Director Enterprise Risk and Assurance

University of New England (AU); Armidale; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Salary sacrifice options

Relocation assistance

On campus parking

Flexible or hybrid work arrangements

Generous leave entitlements

Job summary

University of New England (AU) in Armidale is seeking a Director, Enterprise Risk and Assurance to lead the university’s risk management and assurance functions. You will embed contemporary frameworks, coordinate assurance activities, and provide clear reports to executive leadership and council.

The role requires postgraduate governance expertise, senior-level coordination across internal audit and compliance, and the ability to drive integrated assurance across a large organisation.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification with deep governance and risk experience.
• Proven ability to lead enterprise risk management and assurance in a large complex organisation.
• Strong experience embedding AS ISO 31000-aligned frameworks into planning and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead UNE's enterprise risk management function and strengthen policy governance and institutional assurance.
• Coordinate assurance planning, control assessment, compliance monitoring and oversight of internal audit and reviews.
• Provide Executive Team, Audit and Risk Committee and Council with a coherent view of UNE's assurance position.
• Coordinate conflicts of interest and gifts and benefits governance and reporting.

Skills

Governance

Risk management

Internal audit coordination

Policy governance

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Director, Enterprise Risk and Assurance

Governance & Assurance

• Fixed term 5 years, full-time
• Attractive executive salary package
• Salary sacrifice options available
• Generous leave entitlements including Christmas shutdown, parental, cultural, gender affirmation & domestic violence
• Armidale based role. Flexible or hybrid work arrangements considered.
• Relocation assistance available
• Free on campus parking
• On campus state of the art sporting and athletic facilities (Sport UNE)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support
• Diverse and supportive workplace with UNE Ally Network, Equity Committee, Queer Space

(Current Staff: In taking up this appointment, please be aware your current fixed-term or professional role will cease the day prior to you taking up this position)

About the role

We’re seeking a Director of Enterprise Risk and Assurance to lead UNE’s enterprise risk management function and strengthen the University’s integrated approach to policy governance and institutional assurance. Reporting to the Chief Governance Officer, you’ll embed practical, contemporary frameworks that support sound decision-making and coordinate assurance planning, control assessment, compliance monitoring and oversight of internal audit and review actions. By drawing together evidence from risk, compliance, self‑assurance and other review activities, you’ll provide the Executive Team, Audit and Risk Committee and Council with a clear and coherent view of UNE’s assurance position. The role also coordinates UNE’s institutional arrangements for conflicts of interest and gifts and benefits, including central frameworks, registers, monitoring and reporting, while preserving the responsibilities of individuals and authorised decisionmakers for particular matters.

About you

You are an accomplished governance professional with postgraduate qualifications and substantial experience spanning both enterprise risk management and institutional assurance in a large, complex organisation. You bring deep expertise in frameworks aligned with AS ISO 31000, and a demonstrated ability to embed risk thinking into planning and decision‑making at a senior level. Equally, you have a strong track record in coordinating integrated assurance activity — drawing together internal audit, control assessment, compliance monitoring, conflicts of interest, gifts and benefits, and public interest disclosures into a coherent view of organisational assurance. You communicate with clarity and confidence, preparing Council‑quality reporting that translates complex evidence into clear, balanced and defensible advice. You lead multidisciplinary teams with purpose, build trusted relationships across an organisation, and model the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct.

About the Department

The Governance and Assurance Portfolio supports effective governance, risk management, institutional assurance and regulatory accountability at UNE. It brings together the University’s governance and assurance functions, including Council and committee support, enterprise risk management, internal audit coordination, self‑assurance, regulatory compliance, policy governance and information management.

The Portfolio is led by the Chief Governance Officer, who also serves as University Secretary and Chief Audit Executive. The Portfolio works across UNE to establish clear frameworks, strengthen institutional capability and provide Council and senior management with reliable information about the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control.

Enquiries

To discuss this role please contact Suzanne Crew, Chief Governance Officer, phone: [phone], email: [e-mail]

• If you require any adjustments or support to fully participate—such as an alternative format for the application form—please contact your Talent Acquisition Consultant at [e-mail] or on 02 6773 3705.

• If you have a disability and would like a confidential conversation about working at UNE, you are welcome to contact our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team.

Please visit www.une.edu.au/jobs-at-unefor for further information about this position and other career opportunities at UNE.

Applicants must have appropriate Australian work rights for the duration of this position.

About Armidale

Armidale is an attractive and vibrant city that combines all the features of a bustling regional town centre with the tranquillity of rural living. It boasts gourmet restaurants and cafes, boutique shopping, quality schools and sporting facilities. Surrounded by mountain gorges, waterfalls and national parks, Armidale’s natural beauty and distinct seasons make it an ideal place to live and thrive. To find out more, visit https://www.visitarmidale.com.au/experience . Information about relocation assistance.

UNE: A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

At UNE, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our people and the unique perspectives they bring. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and empowered to contribute their best.

We warmly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals with lived experience of mental health or disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQIA+.

About Our Process

At UNE, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of this role and align with our values: Be Bold, Be Kind, Be Accountable, Be Connected. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre‑employment checks prior to commencing in this role, as indicated in the position description. This includes providing a National Police Check, Gender Based Violence Declaration and for some roles, a Working with Children Check prior to an offer of employment being made. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically excluded from applying for this position, unless a specific legal requirement applies. For more information, see UNE's Pre‑Employment Check Webpage.

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