Senior Director, Freedom Of Information

Council Jobs; Canberra; On-site; AUD 155,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Health and Community Services Directorate in Canberra is seeking a Senior Director, Freedom of Information to lead a high-performing FOI team. The role manages FOI applications, information access requests, and legal advice coordination while ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.

Reporting to the Executive Branch Manager, you will provide strategic leadership, coach staff, and drive continuous improvement in FOI services for the ACT community.

Qualifications

• Experience leading FOI teams and information access programs.
• Ability to provide legal advice coordination for FOI matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for FOI applications and information access.
• Oversee the statutory Information Officer responsibilities and Open Access Information Scheme.
• Brief senior executives and ministers on complex FOI issues and policy implications.
• Collaborate with ACT Public Service and external stakeholders.

Skills

FOI leadership

Strategic leadership

Policy coordination

Open Access Information Scheme

Education

Law degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Classification: Senior Officer Grade A
Salary: $172,246 plus superannuation
Position No: 58837
Directorate: Health and Community Services
Advertised (Gazettal date): 27 October 2026
Contact Officer: Emma Best-Prothero on***************@act.gov.auor(02) 6207 3***

Details: Are you an experienced leader with a passion for transparency, accountability and delivering positive outcomes for the community? Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) is seeking a Senior Director, Freedom of Information to lead a high-performing team responsible for information access and Freedom of Information (FOI) functions.

Working in the FOI environment offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the issues that matter most to Canberrans. Through this work, you will help individuals access information that supports your understanding of personal experiences, community matters and issues of significant public interest, including public health, ministerial matters and public housing. Reporting to the Executive Branch Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for a multidisciplinary, customer-focused team responsible for FOI applications, information access requests, legal advice coordination and the Open Access Information Scheme. You will oversee complex and sensitive matters, undertake the statutory role of Information Officer for the Directorate, and make decisions on FOI applications in accordance with legislative requirements. You will provide authoritative advice on legislation, legal decisions and policy, while building strong collaborative relationships across the ACT Public Service, the ACT Ombudsman’s Office and external stakeholders. Your ability to exercise sound judgement, think strategically and communicate effectively will be essential in briefing senior executives and ministers on complex issues. This role also plays a critical part in shaping organisational capability through coaching, mentoring and succession planning. As a people leader, you will foster a positive and inclusive team culture, drive continuous improvement and ensure the delivery of high-quality services and outcomes for the ACT community.

This position includes direct supervision of staff.

Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) is an inclusive employer where all people are respected and valued for their contribution. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, People with Disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, mature age workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• A qualification in law or relevant experience is highly desirable.

Note: This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of up to 12 months with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.

A merit pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

Closes: 10 November 2026