Lead Data Manager (Data Assurance)

Axiom Data Pty Ltd.; Australia; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Services Australia is seeking a Lead Data Manager (EL1) for its Data Assurance team, working hybrid from a capital city in QLD, ACT, VIC, SA or TAS, or Cairns or Robina. The role guides data governance, assurance of data and AI initiatives, and supports ethical data use.

You will coach the team, prepare briefs for senior leaders, and help modernise tools for transparent, accountable and explainable AI, while applying the agency's data governance framework.

Job description

Australian citizens only Baseline clearance Hybrid, from the capital city of Queensland, the ACT, Victor Closes 12 Nov 2026

Eligibility - please read before applying

This role is open to Australian citizens only. Applicants must also hold a current and ACTIVE Baseline Australian Government security clearance. An ability to obtain a clearance is NOT sufficient for this role.

This is an Australian Federal Government engagement based in Australia. Applications from candidates who are not Australian citizens, or who do not meet the security clearance requirement above, cannot be considered - regardless of technical experience. We are unable to sponsor visas, and this role cannot be performed remotely or from offshore.

About the Role

Services Australia is seeking a minimum of one Lead Data Manager (EL1 equivalent) for its Data Assurance section, working hybrid from a capital city in QLD, ACT, VIC, SA or TAS, or Cairns or Robina. As a data assurance lead and data management and data ethics champion, working under limited direction of the Director, the role assesses AI and other complex data initiatives to ensure data is managed appropriately across its lifecycle and used ethically, applying the agency's data trust and ethics and data management processes and tools in line with its Data Governance Framework. It advises on enhancing assurance tools and processes for emerging AI (transparent, accountable and explainable AI), coaches and develops the team, conducts reviews, and prepares recommendations and briefs for senior leaders and committees.

Data ethics and data management: apply risk-based governance frameworks and data ethics to assurance of data and AI-enabled initiatives; develop data assurance and AI processes and practices; assess data initiatives for data management, trust and ethics risks and give clear, impartial recommendations in line with the agency's Data Governance Framework and data trust and ethics principles; advise on the ethical, trust and data management implications of new technologies, emerging AI use cases and changing work practices; help modernise assurance tools for transparent, accountable and explainable AI; develop, implement and maintain data management documentation and embed best practice. Communication and stakeholder engagement: prepare high-quality briefs, recommendations, formal communications and presentations for senior leaders, committees and stakeholders, often at short notice; explain complex data governance, ethics and assurance concepts clearly; build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. Planning and judgement: research initiatives, assess risks and recommend practical action; plan and manage work for self and team; coach, mentor and succession-plan; champion data management and a culture of valuing data as an asset; apply expert skills in data quality, cleansing and validation and in data and analytics tools; exercise delegations; work in agile multi-disciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Data assurance lead: assess AI and other complex data initiatives for data management, trust and ethics risks; give impartial recommendations aligned to the agency's Data Governance Framework and data trust and ethics principles.
• Expert data governance: formulate and advise on data governance policies and frameworks covering data access, security, privacy and ethics; track legislative change; thought leadership.
• Responsible AI: develop data assurance and AI processes; help modernise tools for transparent, accountable and explainable AI; advise on emerging AI use cases.
• Expert data management fundamentals: data access, classification and coding, collection and collection methodology, metadata, data quality, integrity, use and re-use (incl. data sharing legislation).
• Hands-on data skills: expert data quality, cleansing and validation; expert use of data and analytics tools; able to write custom scripts and code to collect data.
• Prepare briefs and recommendations for senior leaders and committees, often at short notice; communicate complex concepts clearly.
• Lead and coach the team: plan work, mentor, succession-plan, champion data as an asset.
• Can mitigate issues arising from different access approaches. Can make and justify recommendations for data access. Can provide actionable strategic advice on data access.
• Is an expert resource for implementing and shaping the organisation's strategic use of data and information management good practice, and can advise others. This includes requirements relating to data access, data security, privacy and ethics. Represents a point of contact for data and information management leads in other organisations.
• Is an expert resource on data classifications and coding protocols and advises others. Can employ conceptual frameworks in support of data classification and coding.
• Is an expert resource in all aspects of data collection, including why data is collected and the roles associated with collection. Can make justifiable decisions about how data is collected. Can write custom scripts and code (programming language) to collect data.
• Is an expert resource on data collection methodology. Can make justifiable recommendations to address data collection issues. Maintains understanding of new trends and innovations relating to data collection methodology (including Artificial Intelligence-based technologies) and develops own capabilities in these where relevant.
• Is an expert resource in data governance and can formulate and advise on data governance policies and contribute to the structure of organisational data governance frameworks (includes data access, data security, privacy and ethics). Represents a point of contact for data governance leads in other organisations.
• Is an expert resource in the use of measures for data quality assurance, the interaction of those measures, and their application in conjunction with one another. Can advise others on the use of data quality measures to make accurate assessments of data fitness-for-purpose (including trustworthiness and accuracy). Is an expert resource on ensuring data integrity across its lifecycle, and advises others.
• Has expert knowledge about the production of a data output, product or service. Provides expertise in developing new products or data services to meet evolving requirements, needs and opportunities. Can build the capability of others in the delivery of data outputs, products or services.
• Understands and can articulate the value of data in terms of use and re-use. Implements a variety of techniques to ensure data is open and can be used beyond the specific purpose for which it was collected, in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational guidelines (includes data sharing legislation).
• Can use various summary options to effectively describe data, and explain and justify those choices. Follows organisational standards and procedures relating to metadata creation, storage and use. Can access metadata and use the descriptors to better understand existing data and effectively use it.
• Has extensive knowledge of the organisation's data assets, including a comprehensive understanding of how their fitness for purpose translates to value for the organisation. Promotes opportunities for using data to support decision making, advice and research. Considers the broader environment and context when drawing or interpreting insights from data. Uses these insights to make informed, evidence-based decisions and recommendations, and act accordingly.

Citizenship Australian citizens only

Security Clearance Baseline - must hold an ACTIVE clearance at time of application

Contract Minimum of one position. Estimated start Monday 4 January 2027. Initial contract up to 12 months; extension term 'Other' - up to a maximum of 24 months. Lead - EL1 equivalent. A maximum of three candidates per seller.

Location Hybrid, from the capital city of Queensland, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania (Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide or Hobart), including Cairns and Robina. Onsite for the first six weeks, then a hybrid flexible arrangement may be considered if the worker's residing address is within reasonable travel time and distance of the office, unless otherwise negotiated. Maximum hours published as 50 per week.

Max Candidates 3 per seller

This opportunity is sourced through the Australian Government's BuyICT panel for ICT Labour Hire services.