Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time or part-time
Salary: $166,939 - $191,084
Grade: VPS 6.2
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/VGSO1001
About the VGSO
The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) serves the rule of law exclusively for the State.
Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. We role-model the Victorian Public Sector values and VGSO's Our Compass pillars, which guides how we work together in everything we do: Proud of what we do; Value every voice; Learn, grow, thrive; Always evolving; Act with care.
About the branch
The Workplace relations, Regulatory, Administrative Law, Safety and Inquiries (WRASI) Branch of the VGSO provides specialist legal services and advice to the State in a broad range of practice areas. The branch has expertise in workplace relations, inquiries, administrative decision making and disciplinary reviews, prosecutions and regulatory proceedings and occupational health and safety matters and conducts complex litigation concerning state care, including historical institutional abuse, as well as personal injury and negligence claims.
This role sits within the Inquiries and State Care team.
About the role
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic legal leader to join the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office as a Managing Principal Solicitor within the Inquiries and State Care team of our Workplace relations, Regulatory, Administrative Law, Safety and Inquiries (WRASI) Branch.
Reporting directly to the Lead Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in leading a team of solicitors and overseeing the delivery of high-quality litigation services and advice across a complex and sensitive portfolio of state care and personal injury matters. This includes claims involving former wards of the State, care leavers and historical institutional abuse matters, many of which are highly sensitive and attract significant public interest. As a senior leader within the branch, you will shape legal outcomes of strategic importance, strengthen client partnerships and foster a culture of excellence, collaboration and innovation.
In this role, you will provide professional leadership, management and mentoring to a team of legal practitioners, ensuring the delivery of exceptional legal services while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement. You will manage complex litigation matters from inception through to resolution, provide expert and authoritative legal advice on highly sensitive and high-profile matters, oversee legal research and analysis, and prepare Counsel briefs and litigation strategies.
Beyond your technical expertise, you will contribute to the strategic direction and ongoing development of the Branch, including supporting client engagement initiatives, reviewing precedents and practice resources, and driving continuous improvement opportunities. Building and maintaining strong relationships with government clients, legal practitioners and key stakeholders will be central to your success, as will promoting the wellbeing, development and performance of your team.
This position offers a unique opportunity to undertake meaningful and challenging legal work while contributing to the delivery of services th at support the Victorian Government and the broader community.
About the successful applicants
You are a senior legal practitioner with significant experience leading and managing complex civil litigation matters, with demonstrated expertise in state care, historical institutional abuse and personal injury claims. Additional experience in criminal law, inquiries and/or large scale litigation will be highly regarded.
You have a proven ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing legal teams in a dynamic and complex environment, supported by strong strategic thinking, business acumen and operational management skills. You are an influential and collaborative leader who can balance competing priorities while maintaining a strong focus on client outcomes and service excellence.
Your exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills enable you to build trust and credibility with clients, counsel, colleagues and external stakeholders. You bring a comprehensive understanding of government structures, policies and decision-making processes, together with the tact, discretion and judgement required to navigate complex and sensitive matters within the public sector environment.
As a professional leader, you will contribute to the strategic direction of both the Branch and the VGSO more broadly. You will also bring highly developed communication and advisory skills, the ability to provide authoritative advice on complex legal issues, and a commitment to developing people, fostering wellbeing and driving continuous improvement.
To be successful in this role, you must be admitted to practice as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Victoria and hold, or be eligible to hold, a current unrestricted practising certificate.
Please note: Previous experience handling civil litigation and personal injury matters is essential.
Appointments are typically made at the base of the grade; however, remuneration may be negotiated commensurate with skills and experience.
Benefits
VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.
VGSO embraces flexibility and recognises the importance of work-life balance. We offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, allowing employees to spend half of their time working remotely and the other half in the office. This setup encourages collaboration and strengthens team connections, while supporting your ability to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
How to apply
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now!
Click 'Apply Now' to start your application. Applications must include:
Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant skills/experience and suitability to the role in their cover letter.
To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Kate Miller, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, on 0408 353 909 or email [email protected]
Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.