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.   

• Applying for a Role 

• Working at Legal Aid NSW 

• Guide to creating a resume and cover letter