Associate Director, Investigations

Attorney-General's Department; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 138,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

The Attorney-General's Department invites applications for the role of Associate Director, Investigations in Adelaide, SA. This senior leadership position leads specialist enforcement functions, including Investigations and Tobacco and Vaping, coordinating across legislative schemes and regulatory environments to address complex harms and evolving risks.

You will advise on strategic enforcement decisions, oversee investigative planning, ensure evidentiary integrity and guide cross-jurisdictional

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in regulatory investigations and enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for investigations and enforcement across divisions, including Investigations and Tobacco and Vaping.
• Exercise delegated authority in investigative, protective and enforcement matters with balance of evidence, legality and public interest.
• Strengthen regulatory governance, investigative planning, evidence handling and liaison with external regulators and agencies.
• Lead the investigators teams to deliver high-impact enforcement outcomes.

Job description

Classification: SM2 Salary Range: $153,887 + Superannuation Duration: Ongoing Vacancy Type: Full Time Number of Positions Available: 1 Closing Date: 11:30pm, Tuesday 27 October 2026

About the Opportunity

Take the lead on how South Australia responds to complex regulatory non-compliance, systemic issues and emerging risks. As Associate Director, Investigations , you will lead the specialist enforcement functions, including Investigations and Tobacco and Vaping, integrating specialist capability across diverse legislative schemes, regulatory environments and risk profiles. This is a newly created strategic and influential senior leadership role, with a significant voice in how CBS responds to complex regulatory issues and emerging risks. Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement, you will work closely with the Commissioner and CBS Executive, providing strategic advice on matters involving significant regulatory risk, systemic harm, complex statutory interpretation, evidentiary issues, limited precedent and substantial legal, reputational or public interest implications.

• Set strategic direction for investigations and enforcement: Set priorities and direct specialist capability across Investigations and Tobacco and Vaping, responding to emerging harms, systemic issues and changing regulatory risks.
• Exercise statutory authority and lead consequential decisions: Exercise delegated authority across investigative, protective and enforcement matters, including prosecution-related decisions where evidence, legal requirements, proportionality and public interest must be balanced.
• Strengthen regulatory governance and professional practice: Set expectations for investigative planning, evidence management, statutory powers, enforcement decisions and brief preparation, with assurance over seized goods, evidentiary integrity and lawful, consistent practice.
• Influence complex and coordinated regulatory responses: Shape responses to issues crossing legislative, industry or jurisdictional boundaries, working with SAPOL, Crown Solicitor's Office, regulators and government agencies on intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated enforcement.

You will lead the Managing Investigators and Manager, Tobacco and Vaping, providing strategic direction and building capability across their specialist teams of Senior Investigators, Investigators and Compliance Inspectors.

We are seeking a senior leader with strong understanding and expertise in regulatory investigations and enforcement. Strategic leadership, executive advisory and complex regulatory problem-solving skills will be pivotal, as will be your credibility and influence across law enforcement, regulatory and government environments. You will thrive in this role if you have the judgement to navigate contested evidence, complex statutory interpretation with limited precedent and the confidence to exercise significant statutory authority and make consequential decisions.

About the Business

The Attorney-General's Department (AGD) is a key portfolio within the South Australian Government, employing more than 1,900 staff. AGD delivers high-level legal services and advice to Ministers and government agencies, provides specialist policy support, oversees regulation and compliance functions, and delivers essential services directly to the community. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is a division of the Attorney-General's Department and is responsible for protecting consumers, supporting and regulating businesses and recording significant life events for South Australians. CBS is customer focused and flexible in its activities, providing accessible information and services. For more information, visit the Attorney-General's Department and or Consumer and Business Services website.

Special Conditions for Employment

• Employment-related Screening Check required.
• Some out of hours work may be required.
• Some interstate and intrastate travel may be required.
• Must hold a current Australian issued driver’s licence (equivalent to minimum class C).
• Eligible to be appointed and exercise the powers and functions of an Authorised Officer or Inspector under relevant legislation.
• Will be authorised to issue Expiation Notices under relevant legislation.

Additional Notes

For more information please download the attached Job Application Pack and Job and Person Specifications.

Enquiries: Ben Broyd, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance, Advice and Early Resolution at [emailprotected].

The Attorney-General's Department values workplace diversity and is committed to providing a supportive, inclusive and respectful work environment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply. The South Australian public sector supports flexible ways of working including part-time working arrangements wherever reasonably possible. The sector is diverse and desires to increase in diversity and to create opportunities for more South Australians. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and supportive workplace. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application via the contact above or our website https://www.agd.sa.gov.au/.