Senior Executive Lawyer (SEL)

Salary plus 15.4% employer super contribution

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) ( CDPP ) is seeking an accomplished and values-driven Senior Executive Lawyer ( SEL ) (SES Band1) to provide strategic legal leadership in a complex and fast-paced Commonwealth environment. This is a senior role for a trusted adviser who combines deep legal expertise with sound judgement, strong people leadership and a genuine commitment to public service outcomes.

As a member of the executive leadership group, you will shape the CDPP’s legal direction, support high-quality decision‑making and ensure the CDPP operates confidently within its legislative and policy framework.

About the Role We are looking for highly skilled, forward‑thinking, energetic and experienced lawyers, capable of leading and managing a branch of lawyers and/or legal support staff to deliver strategic and operational outcomes. You will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of a branch, including leading people, managing performance and contributing to the strategic leadership and management of the CDPP.

You will undertake demanding and intellectually challenging work that requires strong leadership and sound legal judgement derived from practical litigation and/or senior legal policy experience. You will have extensive knowledge and experience in the application of criminal law and procedures, and as a senior lawyer you will, in addition, have a demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage teams of legal staff at all levels.

The CDPP comprises five legal practice groups that together deliver the Commonwealth’s national prosecution service. Four of these groups prosecute matters across Australia, each focused on distinct crime types and responsible for managing and conducting associated prosecutions.

The Legal Capability and Performance (LCP) group is a specialist legal practice group which plays a critical role in strengthening the quality and effectiveness of the CDPP’s legal work. It provides legal and specialist support to prosecutors, drives continuous improvement and innovation, and supports capability development across practice groups to enhance consistency, performance and outcomes.

The SEL role leads a branch and will be accountable for all aspects of branch performance, including operational outcomes, financial expenditure, and staff wellbeing. The SEL will provide leadership and strategic direction to a branch and will contribute to the broader strategic direction and management of the CDPP as a member of the CDPP Executive Leadership Group.

Role Functions:

Focus strategically on the CDPP’s core activities and role within the government context, driving outcomes and championing the CDPP’s broader priorities both within and outside the organisation;

Identify, establish and nurture relationships with key strategic stakeholders outside the CDPP, providing advice and insight to partner agencies which reflects the whole‑of‑government agenda but respects the independence of the Director and role of the prosecutor in the criminal justice system;

Consult broadly, drawing information from many external and internal sources and points of view to determine emerging threats, risks and opportunities to formulate and give impartial and forthright advice and to make difficult decisions;

Apply lateral thinking, strong decision‑making skills, and decisive action to best position the CDPP to anticipate and address risks, maximise opportunities and drive positive change and innovation;

Focus on the quality of legal services and the need for continuous improvement. Facilitate information accessibility and sharing, create a flexible environment, remove barriers and build high‑achieving, results oriented teams;

Set a high professional standard, exemplifying honesty and integrity, quality, compliance and accountability in the delivery of legal services;

Adhere to and promote the APS Values and Code of Conduct, displaying integrity, professionalism and encouraging these standards in others, addressing breaches of protocol and probity in an effective and timely manner;

Communicate effectively with staff and peers, providing direction, delivering clear messages and influencing outcomes; and

Build and maintain a healthy and safe working environment, identifying potential and actual risks to safety and wellbeing and taking appropriate mitigating actions.

We are looking for senior leaders who:

have extensive knowledge and experience in the application of criminal law and procedures;

is a senior lawyer with a demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage teams of legal staff at all levels;

has been admitted as a Legal Practitioner or Barrister or Solicitor of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory;

extensive experience in managing a litigation practice, preferably with criminal law experience and/or experience gained in a prosecution or legal policy context;

are Australian Citizens and can obtain a

Negative Vetting 2

security clearance.

Further information about these positions can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

If these roles interest you and want to know how your legal expertise aligns with CDPP, please reach out to one of the contact officers for a confidential discussion. CDPP is looking for diverse applicants from all sectors (federal or state government and commercial or private practice).

Your application must include a statement of no more than 1000 words outlining your background, skills and experience and how they relate to the requirements of the role. You will also need to submit a resume, maximum 4 pages in length, that outlines your career history, qualifications and achievements.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.

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