Defence Security Strategy & Risk Director

Australian Compliance Institute; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Compliance Institute is seeking a senior leader to shape Defence security governance and DISP compliance across a large, national Defence-focused organisation. The role will drive maturity, risk management and assurance while ensuring security obligations stand up to scrutiny.

Based in Canberra with available travel to major centres, you will work across multiple stakeholders to enable Defence growth while moving beyond policy to practical governance and accountability.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience across Defence security, protective security, governance, risk or assurance.
• Understanding of DISP and the Defence security landscape.
• Ability to engage senior executives and challenge existing approaches.
• NV1 security clearance (NV2 preferred) and Australian citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for Defence security governance, risk and assurance.
• Lead DISP compliance and broader protective security obligations.
• Lift security maturity across the business; identify gaps and plans.
• Develop a strong assurance framework that validates security controls.
• Support Chief Security Officers and leaders to meet security responsibilities.
• Identify and escalate material security risks across Defence operations.
• Provide senior leadership with clear advice on risk, compliance, maturity and investment needs.
• Build relationships across Defence, industry and national security stakeholders.
• Position security as an enabler of Defence growth, not just a compliance function.

Skills

Defence security

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Disp compliance

Assurance

Education

Security/risk governance degree

Job description

Australian Compliance Institute is seeking a senior leader to shape Defence security governance and DISP compliance across a large, national Defence-focused organisation. The role will drive maturity, risk management and assurance while ensuring security obligations stand up to scrutiny.

Based in Canberra with available travel to major centres, you will work across multiple stakeholders to enable Defence growth while moving beyond policy to practical governance and accountability.