Associate Director, Regulatory Policy and Legislative Reform

Attorney-General's Department; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

The Associate Director, Regulatory Policy and Legislative Reform unit is based in South Australia and reports to the Assistant Commissioner, Reform and Specialty Compliance. The role leads two specialist functions to shape regulatory policy, policy advice and major legislative reform priorities.

Key duties include setting strategic direction, coordinating reform, and engaging with government, ministers and stakeholders to deliver practical, defensible policy outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in regulatory policy formation and legislative reform.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory policy and advice across CBS's remit.
• Lead development and implementation of legislative reform priorities.
• Provide high-level policy guidance to executive and Ministerial decision-making.
• Coordinate cross-agency collaboration to deliver reform outcomes.
• Develop relationships with government, stakeholder groups and external partners.

Job description

Associate Director, Regulatory Policy and Legislative Reform

Classification: SM1
Salary Range: $144,421 + Superannuation
Duration: Ongoing
Vacancy Type: Full Time
Number of Positions Available: 1
Closing Date: 11:30pm, Tuesday 3 November 2026

About the Opportunity

As Associate Director, Regulatory Policy and Legislative Reform, you will lead and set strategic direction across two specialist functions, shaping regulatory policy, strengthening decision-making and driving legislative change:

Regulatory Policy and Advice: Lead the provision of regulatory policy and advice, including high-level correspondence, briefings, sensitive enquiries and Ministerial support.

Legislative Reform: Lead the development, coordination and implementation of agreed legislative reform priorities, working across CBS’s regulatory remit.

Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner, Licensing, Regulatory Policy and Legislative Reform, you will work closely with the Commissioner and all CBS Executive, providing advice on complex policy, legislative and regulatory matters, including emerging risks, reform priorities and issues requiring a coordinated response.

Key areas of focus will include:

Lead regulatory policy and strategic advice:
Set the strategic direction for regulatory policy and advice, ensuring timely, evidence-based, practical and defensible advice to support sound executive, Ministerial and parliamentary decision-making.

Drive legislative reform and modernisation:
Lead and coordinate significant legislative, policy and regulatory reform priorities, navigating competing demands, dependencies, resources and delivery risks to achieve practical and sustainable outcomes.

Turn intelligence into reform:
Draw on regulatory intelligence, operational evidence, stakeholder insight and emerging trends to identify systemic issues, risks and opportunities and shape policy, reform, prevention and service improvement priorities.

Build influence across government and beyond:
Develop relationships across the Attorney-General's Department, Ministerial offices, central agencies, consumer, community and professional stakeholders, representing Consumer and Business Services, building alignment and progressing reform.

Set direction and build specialist capability:
You will lead through the Manager, Regulatory Policy and Advice and Manager, Legislative Reform, establishing clear priorities, governance and performance expectations while strengthening the capability, accountability and confidence of both specialist teams.

We are seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in regulatory policy, legislative reform, public administration or a comparable advisory environment.

You will thrive in this role if you bring the strategic judgement and political acumen to navigate complex regulatory issues, translate government policy and legislative priorities into effective outcomes and high-level advice that informs executive and Ministerial decision-making.

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.

Employment is dependent upon a National Police Certificate clearance that the AGD finds satisfactory. Successful applicants will be provided further information if an interview is requested. Forms are not to be lodged directly with SA Police (SAPOL) under any circumstances and any fees incurred by applicants in doing so will not be recoverable from the AGD.

Some out of hours work may be required.

Some interstate and intrastate travel may be required.

Additional Notes

For further information about this exciting opportunity that is not covered by this website please contact Jonathan Lambert, Assistant Commissioner – Reform and Specialty Compliance, CBS on [e-mail] .

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/ .