Senior Manager, Office of the Executive Director, Youth Justice Operations | Melbourne - Northern Metro

Job Description

• Join Youth Justice, working across youth justice custodial services
• Provide high-level coordination, strategic advice and support, and project management across youth justice custodial services.
• Contribute to youth justice service delivery outcomes.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department)'s Youth Justice Group is responsible for the statutory supervision of children and young people in the criminal justice system in Victoria. Youth Justice may work with young people in the community or in custodial services.

 The Senior Manager plays a key role in supporting the Executive Director to lead and manage youth justice custodial services, including management of office workflow, strategic advice on complex policy and operational issues and project oversight and coordination.

 The Senior Manager leads a small team responsible for supporting information requests, custodial reporting and assurance functions, in line with legislative and regulatory requirements. The role also supports effective collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders to drive outcomes.

The opportunity 

• Ongoing, full-time position, working across various youth justice custodial services sites
• VPS6 role: $138,631 - $185,518 per year plus super.
• Provide high quality, authoritative and strategic advice to, and on behalf of, the Executive Director on complex policy and operational issues, as well as corporate, budget, staffing, governance, and finance matters.
• Manage high level and complex projects for the Executive Director that meet Youth Justice and broader departmental objectives.
• Manage a small team responsible for supporting information requests, custodial reporting and assurance functions, in line with legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Identify emerging issues, risk and trends impacting service delivery outcomes and provide high quality advice and recommendation based on comprehensive research and investigation.
• Prepare complex briefings and reports for the Executive Director on priority issues.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Knowledge and/or experience working in a complex operational environment, like youth justice, will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated sound judgement, as well as an understanding of the department's structure, responsibilities, climate, and culture – including the issues and pressures to which the organisation must respond, is highly desirable.

You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.

What's in it for you?

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

• Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
• A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
• Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Generous leave entitlements– provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.

If you have any queries, please contact Sarah Devine on 0408 024 273 or sarah.devine@justice.vic.gov.au

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact Aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.au if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Tuesday 6^th January 2026.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

 The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

 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 get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.