Lead, Foreign Engagement Compliance

Deakin University; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site childcare

Gyms

Medical centres

Cafés

Accessible public transport

Convenient parking

Flexible working arrangements

Extended parental leave

Time-off purchase

Staff discounts on travel

Health and wellbeing services

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Deakin University in Melbourne is seeking a Lead, Foreign Engagement Compliance to be the University’s subject matter expert on foreign engagement obligations and related regulatory requirements. You will provide strategic leadership for the foreign engagement compliance framework, overseeing governance, due diligence and regulatory reporting across international collaborations and research partnerships.

Working with research, international, legal and governance teams, you will ensure activities

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent in a relevant field or demonstrated expertise.
• Experience leading programs or major initiatives within complex regulatory environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret legislation and inform strategic outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide trusted advice to large organisations.
• Experience developing governance, compliance and assurance frameworks in regulated sectors.
• Knowledge of foreign engagement, research security and related government policy requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the foreign engagement compliance framework in line with legislative, regulatory and government requirements.
• Provide expert advice on foreign engagement compliance and emerging regulatory obligations, translating legislation into practical policies and controls.
• Develop and enhance governance, compliance and assurance processes for international collaborations and regulatory reporting.
• Influence senior decision-making through strategic risk analysis and high-quality governance reporting.
• Foster a culture of compliance by building organisational capability and strengthening resilience.

Skills

Program leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder influence

Governance frameworks

Foreign engagement knowledge

Education

Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent

Job description

Our Assurance capability, consisting of Legal Services, Compliance, Contract Governance and Risk develops the University’s assurance frameworks and policies, and provides key expertise that underpins compliance and corporate governance and Deakin's commitment to high standards of integrity.

The Compliance and Contract Governance team ensures the organisation meets legal and regulatory obligations and manages a number of requirements including privacy, FOI, and declarations of interest. It also oversees contract governance to maintain transparency, mitigate risks, and uphold accountability in all contractual arrangements.

As Lead, Foreign Engagement Compliance, you will be Deakin’s subject matter expert on foreign engagement obligations and associated regulatory requirements. You will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the University's foreign engagement compliance framework, ensuring Deakin can confidently pursue international partnerships, collaborative research and global engagement opportunities while meeting government expectations and legislative obligations.

Working closely with stakeholders across research, international, legal, governance and operational functions, the role leads the development and implementation of an integrated, institution-wide approach to managing foreign engagement obligations and associated risks. The position ensures the University's activities align with legislative, regulatory and government requirements while supporting strategic research, international and partnership objectives.

As a Lead, Foreign Engagement Compliance, you will:

• Lead and continuously improve the University’s foreign engagement compliance framework, ensuring alignment with legislative, regulatory and government requirements while supporting strategic research and international objectives.
• Provide expert advice on foreign engagement compliance, foreign interference risks and emerging regulatory obligations, translating complex legislation into practical policies, frameworks and controls.
• Develop, implement and continuously enhance governance, compliance and assurance processes for international collaborations, research partnerships, due diligence and regulatory reporting.
• Influence senior decision-making through strategic risk analysis, high-quality advice, governance reporting and engagement with stakeholders across academic and professional portfolios.
• Foster a culture of compliance and risk awareness by building organisational capability, leading assurance and continuous improvement initiatives, and strengthening institutional resilience and reputation.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Postgraduate qualifications and significant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and demonstrated expertise.
• Proven experience leading programs, functions or major initiatives within complex regulatory, compliance, governance, risk or assurance environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legislation, policy requirements and emerging regulatory issues to inform strategic outcomes.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders, building strong relationships and providing trusted advice to support decision-making across large and complex organisations.
• Experience developing and implementing governance, compliance and assurance frameworks, ideally within higher education, research, government or other highly regulated sectors.
• Knowledge of foreign engagement, research security and related government policy requirements impacting the higher education and research sectors.

Benefits for working with us!

• Across our campuses in Geelong, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, you’ll find everything you need to thrive: on-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport, and convenient parking.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off.
• Wide range of staff discounts on travel and more.
• Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities, and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow - whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks:

In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process. A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence. A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.

Applications for this position close on Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 11:55pm.

Please note: Position to commence from January 2027.