Manager Data Analytics & AI

Port Macquarie Hastings Council; Port Macquarie; Hybrid; AUD 135,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Gym membership discount (Fitness Pass)

Relocation assistance

Annual salary review

Vehicle allowance

Salary packaging options

Job summary

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is seeking an experienced data, reporting and AI leader to establish and head its new Data Analytics & AI function. You will report to the CIO, join the Digital Technology leadership team, and shape the roadmap and staff composition.

You will design enterprise data governance, automate reporting and create an AI strategy with governance to enable fast yet safe innovation.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualifications in information technology, data science, business analytics, information management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, establishing and improving organisation-wide data governance, including data quality management, reporting standards, business definitions and information management practices.
• Experience developing and implementing reporting, analytics, digital or AI governance frameworks, multi-year roadmaps, business cases and investment proposals that connect organisational priorities to future capability and resourcing.
• Significant experience leading and developing teams, projects or organisational initiatives that delivered defined outcomes, continuous improvement and lasting change.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, including a proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language for non-technical audiences.
• Sound judgement about where to move fast and where to apply governance, particularly in relation to emerging AI capability.
• A current Class C Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Work with a business unit to unpick why two reports on the same subject give different answers, then standardise the definition so it does not happen again.
• Improve or automate a reporting process that currently relies on manual effort.
• Meet with managers across Council to understand their reporting pain points and turn those into prioritised work.
• Set direction and priorities for the team, and coach team members through delivery.
• Progress a section of the Data, Reporting & AI Roadmap, or prepare advice to the Executive on an investment decision.
• Review a proposed AI use case against Council's AI Policy and the governance framework you are building, and give a clear recommendation on whether and how it proceeds.
• Run a session with staff to build confidence in using data and AI tools responsibly.
• Keep across developments in data, analytics and AI, and assess what they mean for Council.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Communication

AI governance

Education

Degree in IT / data science / analytics

Job description

About The Opportunity

At PMHC every employee plays a part in ensuring we work together to achieve positive outcomes for our community. To help us achieve this we are seeking an experienced data, reporting and artificial intelligence leader to establish and lead Council's new Data Analytics & AI function. This is a newly created role, which means you get to design the function rather than inherit one. You will report directly to the Chief Information Officer, join the Digital Technology leadership team, and lead a small team of staff. What that team looks like will be determined by the roadmap you build. We have a clear executive appetite to use data better. What we do not yet have is a single trusted source of truth for organisational reporting. Today, reporting is largely manual and decentralised, with teams drawing on different systems and different definitions to answer the same question. Fixing that, and setting the direction for what comes next, is the substance of this job.

From Day One You Will Be Working On

• A rolling three to five year Data, Reporting & AI Roadmap that tells the Executive what capability Council needs, in what order, and what it will take to get there.
• An enterprise data governance framework covering data ownership, stewardship, quality standards and consistent business definitions.
• Lifting corporate, operational and statutory reporting from manual effort into trusted, automated and auditable reporting assets.
• Building, delivery, and ongoing management of reporting tools to support organisational decision making, performance and community outcomes.
• Developing Council's AI Strategy, and the practical governance that lets sensible ideas move quickly and stops the risky ones properly.
• Building data and AI literacy across a workforce with a very wide range of starting points.

The program is ambitious, additional resourcing will need to be earned through demonstrated outcomes rather than assumed, and a real part of the role is bringing cautious colleagues with you rather than leaving them behind. You will need to be as comfortable writing a business case for the Executive as you are sitting with a business unit to work out why their numbers do not match someone else's. If you want a role where you set the agenda, have direct access to the decision makers, and can point to a measurable change in how an organisation makes decisions, this is that role.

To Succeed In This Role You Will Have

• Degree level qualifications in information technology, data science, business analytics, information management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, establishing and improving organisation-wide data governance, including data quality management, reporting standards, business definitions and information management practices.
• Experience developing and implementing reporting, analytics, digital or AI governance frameworks, multi-year roadmaps, business cases and investment proposals that connect organisational priorities to future capability and resourcing.
• Significant experience leading and developing teams, projects or organisational initiatives that delivered defined outcomes, continuous improvement and lasting change.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, including a proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language for non-technical audiences.
• Sound judgement about where to move fast and where to apply governance, particularly in relation to emerging AI capability.
• A current Class C Driver's Licence.

On a Typical Day This Role Will

• Work with a business unit to unpick why two reports on the same subject give different answers, then standardise the definition so it does not happen again.
• Improve or automate a reporting process that currently relies on manual effort.
• Meet with managers across Council to understand their reporting pain points and turn those into prioritised work.
• Set direction and priorities for the team, and coach team members through delivery.
• Progress a section of the Data, Reporting & AI Roadmap, or prepare advice to the Executive on an investment decision.
• Review a proposed AI use case against Council's AI Policy and the governance framework you are building, and give a clear recommendation on whether and how it proceeds.
• Run a session with staff to build confidence in using data and AI tools responsibly.
• Keep across developments in data, analytics and AI, and assess what they mean for Council.

Remuneration

• Full time, Permanent 35 hours per week
• Starting salary in the range of $134,858 to $150,948 depending on skills and experience
• Plus superannuation of 12%
• This role also qualifies for vehicle allowance
• Relocation assistance on offer for candidates moving to the region
• Opportunity for performance-based increases available after meeting performance goals

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements - hybrid working and flexi-time
• Discounted gym membership through membership to Fitness Passport
• Candidates relocating to the region have access to The Welcome Experience
• Career development opportunities OR Opportunities for learning and development and internal career progression
• Annual salary increase as per the Local Government (State) Award 2026 plus annual salary review
• Long service leave after 5 years
• Generous employee assistance program
• Salary packaging options available through Salary Packaging Australia and Maxxia
• Recognition through our annual awards ceremony celebrating and rewarding staff achievements

About The Port Macquarie Hastings Region

The region is one of Australia's most enviable locations. We boast a stunning hinterland, kilometres of pristine beaches, national parks, playgrounds, sporting facilities, restaurants, galleries, theatres and a genuine community vibe. The Mid-North Coast is perfect for hiking, surfing, camping, fishing, exploration, sports, arts, theatre, food and wine.

Questions?

If you would like to know more about this opportunity or have any questions about the role, please contact Paul White on [phone] or [e-mail]

Applications Close: Sunday 30 August at 11.30pm

At Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

We believe that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the vibrant community we serve - where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to thrive.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, please contact us at [e-mail]. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Notes

Suitable candidates may be placed on an eligibility list for future identical positions for 6 months or a talent pool for similar positions for a period of 12 months.

Preferred applicants are required to complete pre-employment checks. This may include: Reference Checks; National Criminal Police Check; Medical Assessment (includes drug and alcohol testing); Qualification verification; Working with Children Check verification.

PMHC's recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting an application to avoid missing crucial updates and outcomes. Email communication notifications are used for but not limited to: application received, interview booking tools, confirmation of interview, request for references/more information, delay notifications, testing/assessments (aptitude/psychometric/industry specific) and application outcomes (unsuccessful before or after interview).

Please regularly check your 'junk mail' or ensure our email address [e-mail] and Pulse email [e-mail] is set to 'trustworthy'.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people.