Data Governance & Technical Lead (Project Lead)

Curtin University; Canning; On-site; AUD 143,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing services

Retail and travel discounts

Job summary

Curtin University is seeking a Data Governance & Technical Lead to guide the secure research environment initiative. The role focuses on governance, compliance and accreditation, coordinating with faculties and technical services to deliver secure data infrastructure.

You will collaborate across government, defence, health and industry partners, ensuring alignment with national schemes and sector requirements while supporting university-wide impact and capability-building.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Strong planning and project leadership skills for complex initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of governed research access workflows and ethics processes.
• Experience in data engineering and data management with software development ability.
• Ability to collaborate across research, technical and business areas to deliver solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, coordination and delivery from initiation through implementation and transition to BAU.
• Lead development of institution-wide governance, compliance, operational, monitoring and accreditation frameworks.
• Develop data classification, access control and governance models aligned with accreditation requirements.
• Lead consultation with faculties, research centres and technical services to translate needs into governance and technical requirements.
• Partner with Indigenous governance units to embed data sovereignty requirements.
• Coordinate with government, defence, health and industry partners to design secure analytical environments.
• Manage project scope, risks, resources, timelines and stakeholder expectations.

Skills

Postgraduate qualification in relevant

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & accreditation

Data engineering knowledge

Education

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

Data Governance & Technical Lead (Project Lead)

$142,841 - $150,891 (G09) + 17% superannuation

Reference Number: 1661338

About the Role:

Curtin University is establishing a university-wide secure data research ecosystem to support national and international sensitive-data research collaborations. As the Data Governance & Technical Lead – Secure Research Environments (Project Lead), you will lead the governance, compliance and accreditation workstream supporting this major initiative. Working closely with the High Performance Computing (HPC) Lead, you will shape Curtin’s secure research environment and ensure it meets institutional, state, Commonwealth and sector accreditation requirements. You will manage project scope, governance, resources, risks and stakeholder expectations to deliver key milestones and outcomes. This is a high-profile opportunity to work across faculties and engage with stakeholders at all levels, bringing together diverse areas of expertise to deliver critical research infrastructure. You will help build Curtin’s capability in secure research and contribute to a project with significant university-wide impact, providing an excellent opportunity to broaden your experience and progress your career.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead project planning, coordination and delivery from initiation through implementation and transition to business-as-usual
• Lead the development of institution-wide governance, compliance, operational, monitoring and accreditation frameworks for Curtin’s secure research and analytics environment
• Develop data classification, access control and governance models aligned with National Data Scheme (DAT Act) accreditation requirements
• Lead consultation with faculties, research centres and technical services to identify secure-data research needs and translate these into governance, operational and technical requirements
• Partner with Curtin’s Indigenous research governance units to embed Aboriginal data sovereignty requirements within the secure research environment
• Coordinate with government, defence, health and industry partners to co-design bespoke secure analytical environments
• Manage project scope, risks, resources, timelines and stakeholder expectations to deliver agreed outcomes

Who we are looking for (selection criteria):

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline with extensive relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education/training
• High-level planning, project management and leadership skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and deliver outcomes
• High-level interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence and build productive relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
• Sound understanding of governed research access workflows, including ethics approval processes and data access committee operations
• Experience in data engineering and data management, with software development skills and the ability to work across technical and project delivery environments
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders across research, technical and business areas to understand requirements and develop effective solutions

Desirable:

• Knowledge of, and experience in, the tertiary education sector and/or defence, health or government sectors
• Experience applying Indigenous data governance principles, including the CARE Principles

Role Requirements:

• As this is a fixed-term contract, you willrequirecurrent work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role
• Successfulapplicantsare subject to a National PoliceClearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction
• This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo andmaintainan up-to-date Working with Children Check

School of Population Health

The School of Population Health is dedicated to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for communities both locally and globally. Bringing together expertise across public health, psychology and interdisciplinary health fields, the School is recognised for its collaborative culture, innovative teaching and impactful research. Home to a dynamic community of academics, researchers and industry-connected professionals, the School is committed to addressing some of today’s most significant health challenges - from mental health and emerging diseases to climate change, population growth and health equity. Through its strong focus on education, research and community engagement, the School continues to shape the next generation of health professionals and create meaningful impact across the health sector.

About Curtin University

Curtin University proudly stands among the top one percent of global universities according to the ARWU 2025rankings.We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life.First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For moreinformation,please visit ourDiversityandInclusionpage-https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-curtin/

What We Offer You:

This is a full time, 12 month fixed term contract position (possibility of extension), with a salary range between $142,841 - $150,891 (G09) per annum, plus 17% superannuation.

Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrantBentleycampus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre,bus station, accessibleparkingand endless foodoptions including a supermarket.Aside from the vibrant campus life, we offer more than just a job.Curtin offersa wide range of generousbenefits, includingadditionalleave, salarypackaging, health and wellbeing services and anarrayofdiscountsfor retail, travel and much more.

For morereasons to work atCurtin, please visit https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/