About the Team
The AEC is committed to the APS Values of being impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful and ethical.
The Funding and Disclosure (FAD) Reform Program has been established to implement the legislative amendments introducing the new Funding and Disclosure Scheme under the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025.
The Program is delivering two complementary bodies of work across six streams to develop and implement the capabilities required to deliver the reforms. The Funding and Disclosure Regulatory Uplift is developing effective, fit-for-purpose and user-centred policy frameworks, supported by an enduring communications and education program to strengthen participant accountability and understanding of the new legislation. The Funding and Disclosure ICT Modernisation is delivering modern, secure, reliable and agile systems to support the AEC’s transition to a large-scale regulator and enable the AEC to respond to future changes in the Scheme and whole-of-government strategic policy.
The FAD Governance and Assurance team supports delivery of the Funding and Disclosure Reform Program by establishing effective governance, assurance, performance and benefits management arrangements. The team works closely with senior executives, program leaders, business areas and external assurance partners to strengthen accountability, transparency and delivery confidence, while ensuring frameworks and oversight mechanisms remain fit for purpose and aligned with Commonwealth and agency requirements.
The Opportunities
This is an exciting opportunity to join the AEC and contribute to work that has a direct impact on Australia's democratic processes.
As Assistant Director, Governance and Assurance, you will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of governance, assurance and performance management arrangements that support delivery of the FAD Reform Program. Working under broad direction, you will provide strategic advice and leadership across governance frameworks, benefits management and realisation, assurance activities and organisational performance reporting.
You will work closely with senior executives, program leaders and stakeholders to strengthen accountability, transparency and delivery confidence. Depending on business requirements, your primary focus may be governance, benefits management and realisation, or assurance functions including assurance planning, assurance reviews, post-implementation reviews and support for external assurance activities. You will lead complex work, deliver high-quality advice, reporting and recommendations, guide team members, manage sensitive issues with sound judgement and contribute to organisational capability and a culture of integrity, collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
In this role, you will drive the maturity and effectiveness of governance, assurance, performance and benefits management practices across the Program. You will develop and enhance frameworks, processes and reporting arrangements, provide high-quality advice and recommendations to support executive decision-making, lead assurance and review activities, and monitor the implementation of improvement initiatives. Working across diverse stakeholder groups, you will build strong relationships, strengthen accountability and delivery confidence, and provide leadership and guidance to support a high-performing and collaborative team environment.
To excel you’ll have:
We are seeking highly capable professionals who can demonstrate:
- Demonstrated experience leading governance, assurance, performance management or related functions in a complex program, project or operational environment.
- Ability to apply governance, assurance and accountability principles to develop, implement and improve frameworks, processes and reporting arrangements.
- Experience supporting executive governance bodies and senior decision-makers through clear, high-quality briefs, committee papers, reports and recommendations.
- Demonstrated experience in benefits management and realisation, organisational performance monitoring, assurance reviews, or a combination of these disciplines.
- Strong analytical and judgement skills, including the ability to interpret complex information, manage sensitive issues and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build productive relationships and provide strategic advice.
- Demonstrated leadership capability, including coaching team members, managing competing priorities and delivering results with initiative, integrity and professionalism.
Desirable
- Experience working in a large-scale transformation program, regulatory environment or Australian Public Service organisation.
Eligibility
- AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
- Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.
Contact: Chris Payne, chris.payne@aec.gov.au, 02 5137 2678
Due Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026, 11:59pm AEDT