Senior Director Risk And Compliance

Torrens University Australia Employees, Location, Alumni; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study free in a course/degree related

B Corp certified university – values &

Internal opportunities - be supported

Competitive salary package

Hybrid and flexible working

Job summary

Torrens University Australia is seeking a Senior Director, Risk and Compliance to lead the enterprise-wide risk and compliance framework. Reporting to the General Counsel with a direct line to the Executive Team and Board committees, you will shape governance and regulatory alignment across Higher Education and VET operations.

This key role chairs the Management Risk Committee, drives risk transformation, builds a capable Risk and Compliance team, and oversees day-to-day operations while

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ senior leadership experience in highly regulated environments.
• Proven track record leading enterprise‑wide risk transformation.
• Deep expertise in risk management, compliance, governance and internal controls.
• Experience engaging with regulators and operating at Executive/Board level.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder influence and strategic problem-solving.
• Knowledge of Australian higher education regulation (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Risk Uplift Program.
• Compliance & Assurance.
• Governance & Controls.
• BAU Risk & Compliance Operations.
• Culture, Capability & Change.
• Stakeholder Engagement.

Skills

Leadership experience

Regulatory knowledge

Enterprise risk transformation

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic problem-solving

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Law, Risk, Governance, Business, Finance or related field

Job description

At Torrens University Australia, making a difference is in our DNA. As a Certified B Corporation, we belong to a global community of future-focused companies using business as a force for good. We believe in the transformative power of education to change lives, families, communities – and the world. That’s why we’re on a mission to increase access to higher education, so learners from all walks of life can chase their dreams.

Just like our students, our employees are a diverse group who want to make an impact. When you join us, we give you the freedom to be bold, creative and courageous – with flexible working arrangements that allow you to bring your best. We’ve built a culture that celebrates community, collaboration and innovation, where people love what they do.

What’s the job?

The Senior Director, Risk and Compliance is a senior leadership role within the Office of the General Counsel, responsible for leading the University’s enterprise-wide Risk and Compliance framework in line with sector best practice. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role also maintains a direct reporting relationship with the Executive Team, Risk Management Committee Audit and Risk Committee of the Board.

The role chairs the University’s Management Risk Committee, providing executive‑level oversight of enterprise risk and compliance matters, driving accountability for risk ownership and remediation, and acting as the primary conduit between management, the Executive Team and the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board.

The role will design, implement and embed a contemporary, fit-for-purpose risk management and compliance framework that strengthens governance, enhances institutional integrity, and ensures ongoing alignment with the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF 2021) and associated regulatory obligations. These obligations include, but are not limited to, requirements under TEQSA, ASQA, the ESOS Act, CRICOS and other relevant Commonwealth and State legislation. This role will sit on the University’s Senior Leadership team as well as have board reporting responsibilities.

Torrens University Australia is undertaking a significant, multi-year program to mature its enterprise risk and compliance capabilities. The Senior Director will play a central leadership role in driving this transformation program, while simultaneously ensuring the ongoing, effective delivery of day‑to‑day risk and compliance operations across the University's Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET). This dual‑track responsibility (strategic uplift alongside BAU operational excellence) is at the heart of this role.

The Senior Director will provide strategic oversight of enterprise risk management, internal controls assurance, and risk culture across the University’s Higher Education, VET and international operations. The role will work closely with Executive leadership, Academic Governance, the Board and its Committees to ensure clear visibility of risk exposure, regulatory compliance status, and mitigation strategies.

The Senior Director will lead a dedicated Risk and Compliance team, with accountability for team performance, capability development and the effective allocation of resources across both the uplift program and BAU activities.

Day-to-day accountabilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Risk Uplift Program
• Compliance & Assurance
• Governance & Controls
• BAU Risk & Compliance Operations
• Culture, Capability & Change
• Stakeholder Engagement

This is a permanent full‑time role based in Sydney or Melbourne, with hybrid working arrangements.

Who you are

To grow and be successful in this role, you will ideally bring the following:

• 1/ Postgraduate qualification in Law, Risk, Governance, Business, Finance or related field.
• 2/ 10+ years’ senior leadership experience in highly regulated environments, with knowledge of Australian higher education regulation (desirable).
• 3/ Proven track record leading enterprise‑wide risk transformation and driving change in complex organisations.
• 4/ Deep expertise in risk management, compliance, governance, assurance and internal controls.
• 5/ Experience engaging with regulators and operating at Executive/Board level, including risk reporting and oversight.
• 6/ Strong leadership, stakeholder influence, and strategic problem‑solving capability, with high integrity and sound judgement.

Bold, modern and agile, we’re Australia’s fastest‑growing university, going from 164 students in 2014 to 40,000+ alumni across 115+ countries and 2000+ staff today. In 2020, Australian Financial Review named us one of the country’s most innovative companies. As we continue to establish ourselves as a truly global university, we never lose sight of our student‑centric approach. Supported by teams of passionate people, you’ll find endless opportunities for professional development and career progression. This is a rare opportunity to build and shape an enterprise risk and compliance capability at a pivotal moment in the University's growth journey. The role carries genuine executive mandate, board‑level visibility, and the full support of the Senior Leadership Team — providing the right candidate with a platform to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to the University's governance and integrity.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all positions.

What we offer:

• Study free in a course/degree related to your position.
• B Corp certified university – values driven, and purpose led.
• Access to internal opportunities - Be supported to learn, grow and move across the organisation.
• Competitive salary package, commensurate with the seniority of the role.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, with our primary office located in Sydney.

Hiring process

We aim to provide you with the information you need at each stage of this process to help you present your best self. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact your recruiter at [e-mail] for confidential support. We are committed to ensuring an equitable, barrier‑free application process and have a Reasonable Adjustment Procedure in place to support you throughout the recruitment process.