Managing Lawyer – Migration Program

Managing Lawyer – Migration Program

Lead legal practice. Drive systemic change. Make a difference.

Are you an experienced lawyer and people leader looking for an opportunity to use your legal expertise to create meaningful change? If yes, join our Women’s Legal Centre in Melbourne, in a flexible, hybrid role.

This is a full time, fixed term role (October 2026 – October 2027)

About inTouch

inTouch is at the forefront of providing integrated and culturally responsive services to women from migrant and refugee communities experiencing family violence. For over 40 years, we’ve championed the cause of our clients, helping more than 30,000 women, children and families to thrive despite the challenges they’ve faced. Our approach is unique and effective, thanks to our inLanguage, inCulture delivery model and our team’s profound and personal understanding of cultural sensitivities and the migration journey.

inTouch is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to being an organisation that embraces a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion within our workforce and approach to service delivery. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic communities, people of all ages and LGBTIQA+ people.

About the Role 

As Managing Lawyer – Migration Program, you will provide operational and professional leadership to our migration legal team, working closely with the Executive Manager, Legal Services and Principal Lawyer.

You will lead and supervise Senior Lawyers, Lawyers and Paralegals, while also maintaining a senior legal practice that includes complex migration and family violence matters.

You will be part of an integrated service model, working closely with inTouch case managers and other teams to ensure clients receive coordinated, holistic support on their journey to safety.

The role combines:

• People leadership and professional supervision
• Complex migration and family violence legal practice
• Team and workflow management
• Service design and continuous improvement
• Community legal education and sector engagement
• Partnership development and stakeholder engagement
• Risk management, evaluation and monitoring
• Law reform and strategic projects

You will also represent the Legal Centre externally through partnerships, committees, professional forums, community legal education and other initiatives that advance the rights and safety of migrant and refugee women.

Key Responsibilities

Working alongside the Executive Manager, Legal Services and Principal Lawyer, you will:

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the migration and paralegal teams, including workflow, rostering, performance and professional development.
• Provide expert legal advice and representation in complex migration and family violence matters, including intervention order and related proceedings.
• Supervise, mentor and develop lawyers and paralegals, supporting high-quality legal practice and professional growth.
• Promote reflective, culturally responsive and trauma-informed legal practice.
• Support implementation and review of the Legal Centre’s Strategic Plan and operational priorities.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve service delivery, systems and client outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with inTouch’s case management and other direct service teams to strengthen our integrated practice model.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with government, community, legal and social service organisations.
• Lead and participate in community legal education, law reform and other Legal Centre projects.
• Operate legal outposts, including Health Justice Partnerships and other collaborative service initiatives.
• Represent inTouch at seminars, committees, sector forums and stakeholder meetings.
• Keep abreast of relevant developments in migration, family violence and related areas of law.

The benefits of working with us? 

You’ll be part of a mission-driven organisation that is making a tangible difference in the lives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and their communities. inTouch offers a supportive, diverse and dynamic work environment, where innovation, passion and resilience are at the heart of what we do.

When you join inTouch, you can expect a range of benefits designed to foster your professional growth and ensure your overall wellbeing, including:  

• A collaborative and nurturing team culture within a positive working environment, fostering mutual support, and continuous learning.
• Competitive salary plus packaging option.
• Hybrid – office /working from home model.
• 5 weeks Annual Leave.
• Ongoing training, career progression and professional development opportunities.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program.
• Purchased leave option.

Key Selection Criteria:

Essential

• A current Australian Practising Certificate entitling you to practise in Victoria as a Legal Practitioner without restriction (mandatory).
• Substantial experience in complex legal matters, particularly migration and family violence law.
• Demonstrated experience working as a senior lawyer and advocate in complex matters.
• Strong people management skills and the ability to lead, motivate, supervise and develop a professional team.
• Demonstrated experience providing high-quality professional supervision, mentoring and coaching.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with clients experiencing social and economic disadvantage.
• The ability to build constructive relationships with community, government, legal and social service partners.
• Experience identifying and implementing service improvements and contributing strategic advice on legal and policy issues.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to creating a supportive, accountable and high-performing team environment.
• A strong commitment to social justice and improving outcomes for migrant and refugee women and children.

Desirable

• Experience in a Community Legal Centre environment, familiarity with NACLC risk management and cross-checking requirements, knowledge of Victoria Legal Aid systems and funding guidelines, and an understanding of immigration law and family violence exemptions will be highly regarded.
• Lived experience or a strong understanding of migrant and refugee communities, including diverse cultural norms and communication styles, is also highly valued.

To be successful for the role you’ll also need: 

• Genuine commitment to social justice and to assisting migrant and refugee women and children.
• High ethical standards and values, ability to act with integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to sensitively manage stakeholder relationships.
• A level of maturity and professional accomplishment and track record appropriate to the representational aspects of the role.

Ready to apply?

If this sounds like the role for you then click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.

Please note your application will not be considered unless you provide a cover letter responding to the key selection criteria (maximum 2 pages of text) and an updated Resume.

Reach out to hr@intouch.org.au if you require support to complete your application or adjustments based on your access needs.

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check (including an international police check if resided continuously in an overseas country for 12 months or more in the last ten years), Working with Children Check, Reference checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.

In accordance with our Equal Opportunity Exemption (H326/2023), this position is open to applicants who identify as female only.

Applications close:  17 September 2026*

*Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and inTouch reserves the right to close the position prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.