EL2 Senior Director - SADA

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

Job summary

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is recruiting for an EL2 Senior Director to lead Systems Assurance and Data Analytics (SADA). You will provide strategic direction for system assurance, AI, cyber and data audits, developing capabilities and managing high-impact engagements.

You will oversee diverse work across agencies, lead audit teams, and drive innovation and governance in digital auditing disciplines. Flexible Canberra-based arrangement supports office and home work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior leadership in auditing or data analytics, preferably system, cyber or data assurance.
• Ability to influence organisational direction on emerging risks.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead audit teams across multiple entities delivering complex systems, cyber, AI and data assurance audits.
• Provide advice on emerging technology risks.
• Oversee capability and quality uplift across digital auditing disciplines.
• Manage senior stakeholder relationships and governance responsibilities.
• Drive innovation, resource planning and quality outcomes.

Skills

Senior leadership

Auditing

Data analytics

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

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

Job description

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 EL2 Senior Director, you will provide leadership, oversight and strategic direction for SADA’s system assurance, AI, cyber and data audits. You will drive capability development and manage high-risk, high-impact engagements.

You will experience, lead and shape 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.

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

• Lead audit teams across multiple entities delivering complex systems, cyber, AI and data assurance audits.
• Provide advice on emerging technology risks.
• Oversee capability and quality uplift across digital auditing disciplines.
• Manage senior stakeholder relationships and governance responsibilities.
• Drive innovation, resource planning and quality outcomes.

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:

• Demonstrated senior leadership in auditing or data analytics, preferably system, cyber or data assurance.
• Ability to influence organisational direction on emerging risks.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

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.

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.

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 7717

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