Director of Pro Bono and Responsible Business
Job No:
CBP324
Location:
Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne
Founded over a century ago, Colin Biggers & Paisley continues to realise our vision of being recognised as the leading provider of legal services in our chosen fields of expertise. Today our practice has over 450 staff, offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and a track record of high engagement and collaborative leadership.
Position Summary
The core focus of this role is to lead, oversee and coordinate the firm’s pro bono and community programs and initiatives (via the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation), and contribute to the firm's thinking and response in the wider area of Responsible Business. Reporting directly to the Managing Partner, this role focuses on developing and driving the implementation of the firm’s 2020 Responsible Business strategy, as well as promoting and strengthening the firm’s commitment to the community and the engagement of our people. The role is available in either Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.
Core Responsibilities
The core responsibilities for this senior role include:
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Providing overall leadership, management, coordination and strategic vision for the national Responsible Business Group (including the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation).
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Supervision of, as well as guidance and support for, the Responsible Business Manager, the Responsible Business Administrator, Foundation Ambassadors and the Foundation's Advisory Group. Support the development of staff through coaching and mentoring.
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Overseeing the development and implementation of the pro bono & community strategy and other related initiatives/projects.
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Engagement of partners and staff for active involvement and pride in community and pro bono programs and initiatives
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Developing and maintaining strategic pro bono and community partner relationships.
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Coordinate, encourage and promote participation in the firm's Workplace Giving Project and all major fundraising initiatives.
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Increase awareness, profile and reputation of the pro bono and community organisations supported by the firm/Foundation.
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Manage, coordinate and host events for staff and community organisations supported by the firm, in particular, major partnerships (Arts Law Centre / Artists in the Black) and local priority partnerships (Women's Legal Services in each State).
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Facilitate opportunities to work with commercial clients on joint pro bono projects, professional volunteering and thought-leadership events such as the firm's annual Indigenous art exhibition.
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Engage with clients and expand networks in shared charitable and community causes.
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Encouragement and promotion of participation in the volunteering components of the Foundation's program, including as key contact for the firm's community partners.
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Coordination and monitoring all pro bono, volunteering and charitable activities in collaboration with local partners and staff in each office, including liaising with key personnel in establishing the scope of work for pro bono matters, sourcing and training legal staff for pro bono clinics, ensuring that proper assistance, supervision and resources are available to the lawyers working on these projects.
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Monitoring the Foundation's annual budget, hours and costs and intervening where necessary to provide assistance or seek to limit or accommodate cost needs.
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Reporting to the firm's Managing Partner (and the partnership at large) on a regular basis on the overall status of the Foundation's program.
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Align with and support wider firm initiatives including Inclusion & Diversity, Environment & Sustainability and recruitment initiatives.
Key Relationships
The key relationships for this role include:
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Managing Partner.
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Responsible Business Manager and Responsible Business Administrator.
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Foundation Ambassadors and Foundation Advisory Group.
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Pro bono and community partners/organisations.
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Partners and staff.
Key Skills
The key skills required for this role include:
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Legally qualified with at least 7 years of legal experience.
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Strong passion and/or experience in access to justice / advocacy / community outreach.
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Excellent organisational and project management skills.
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Excellent written and oral communication.
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Well-developed stakeholder relations skills and ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
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Strong program development, oversight experience and time management skills.
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Ability to manage staff and focus on driving collaboration and operational effectiveness.
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Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to listen effectively.
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Strong self-motivation and flexibility. Confident, decisive and enthusiastic.
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Positive attitude and ability to contribute to the work of a team.
At Colin Biggers & Paisley, our workplace culture focuses on excellence without losing sight of work/life balance.
We established the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation which brings together our entire community offering, underpinned by a central strategy of promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in Australia and abroad through pro bono legal services, volunteering and charitable contributions.
We offer an environment where our values of Balance, Respect, Loyalty and Integrity guide all of our actions. We continually invest in our people, providing training, learning and support, a formal mentoring program and promoting a social and connected environment. We also offer other benefits such as social and sporting functions, rewards and recognition, casual Fridays, massages and professional memberships.