Executive Director – Criminal Law

NSW Department of Communities and Justice

. Provide strategic leadership of Legal Aid NSW’s criminal law program .

Posted 10/26/2026full-timeSydney • AustraliaLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in criminal law and strategic leadership, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, organisational change, and delivering high-quality legal services. Proven ability to foster inclusive teams and drive innovation in complex environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Extensive Experience In Criminal LawStrategic Leadership CapabilitiesStakeholder Engagement SkillsOrganisational Change LeadershipFinancial Management Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Criminal Law ExpertiseLegal Services ManagementResource ManagementContinuous ImprovementClient-Centred Service Delivery

Soft Skills

Influencing SkillsTeam DevelopmentCollaborationAccountabilityWellbeing Promotion

Certifications & Qualifications

Unrestricted NSW Practising CertificateWorking With Children CheckCriminal Record CheckConduct Service Check

Industry Keywords

Criminal Justice ReformLegal Aid ServicesMultidisciplinary TeamsGovernment Agencies CollaborationAccess To Justice

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic leadership of Legal Aid NSW’s criminal law program
Oversee delivery of high-quality criminal law services across metropolitan, regional, and specialist in-house teams and private practitioners
Lead more than 300 legal and allied professionals
Drive organisational strategy and shape the future direction of the criminal law program
Influence criminal justice reform
Ensure accessible, client-centred services for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities
Contribute to Legal Aid NSW’s overall strategic direction and purpose
Work with government agencies, the judiciary, legal assistance partners, professional bodies, and community stakeholders
Improve client outcomes and strengthen access to justice across NSW
Balance strategic priorities, operational performance, and financial accountability
Develop people, foster a high-performing inclusive culture, and lead innovation and reform

Requirements

What you’ll need

Extensive experience and recognised expertise in criminal law
Strong understanding of contemporary criminal justice issues, trends, and reform opportunities
Significant experience leading large-scale legal services and multidisciplinary teams in a complex operating environment
Exceptional strategic leadership capabilities
Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
Experience working with senior government leaders, the judiciary, partner agencies, and the legal profession
Proven ability to lead organisational change, drive innovation, and deliver continuous improvement
Financial, workforce, and resource management experience in a large and complex organisation
Commitment to developing inclusive, high-performing teams and fostering wellbeing, accountability, and collaboration
Ability to identify emerging criminal justice challenges and opportunities and translate them into practical responses
Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or Australian permanent residency
Unrestricted NSW Practising Certificate
Successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working with Children Check, Criminal Record Check, and Conduct Service Check
Resume of up to 5 pages
Cover letter of up to 2 pages addressing the targeted questions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible working options and work-life balance support
Professional growth opportunities
Practical Legal Training and work placements
Mentoring, training, and secondment opportunities
Work health, safety and wellbeing programs
Wellbeing training, resources, and respectful work practices
Inclusive and diverse workplace
Recruitment adjustments and accessibility support