EL1 Director - SADA

Australian National Audit Office; South Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) seeks an EL1 Director in Canberra to lead IT, cyber and data assurance teams. You will shape audit methodology, oversee complex projects and coordinate with senior stakeholders to drive quality and impact across government agencies.

Join a high‑profile, analytical network in the ANAO’s Systems Assurance and Data Analytics (SADA) group, delivering innovative digital audits and strategic capability development in a dynamic public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in IT, cyber, financial, data, and/or technology auditing with senior executive
• Strong leadership, negotiation, project management and communication skills
• Ability to influence and provide authoritative technical advice
• Capability to evaluate risks across emerging technologies

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage audit teams across multiple entities to deliver IT, cyber and data assurance procedures
• Oversee delivery of systems assurance, cyber and AI-focused audit procedures
• Drive quality, review work and provide specialist advice
• Build relationships with senior executives and stakeholders
• Contribute to strategic planning, capability development and innovation in digital auditing

Skills

IT auditing

Cyber auditing

Data analytics

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in IT/cyber/data analytics/accounting/auditing

Job description

Australian National Audit Office – Barton ACT

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) purpose is to support accountability and transparency in the Australian Government sector through independent reporting to the Parliament and thereby contribute to improved public sector performance.

At the ANAO, you will make meaningful and valuable contributions to public sector administration through a full range of audit and assurance services.

The ANAO is located in Canberra and has approximately 450 employees. Our people come from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, many with commerce, accounting, finance or economics qualifications, but increasingly this has expanded to include public policy and administration, management, law, social sciences, and information technology.

The ANAO is a professional organisation of curious and critical thinkers, with strong analytical capabilities, underpinned by the values of integrity, respect and excellence. Our people are technical and analytical experts in their field and are driven to produce high quality outcomes. We have a unique opportunity to make a difference and support accountability and transparency and improved public sector performance.

Who we are

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) purpose is to support accountability and transparency in the Australian Government sector through independent reporting to the Parliament and thereby contribute to improved public sector performance.

At the ANAO, you will make meaningful and valuable contributions to public sector administration through a full range of audit and assurance services.

The ANAO is located in Canberra and has approximately 450 employees. Our people come from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, many with commerce, accounting, finance or economics qualifications, but increasingly this has expanded to include public policy and administration, management, law, social sciences, and information technology.

Systems Assurance and Data Analytics (SADA) Group provides IT audit and data analytics support to the ANAO's assurance, performance and performance statements audit work and other information reports.

The ANAO is a professional organisation of curious and critical thinkers, with strong analytical capabilities, underpinned by the values of integrity, respect and excellence. Our people are technical and analytical experts in their field and are driven to produce high quality outcomes. We have a unique opportunity to make a difference and support accountability and transparency and improved public sector performance.

The opportunity

As an EL1 Director you will manage audit teams delivering a variety of system, AI, cyber and data assurance, shaping audit methodology and contributing to quality assurance.

You will experience, contribute to and lead unique and diverse work of varying complexity in both large and small agencies. The broad experience, support and development opportunities available in SADA - including technical training, L&D courses and networking opportunities will directly support you to be effective and successful in this role.

The key duties of the position include:

SADA work is varied and unique, duties can include but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage audit teams across multiple entities to deliver IT, cyber and data assurance procedures.
• Oversee delivery of systems assurance, cyber and AI-focused audit procedures.
• Drive quality, review work and provide specialist advice.
• Build relationships with senior executives and stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategic planning, capability development and innovation in digital auditing.

Please note:

• This recruitment process is being used to fill both ongoing and non-ongoing positions. Non-ongoing positions will be offered on a specified term basis for an initial period of up to 12 months with the possibility of being extended.
• A merit pool will be created from this activity that may be used to fill similar vacancies for a period of 18 months from the date of advertising.
• All positions are based in Canberra, with flexible working arrangements where the employee works partly in the office and partly from home, as agreed with the manager.

Who we are looking for

We are committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports employees to reach their full potential.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Experience in IT, cyber, financial, data, and/or technology auditing with senior executive
• Strong leadership, negotiation, project management and communication skills.
• Ability to influence and provide authoritative technical advice.
• Capability to evaluate risks across emerging technologies.

Desirable qualifications

There are no mandatory qualifications for this role, however, the following are highly desirable:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in IT, cyber, data analytics, accounting, auditing or related fields.
• Demonstrated interest in auditing emerging technologies.
• Qualifications or demonstrated on-the-job experience in a discipline that requires analytical skills

Eligibility

Citizenship – To be eligible for employment with the ANAO, applicants must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance – The Australian community requires the highest level of integrity from ANAO employees. The preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Baseline Level. For more information about the AGSVA security clearance process, please refer to the AGSVA website.

Notes

Assessment process / Reasonable adjustment

As part of the assessment process, you may be asked to participate in one or more of the following assessment activities:

• Interview (in-person or virtual)
• Reference Check

If you believe you may require reasonable adjustments to participate in the assessment process, please ensure this is indicated on your application. A member of our recruitment team will contact you to discuss the adjustments prior to the assessment process.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

The ANAO supports candidates using artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to assist in the preparation of their application. To support a fair, transparent and merit-based assessment process, candidates are required to disclose any use of AI in preparing their application. This includes (but is not limited to) AI-based writing assistants, resume builders, or other generative AI tools.

All applications must remain an accurate and genuine representation of your skills, experience and capability, and you must be able to explain and substantiate your submission if required.

Candidates are expected to read and understand the APSC Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, which outline expectations for appropriate use of AI, including maintaining authenticity and avoiding misleading or unfair use. Failure to appropriately disclose AI use, or use of AI in a misleading way, may impact your assessment.

Contact

Name: Alex Mcelwee (Executive Officer – SADA)

Phone Number: 02 6203 7***

Email Address: ***************@anao.gov.au

Closing date

Applications close 11:30pm AEDT on Sunday, 15 November 2026.

Getting to know the Australian National Audit Office

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is a specialist public sector entity that provides a full range of audit services to the Australian Parliament, the Australian Government and public sector entities. The 'Auditor-General Act 1997' provides the legislative framework for the role of the Auditor-General and the ANAO.The purpose of the ANAO is to drive accountability and transparency in the Australian Government sector through quality evidence based audit services and independent reporting to Parliament, the Executive and the public, with the result of improving public sector performance.The Executive is accountable to Parliament for its use of public resources and the administration of legislation passed by the Parliament. The Auditor-General scrutinises and provides independent assurance as to whether the Executive is operating and answering for its performance in accordance with Parliament’s purpose.