Strengthen people practices in a national organisation supporting children and young people
- Build fit-for-purpose people foundations as YLA continues to grow
- Partner with leadership in a values-led, mission-driven environment
- Combine strategic and hands-on work supporting staff and the Board
The organisation
Youth Law Australia (YLA) is the only national community legal centre dedicated to supporting children and young people, anywhere in Australia, with any legal problem. For more than 30 years, YLA has provided free, confidential legal assistance to young people experiencing harm, disadvantage or systemic barriers, using the law as a practical tool to improve lives.
Headquartered at UNSW with outreach offices at the University of Tasmania and University of Melbourne, YLA operates nationally with a geographically dispersed workforce and a strong volunteer base. The organisation is deeply purpose-driven and works within the realities of government funding cycles, with a strong focus on quality, care, and sustainability.
The opportunity
The People and Culture Director is a newly created role that reflects YLA’s growth. Working closely with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer and senior leaders, the role provides practical and strategic advice across workforce planning, culture, complex people matters, organisational risk and the employee lifecycle. The role also leads YLA’s organisation-wide learning and development approach, including management development, and supports Board development through the Executive Director.
This is a standalone People and Culture role with no direct reports, so you’ll need to be equally comfortable providing senior advice and managing the day-to-day work yourself. You’ll provide accessible, relationship-based support to staff and work closely with the COO, administration staff and external accountants across core people and culture activities including recruitment, onboarding, policies, performance support and day-to-day advice. The role also contributes to fit-for-purpose systems and shared ways of working across the organisation.
YLA is seeking someone with broad senior-level people and culture experience who is comfortable working independently, advising senior leaders and supporting managers in their people responsibilities. The role requires sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to navigate complexity thoughtfully, balancing the needs of individuals with the requirements of the organisation.
You’ll also bring sound knowledge of employment and HR-related obligations and be comfortable working across Federal, State and Territory requirements, liaising with internal and external legal advisors where needed.
Experience in values-led or for-purpose environments will be helpful, as will experience working in a standalone P&C role or in organisations where systems are evolving and growing. The successful candidate will bring a collaborative, grounded approach, and the confidence to offer practical advice that supports both people and the organisation.
Experience working in an environment that has implemented trauma-informed, culturally safe, child safe and/or victim-centred approaches would be desirable.
This role does not manage volunteers directly but leads the people frameworks and systems that support effective volunteer management, working in partnership with legal leaders who retain day-to-day responsibility for volunteers.
Please note that relevant child-related screening requirements for your jurisdiction, together with a National Police Check, will be required for the role.
This permanent, senior People and Culture opportunity offers flexible part-time hours (0.6–0.8 FTE), with the option to work remotely from anywhere in Australia or in a hybrid arrangement from YLA’s Sydney office. The working arrangements can be tailored to suit the right candidate, with benefits including paid parental leave, additional paid self-care leave and salary packaging.
To apply
People for Purpose is partnering with Youth Law Australia to lead the search for this role.
- To view the position description for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser https://shorturl.at/vE3Qd
- To review Youth Law Australia annual reports and financial statements, please visit their website https://yla.org.au/ and ACNC profile https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/fd65740c-2caf-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/profile
- Once you have absorbed this information and completed your own research, if you have specific questions, please call us on 0468 625 252 or email hello@peopleforpurpose.com.au
- Your application will include your CV, as well as a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align to this opportunity and why you are interested in joining Youth Law Australia.
A considered cover letter will be an important part of your application.
Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on Sunday, 15 November 2026.