Chief Operating Officer

Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (OIGIS) leads the Enterprise Management Unit, delivering finance, HR, security, IT and information governance.

Based in Canberra with hybrid arrangements, this senior role shapes corporate services during a period of growth and capability uplift to support the Inspector-General and Executive team in fulfilling statutory functions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in corporate services leadership, including HR, finance and/or security.
• Proven track record delivering organisational growth and complex change initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership with a history of building high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and senior-level influence.
• Excellent communication and trusted advisory capabilities.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability per APS values.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Enterprise Management Unit to support agency priorities and growth.
• Oversee corporate functions including finance, HR, security, IT, information governance and BI.
• Lead capability uplift and workforce growth initiatives.
• Drive enterprise-wide change programs including workforce, security and transformation.
• Build relationships with government, intelligence community and external partners.
• Strengthen governance, risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Provide trusted advice to the Inspector-General and Executive team.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Integrity

Education

Business/Public Administration/Management degree

Job description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the Executive team at the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (OIGIS), responsible for leading the Enterprise Management Unit (EMU), which delivers Finance, Human Resources, Security, Information Technology and Information Governance functions.

Following the expansion of OIGIS' oversight jurisdiction in 2026, the agency is undertaking significant organisational growth and capability uplift. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced senior leader to shape and strengthen corporate services, drive strategic and operational outcomes, and support the Inspector-General and Executive team in delivering OIGIS' critical statutory functions.

Based in Canberra, the role offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, with the majority of work undertaken from the office.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Enterprise Management Unit, ensuring corporate services effectively support agency priorities and growth.
• Oversee the delivery of corporate functions including finance, human resources, security, information technology, information governance and business intelligence.
• Lead organisational capability uplift and workforce growth initiatives, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Drive enterprise-wide change initiatives, including strategic workforce, security and corporate transformation programs.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders across government, the intelligence community, parliamentary committees and external partners.
• Strengthen governance, risk management and compliance frameworks to support effective and accountable operations.
• Provide trusted advice to the Inspector-General, Deputy Inspector-General and Executive team on strategic and operational matters.

About You

You are a highly capable and influential senior leader with a proven ability to deliver outcomes in complex and evolving environments. You bring strong strategic thinking, sound judgement and a commitment to continuous improvement.

To be successful, you will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in corporate services leadership, including expertise in human resources, finance and/or security.
• A strong track record leading organisational growth, capability development and complex change initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with experience building and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at senior levels.
• Excellent communication skills and experience providing trusted advice to executives and decision makers.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability, consistent with APS values.

Relevant qualifications in business, public administration, management or a related discipline will be highly regarded.