Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Enabling Services Division

Geoscience Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Geoscience Australia seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead the Enabling Services Division, delivering enterprise-wide transformation, digital foundations and strong governance across the organisation. You will shape strategy, enable government objectives and ensure safe, effective operations.

The role requires collaboration with the CEO and executive team, leadership of a large workforce, and accountability for financial planning, risk management, and digital platforms.

Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation.
• Proven ability to drive modernisation of operating models and digital foundations.
• Strong strategic leadership with delivery focus.
• Knowledge of governance, risk, and public sector frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, professional and trusted advice to senior leaders and drive enabling services.
• Oversee the strategic direction and operational leadership of enabling services.
• Foster a high-performance culture with policy and framework implementation.
• Manage multi-year budgeting, financial governance and controls.

Skills

Enterprise-scale transformation

Digital transformation

Strategic leadership

Governance and risk

Job description

Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Enabling Services Division

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people.

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people.

The key duties of the position include:

The Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Enabling Services Division is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of all corporate and enabling services and is a member of the Geoscience Australia Executive, working in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer to support organisational success. The role provides advice to the Chief Executive Officer and senior executive that reflects an understanding of the organisation, analysis of a broad range of issues, stewardship of the whole of government agenda and considers emerging trends or opportunities to align operations with strategic priorities. The role will ensure the organisation has the enabling services, governance frameworks, digital foundations and organisational capability required to deliver Geoscience Australia’s Shaping our Future Strategy.

The Chief of Enabling Services Division has 5 direct reports, managing approximately 220 staff. The role has responsibility for the full range of enabling service functions: data and digital delivery; financial frameworks, reporting and management; human resources management; procurement, policy and advice; internal and external communications support, including digital design, publishing and geospatial and visualisation services; ministerial support; property management; governance, audit, risk and legal services; and the Chief Scientist function and capability.

This role is the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Chief Audit Executive (CAE) for the organisation. The CSO has responsibility for the oversight of organisational security arrangements, including security governance, information, personnel and physical security in accordance with Commonwealth security frameworks. The CRO is responsible for the framework and governance for managing risk and provides an advisory role to support the Chief Executive Officer in understanding Geoscience Australia’s capability to manage risk in line with its risk profile. The CAE provides independent, objective assurance and advice to the Chief Executive Officer and the Audit and Risk Committee on the effectiveness of organisational governance, risk management and internal control frameworks that supports accountability, integrity and continuous improvement in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

In this role you will:

• Provide strategic, professional and trusted advice to the Chief Executive Officer and senior leaders, working collaboratively to deliver effective and efficient enabling services that are responsive to organisational needs and that focus on continuous improvement, innovation and sustainability.
• Be accountable for the strategic direction and operational leadership of the services delivered to the organisation by building organisational capability and capacity to deliver government objectives and the Geoscience Australia Strategy.
• Oversee the ongoing development and implementation of a high-performance culture in the organisation through the implementation of key policies, frameworks and action plans.
• Manage strategic financial planning within a multi-year budgeting framework. Ensure financial governance, controls and assurance processes support organisational integrity, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Lead the integration of digital, data and enabling platforms for government, industry and communities. Provide strategic and operational oversight of artificial intelligence use, ensuring systems are implemented responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with governance, risk and regulatory requirements.
• Foster a safe, inclusive and highly capable workforce, ensuring psychosocial risks are identified, managed and addressed in line with work health and safety obligations and organisational wellbeing frameworks.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise-wide transformation initiatives that modernise Geoscience Australia's operating model, digital foundations and organisational capability, ensuring the organisation can sustainably deliver its strategic priorities in a dynamic and fiscally constrained environment.
• Be a collaborative team player and have the ability to quickly develop a comprehensive understanding of organisational business requirements.
• Demonstrate strong communication and collaboration skills by confidently presenting clear, concise and articulate messages, and have a track record of working successfully with senior leaders as part of a senior leadership team.
• Demonstrate excellent judgement to manage complex and sensitive issues.
• Skilfully negotiate and influence across the organisation and government stakeholders.
• Promote and uphold workplace practices consistent with Australian Public Service Values and align business processes accordingly.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-scale transformation, organisational modernisation and complex organisational change, with a strong focus on innovation, contemporary service delivery and measurable business outcomes.
• Knowledge of best practice across a range of corporate responsibilities, including legal, financial, people and technology management.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into practical implementation, delivering measurable organisational outcomes through disciplined execution and strong operational leadership.
• Experience and understanding of Government decision making processes, relevant legislative frameworks and governance arrangements including the provision of shared services.
• Strong communication and consultation skills to engage on complex issues at senior levels, including persuading and influencing outcomes to bring about change and encourage best practice and compliance.
• Proven ability to consistently achieve results and provide advice and strategic support on issues and solutions based on analytical, interpretive, evaluative and innovative thinking.
• Relevant qualifications in legal services or digital transformation are highly desirable.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Maree Wilson by email ************@ga.gov.au to arrange a call. Alternatively, for a confidential conversation about the role, or to apply, please contact Lisa Phelps, at (02) 6126 4*** or **********@beaumontandbeaumont.com.au . The closing date for applications is 11:30PM AEDT, Tuesday 20 October 2026.

Eligibility

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of NV2.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Use of AI in recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role.

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

Are you unsure about applying?

Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

Notes

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment and Delivery team on (02) 6249 9*** or email ***********@ga.gov.au.

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.

Getting to know the Geoscience Australia

Geoscience Australia is an Australian Government listed entity within the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio.Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national-scale Earth observation infrastructure and our strong partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation.We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.We are committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offer a flexible and diverse workplace.

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