Assistant Manager - Secretariat and Disclosure

Clean Energy Regulator; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 126,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

The Secretariat and Disclosure Section at Clean Energy Regulator is seeking an Assistant Manager to lead FOI, privacy, disclosure support, internal decision reviews, and formal complaints functions. You will ensure compliance with legislative, policy and governance standards while guiding a small team.

You will advise decision-makers, manage complex matters, and drive continuous improvements, fostering collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience working in FOI, Privacy and/or statutory secrecy frameworks is desirable.
• Act as a trusted focal point, translating legislative requirements into coherent, practical guidance for line areas and decision makers.
• Leading through change to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and apply problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small team responsible for delivering high-quality outcomes across Freedom of Information (FOI), privacy, disclosure support, internal decision reviews (IDR) and formal complaints functions, ensuring compliance with legislative, policy and governance requirements.
• Exercise sound judgement and delegated authority in the management of complex and sensitive matters, providing authoritative advice, recommendations and solutions that support informed decision-making and mitigate organisational risk.
• Build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with decision-makers, internal stakeholders and business areas, influencing outcomes and providing expert guidance to ensure compliance with legislative, policy and procedural obligations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the team’s functions, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, consistency and service delivery through the development of processes, operating procedures, tools, templates, reporting frameworks and record-keeping practices.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging trends, systemic issues, operational risks and workload pressures across the team’s functions, providing strategic advice and evidence-based recommendations to the Section Manager and senior executives.
• Build and sustain a high-performing team by providing leadership, coaching, performance management, mentoring and development opportunities, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning.
• Plan, prioritise and allocate work to ensure team objectives are achieved within competing deadlines, while effectively managing resources and maintaining quality standards.
• Represent the section in internal forums, working groups and stakeholder engagements, contributing to the development and implementation of broader agency initiatives and priorities.
• Support the delivery of broader section objectives and surge requirements, exercising flexibility and leadership during periods of competing priorities, organisational change or increased workload demand.

Skills

FOI

Privacy

Governance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advice

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Job description

Assistant Manager - Secretariat and Disclosure

• Canberra, ACT (The agency supports and promotes flexible working, including remote options on negotiation and where appropriate based on the specifics of the role)


• Ongoing/Non-Ongoing (The position is Ongoing, however Non-Ongoing employment may be offered for an initial engagement of up to 12 months)


• $125,863 - $143,171 + Superannuation

About the Branch

The Legal Services and Governance Branch supports the operations of the Clean Energy Regulator through the provision of in-house services:

• legal advice


• secretariat support for governance committees (including the Board)


• Freedom of Information, privacy and disclosure


• risk, and


• internal fraud.

We provide independent and objective risk and audit assurance and advisory services that seek to provide confidence in the ability of the agency’s people, processes, and systems to deliver on its objectives. This includes the development and maintenance of operational risk and governance frameworks, advice and assurance activities (including the annual internal audit work program), that support the agency’s approach to good governance and, risk management. We assist the Regulator Board and key agency governance committees to effectively function and contribute to the agency’s reputation as a trusted, relevant and expert institution through the management of a suite of conformance obligations.

Our overarching purpose is to ensure that the agency has the information it requires, when it requires it, to make robust decisions.

Key functions of the Branch include:

• drafting and/or clearing legal documents


• managing compliance with FOI, privacy and Ombudsman obligations


• coordinating the conduct of administrative, civil and criminal litigation


• coordinating the internal review and complaints management processes


• overseeing the agency governance framework, including managing all strategic and key accountable business committees


• delivering co-ordinated input into amendments to existing legislation, and


• ensuring effective regulatory reform.

About the Section

The Secretariat and Disclosure Section supports our decision makers by ensuring that they have the information they need to make good, transparent decisions and achieve the right outcomes as efficiently and effectively as they can.

We support the Regulator and the agency including through:

• ensuring compliance with obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1988 and Commonwealth Ombudsman schemes


• advising business areas on appropriate mechanisms for lawful disclosure of the Regulator's protected information


• managing processes for complaints handling and reviewing internal statutory decisions


• assisting the Regulator Board and key governance committees to effectively function, and


• publishing information on the structure and operation of the agency's governance framework.

The section’s role is evolving to meet the needs and resourcing requirements of the agency and its officers will be expected to exercise good judgement in everything they do – understanding that process, lateral vision (‘joining the dots’), and good judgement (including the active management of issues and support of decision makers) are all essential to ensuring the CER makes the best possible decisions.

Role Responsibilities and Duties

Under limited direction, the Executive Level 1 Assistant Manager:

• Lead and manage a small team responsible for delivering high-quality outcomes across Freedom of Information (FOI), privacy, disclosure support, internal decision reviews (IDR) and formal complaints functions, ensuring compliance with legislative, policy and governance requirements.


• Exercise sound judgement and delegated authority in the management of complex and sensitive matters, providing authoritative advice, recommendations and solutions that support informed decision-making and mitigate organisational risk.


• Build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with decision-makers, internal stakeholders and business areas, influencing outcomes and providing expert guidance to ensure compliance with legislative, policy and procedural obligations.


• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the team’s functions, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, consistency and service delivery through the development of processes, operating procedures, tools, templates, reporting frameworks and record-keeping practices.


• Monitor and evaluate emerging trends, systemic issues, operational risks and workload pressures across the team’s functions, providing strategic advice and evidence-based recommendations to the Section Manager and senior executives.


• Build and sustain a high-performing team by providing leadership, coaching, performance management, mentoring and development opportunities, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning.


• Plan, prioritise and allocate work to ensure team objectives are achieved within competing deadlines, while effectively managing resources and maintaining quality standards.


• Represent the section in internal forums, working groups and stakeholder engagements, contributing to the development and implementation of broader agency initiatives and priorities.


• Support the delivery of broader section objectives and surge requirements, exercising flexibility and leadership during periods of competing priorities, organisational change or increased workload demand.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Experience working in FOI, Privacy and/or statutory secrecy frameworks is desirable.


• Act as a trusted focal point, translating legislative requirements into coherent, practical guidance for line areas and decision makers.


• Leading through change to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and apply problem-solving skills.


• Models APS and CER values by fostering a collaborative, inclusive team culture.


• Tertiary qualifications are desirable.

Applications close 11.30pm on Sunday, 1 November 2026