Associate Director, Assurance

Australian Catholic University; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Catholic University invites applications for an Associate Director, Assurance to lead a coordinated, risk-based program across enterprise risk management, compliance monitoring and internal audit.

Reporting to the General Counsel, Assurance and Governance Officer, you will provide strategic advice, timely reporting to governance committees, and oversee regulatory readiness (including TEQSA) to support ACU's transparency and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Lead a coordinated, risk-based program of assurance activities across enterprise risk management, compliance monitoring, internal audit and internal review.
• Provide strategic advice and timely reporting to governance bodies.
• Oversee institutional quality and regulatory readiness (including TEQSA).
• Report to the Vice-Chancellor's Management Committee and Audit & Risk Committee as required.
• Build organisational capability and promote continuous improvement in self-assurance practices.

Job description

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a young and dynamic institution making a significant impact. Founded on the principles of Catholic social teaching, it aims to promote academic excellence, serve communities, and act as a catalyst for positive change. Ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide and in the top 10 Catholic universities, the university has seven campuses around Australia, a campus in Rome, Italy, and an online campus - ACU Online.

ACU's Vision 2033 presents a strategy which allows students and staff to respond to the needs of a changing world while working to enable flourishing lives, foster thriving communities and forge an ethical future.

Based in either Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane and reporting directly to the General Counsel and Chief Legal, Assurance and Governance Officer, the Associate Director, Assurance is responsible for strengthening ACU's assurance capability by leading a coordinated, risk-based program of assurance activities across enterprise risk management, compliance monitoring, internal audit and internal review; with oversight of institutional quality and regulatory readiness (including TEQSA).

The role provides strategic advice, timely reporting and independent insight to support transparency, accountability and informed decision-making, including through reporting to the Vice-Chancellor's Management Committee (VCMC), the Audit & Risk Committee (and other governance committees as required) and the monitoring and validation of remediation actions. The Associate Director builds organisational capability and maturity in self-assurance practices, supports consistent evidence and documentation standards, and promotes continuous improvement across the university.

We are seeking candidates with inclusive leadership skills and experience in a large, complex, and preferably regulated organisation. The successful candidate will be a highly collaborative and mission-led professional who will work with colleagues across other central service functions and the academic community to drive enterprise-wide transformation in Assurance and Risk.

close on 11 November 2026.

Learn more about Athena Swan