Director AI Strategy, Policy and Engagement

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 210,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Defence seeks a Director AI Strategy, Policy and Engagement in Canberra to lead a high-performing team delivering Defence AI priorities and enterprise governance.

You will drive the AI strategy, policy frameworks, risk management, and engagement with government, industry, academia and international partners to realise capability and decision advantage.

Applicants must obtain Negative Vetting Level 2 security clearance and be prepared to lead across diverse domains.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership experience in large government or complex organisations.
• Experience developing and implementing high-impact AI initiatives, governance frameworks, and workforce capability programs.
• Exceptional problem solving, analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Influencing and negotiating across diverse stakeholder groups to achieve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of Defence's AI Strategy, aligning with government priorities and Defence objectives.
• Provide leadership for AI policy, governance and assurance, establishing frameworks, accountabilities and standards.
• Build Defence's AI workforce capability and communities of practice.
• Engage senior Defence leaders, government agencies, industry, academia and international partners to strengthen AI capability.
• Provide advice to senior executives on AI strategy, governance, risk, assurance, workforce capability and adoption.
• Translate government policy and regulatory requirements into practical frameworks and initiatives.
• Drive AI adoption through targeted engagement, strategic communications and change leadership.
• Identify and manage strategic AI risks while enabling innovation and capability delivery.
• Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team with a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public sector experience

AI governance

Change management

Communication skills

Job description

Director AI Strategy, Policy and Engagement

You will be an experienced professional who will lead a highly effective team to create and deliver Defence AI priorities and provide enterprise leadership to ensure AI capabilities are governed appropriately, risks are managed effectively and opportunities are realised at pace to enhance Defence capability, decision advantage and organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of Defence's AI Strategy, ensuring alignment with government priorities, Defence objectives and emerging technological opportunities.


• Provide leadership for Defence AI policy, governance and assurance, establishing the frameworks, accountabilities and standards needed for responsible adoption of AI.


• Build Defence's AI workforce capability and communities of practice.


• Lead engagement with senior Defence leaders, government agencies, industry, academia and international partners to strengthen AI capability, influence policy development and advance Defence priorities.


• Provide advice to senior executives on AI strategy, governance, risk, assurance, workforce capability and adoption, to support informed decision-making.


• Translate government policy, strategic direction and regulatory requirements into practical frameworks, guidance and initiatives that support Defence outcomes.


• Drive AI adoption through targeted engagement, strategic communications and change leadership.


• Identify and manage strategic risks associated with AI while enabling innovation, experimentation and capability delivery at pace.


• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

About our Team

This is an exciting time to join our team as we establish the settings for Defence’s adoption of AI.

The Directorate of AI Strategy, Policy and Engagement is at the centre of the realisation of the benefits AI can bring by:

• Establishing Defence's strategic direction for AI.


• Designing and building key policy controls and the AI governance ecosystem.


• Engaging across government, academia and international partners on the design, development, deployment and use of AI.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is an experienced and strategic leader with demonstrated experience in the following:

• Providing strategic direction within a large government or complex organisation.


• Developing and implementing high-impact initiatives, including AI strategies, governance frameworks, and workforce capability programs.


• Exceptional problem solving, analytical and critical thinking skills.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.


• Influencing and negotiating across diverse stakeholder groups to achieve outcomes.


• Leading and managing high-performing multidisciplinary teams through direction, coaching, and mentoring.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers