Senior Privacy Adviser

Edith Cowan University; Perth; On-site; AUD 123,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Wellbeing programs

Corporate discounts

Industry-leading superannuation

Job summary

Edith Cowan University is seeking a Senior Privacy Adviser to lead and evolve its privacy management framework across governance, data protection and information sharing. You will provide strategic, practical guidance to navigate complex regulatory requirements and embed risk-aware privacy practices across projects and operations.

You will liaise with academic and professional areas to strengthen incident response, training, and compliance monitoring, contributing to a culture of privacy

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in privacy, data protection and information governance.
• Experience with privacy impact assessments and data sharing.
• Ability to advise on complex regulatory issues.
• Knowledge of State, Commonwealth and international privacy requirements.
• Policy development and staff training experience.
• Experience in a university or public sector is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve ECU's privacy management framework, including policies and governance arrangements.
• Provide specialist advice on privacy risks, data protection and information sharing.
• Assess privacy incidents, support regulatory reporting and remediation.
• Develop privacy awareness and training; monitor compliance trends.
• Coordinate freedom of information and information-access matters.

Skills

Privacy & data protection

Information governance

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Training & awareness

Stakeholder management

Education

Tertiary qualification in law/compliance/related field

Job description

Strategic & Governance Services
Joondalup Campus
$143,490 to $161,613 total remuneration, comprising salary of $122,641 to $138,131 plus 17% University superannuation (HEW 8)
Ongoing, full-time position
Edith Cowan University
Are you ready to belong to a dynamic community where courage, creativity, and optimism are essential elements of our DNA? At ECU we’re inspired by the incredible achievements of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament and a lifelong champion of education. Empowered by her legacy, we’re united in our vision to lead the sector in educational experience and expand our impact through world-class research.
Embrace an opportunity to become part of something extraordinary. Strategic and Governance Services supports ECU’s governing bodies, schools and professional service areas across governance, strategy, legal and integrity, academic quality and enterprise risk.
The Legal and Integrity team provides advice and services across legal matters, regulatory compliance, privacy, freedom of information, policy governance, complaints, student appeals and integrity matters.

About the Opportunity

The Senior Privacy Adviser is ECU’s Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Officer and plays a leading role in the University’s approach to privacy, data protection and responsible information sharing.
Reporting to the Associate Director, Legal and Integrity, you will lead and continuously improve ECU’s privacy management framework, including its policies, procedures, governance arrangements, controls and assurance activities. You will provide specialist and strategic advice on privacy risks, privacy impact assessments, data protection, information sharing and compliance.
The role will also assess privacy incidents and potential information breaches, support regulatory reporting and remediation, develop privacy awareness and training, monitor compliance trends, and coordinate freedom of information and related information-access matters.
Working across ECU, you will build effective relationships with academic and professional areas and help embed practical, risk-based privacy practices in projects, systems and day-to-day operations.

About you

You will have substantial experience in privacy, data protection, information governance or a related compliance field, supported by a relevant tertiary qualification or an equivalent combination of professional experience, training and accreditation.
You will bring:

• strong knowledge of privacy, data protection and information-risk frameworks
• an understanding of relevant State, Commonwealth and international privacy requirements
• experience assessing privacy risks, incidents and privacy impact assessments
• the ability to provide clear, practical advice on complex regulatory and operational issues
• experience developing policies, procedures, guidance or training
• sound project planning, delivery and change-management skills
• strong analytical, communication and stakeholder-management capabilities.

Experience in a university, public-sector or similarly complex organisation would be advantageous.

Benefits of working at ECU

At ECU we’re committed to fostering a positive employment experience and believe this is fundamental to the success and satisfaction of our employees. Growth and development matter here, because we recognise people are at the centre of everything we do. Our thriving work culture is guided by the ECU values and complemented by a range of employee benefits; visit our website to read about flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, our commitment to Wellbeing, exclusive corporate discounts and industry-leading superannuation.

Contact

For information about the position, please contact Clarke Drury, Associate Director, Legal and Integrity, on 08 158 or at [e-mail]

We strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and faith. For more information on our commitment to equity and diversity, please visit our Inclusive Workplace website.
At ECU, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively encourage people with disability to apply to ECU. To discuss how we can support adjustment requirements, please contact the person listed above.
Applications close Wednesday 18 November 2026, at 11:30pm AWST. ECU reserves the right to commence the recruitment process before the closing date. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application promptly.