Data Governance Lead — AI & Policy Strategy

Motion Recruitment; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Government Agency in Melbourne seeks an experienced Data Governance Lead (EL1 equivalent) to shape enterprise data strategy, establish governance frameworks, and lead data stewardship networks. You will drive ethical AI governance, data lifecycle controls, and executive-aligned policy translation.

Mandatory Australian citizenship with appropriate security clearance. You will work across divisions to ensure compliant data access, quality, and risk management in a regulated government

Qualifications

• Extensive experience establishing or maturing enterprise data governance frameworks within large, regulated, or government environments.
• Deep knowledge of AI governance, algorithmic transparency, automated decision-making, and ethical data use principles.
• Familiarity with public sector data legislation and standards (e.g., Privacy Act 1988, DATA Scheme / ONDC, APRA/Commonwealth risk frameworks, or CDMP principles).
• Proven stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence senior executives, business owners, and technical delivery teams.
• Background in data management concepts (data quality metrics, metadata, classification, and secure data access).
• Mandatory: Australian Citizenship (AGSVA Baseline or NV1 clearance held or checkable history required).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Governance Frameworks: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of enterprise data governance policies, standards, principles, and controls.
• AI & Emerging Technologies: Develop practical governance controls, ethical frameworks, and risk assessment templates for the use of data in AI, machine learning, and automated decision-making pipelines.
• Stewardship & Operating Model: Champion and uplift the agency's data literacy and stewardship network, managing Data Governance Councils and working across program and operational divisions.
• Executive Advisory & Policy Translation: Translate privacy legislation, data-sharing laws, and national standards into practical operating procedures; author executive briefs and board-level papers.
• Data Lifecycle & Quality Assurance: Define frameworks covering data access, classification, lifecycle management, critical data elements (CDEs), and data quality monitoring.

Skills

Data governance frameworks

AI governance

Stakeholder engagement

Data management concepts

Privacy/compliance knowledge

Job description

Federal Government Agency in Melbourne seeks an experienced Data Governance Lead (EL1 equivalent) to shape enterprise data strategy, establish governance frameworks, and lead data stewardship networks. You will drive ethical AI governance, data lifecycle controls, and executive-aligned policy translation.

Mandatory Australian citizenship with appropriate security clearance. You will work across divisions to ensure compliant data access, quality, and risk management in a regulated government