The opportunity we have available

Organised within the Chief Operating Officer Group within the department, Information Technology & Data Division's (ITDD) purpose is to connect people, data, and technology, empowering the department to excel.

ITDD is responsible for the consolidated provision and support of stable and secure IT Systems, applications and services to all department users across all States and Territories, including Indian Ocean Territories and Norfolk Island, as well as supporting seven Ministerial offices, and coordination with portfolio entities.

ITDD provides the digital collaboration and communications tools necessary to connect a geographically dispersed workforce and to optimise hybrid working arrangements. We manage industry and public facing digital systems, deliver desktop services, oversee cyber security, and provide data, AI, and information management advice to over 2,400 staff, supporting over 30 office locations across Australia.

The key duties of the position include:

What will you do?

As the EL1 - Assistant Director, AI, Governance & Digital Risk, you will contribute to the responsible and ethical adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the department.

This position encompasses a wide range of responsibilities; however, the core duties generally include:

• Establish and maintain end-to-end AI governance across the full system lifecycle (design through to retirement), including procurement, change and operations.
• Apply strong technical literacy in AI (machine learning, generative AI, automation, decision support) to define governance requirements, controls and evidence expectations for risk and assurance.
• Embed AI assurance checkpoints into IT delivery and operational workflows, including standard templates, approval steps and operational handover requirements.
• Run AI risk and assurance processes grounded in understanding data flows, model behaviour, system dependencies and the control environment, with clear roles and review cadence.
• Coordinate and quality-check AI impact assessments and privacy, security and legal reviews by working closely with technical specialists and architects and ensuring evidence is captured.
• Define and consistently apply guidance on how design choices (training data, model updates, human-in-the-loop, vendor architecture) affect risk, assurance and accountability.
• Align AI systems with cyber security, data governance and ICT architecture teams to meet Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), Information Security Manual (ISM) and internal security/architecture standards.
• Establish assurance processes for AI procurement and third-party/cloud AI services, including due diligence checklists and review pathways, plus escalation and incident processes.

Inherent requirements for the role

The inherent requirements for this role include:

• The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS/Executive level 1 Work level standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead governance, policy, risk and secretariat functions with sound judgement, accountability and a clear understanding of APS decision-making requirements, preferably in an ICT environment.
• Demonstrated ability to apply digital, data, technology or artificial intelligence policy and governance expertise to support practical outcomes in a public sector or comparable operating environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate and influential agendas, minutes, briefs and papers for senior executives and governance forums.
• Ability to undertake objective analysis of complex or emerging issues, identify risks and interdependencies, and provide evidence-based advice to support timely and defensible decision making.
• Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to build productive relationships, negotiate priorities and work collaboratively across organisational, functional and technical boundaries.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with limited direction, establish clear plans and timeframes, monitor progress and deliver high quality outcomes in a changing operating environment.

Desirable requirements

• Experience supporting governance, risk, assurance or compliance activities in a digital, data, ICT or technology-enabled environment.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence, automation, data governance, cyber security or digital assurance concepts.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an EL1 you will be expected to:

• Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
• Champion cultural capability within teams and challenges culturally unsafe practices.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department's preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1). You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for and how to apply, please refer to the position description available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

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. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification please contact the advertising agency.