The Data Governance Specialist plays a critical role within the Enterprise Data & Analytics section, reporting to the Chief Data & Analytics Officer. The role is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and ongoing management of our data and AI governance framework. This role sits at the intersection of data strategy, operations, technical data platform development, and compliance, working across disciplines to ensure our data assets are accurate, secure, and used responsibly across the agency, and enabling ACIC to understand, manage and reduce risks relevant to its data holdings. This includes governance of advanced analytics and AI-enabled capabilities deployed in ACIC-specific functions and corporate contexts. Role responsibilities As a Data Governance Specialist, you will: Enterprise Data and AI Governance Frameworks Co-lead the end-to-end development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Enterprise Data Governance Framework, including creation of tailored policies, standards and operational procedures. Drive the implementation and adoption of the Enterprise Data Strategy, ensuring strategic objectives are translated into practical, enterprise-wide business processes. Lead the creation of high-quality strategic guidance, position papers, and best practice frameworks that provide clear, authoritative advice to stakeholders across the agency. Interpret and apply whole-of-government data and AI policies in an intelligence agency context, providing expert guidance on navigating nuanced exemptions and alternate obligations to ensure practical alignment. Data and AI Assurance, Risk Assessment and Control Design Provide expert data governance assurance support, ensuring all AI and data management practices comply with relevant legal, regulatory, and whole-of-government and agency-specific policies. Perform complex AI risk assessments for existing and proposed AI and advanced analytics use cases, designing and recommending/applying governance controls to ensure systems are lawful, ethical, secure, explainable and subject to appropriate human oversight. Provide authoritative advice on data and AI related risks, controls, oversight mechanisms and reporting to support informed decision making by senior governance bodies. Governance by Design Across Data and Analytics Platforms Collaborate with data engineering, analytics and platform teams to embed data and AI governance by design, ensuring data and AI controls are integrated across the full lifecycle from design to decommissioning. Act as a primary conduit between technical specialists and business areas, translating complex technical data architectures and governance requirements into clear, actionable business insights and advice. Stewardship and Enterprise Governance Forums Operationalise the Data Stewardship model by onboarding, training, and providing ongoing mentorship to Data Stewards, Franchise Data Governance Teams, and other key stakeholders to ensure roles are active and effective. Lead the secretariat function for the Enterprise Data Committee and related governance forums, supporting effective governance decision making through high quality advice, papers, reporting and coordination. Capability Uplift, Literacy and Change Enablement Navigate and resolve complex data governance challenges where there is no clear precedent, applying high-level problem-solving skills to balance competing priorities. Lead the design, delivery and communication of education and training to uplift data and AI literacy, tailoring materials for both technical and non technical audiences. Support enterprise adoption of data and AI governance frameworks through change enablement and focused stakeholder engagement, identifying emerging data needs and barriers to effective data use. YOUR SKILLS AND CAPABILITES We invite applications from people with experience, skills and attributes aligned to the following areas: Enterprise Data and AI Governance Frameworks Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and operationalising enterprise data and AI governance frameworks, including policies, standards and procedures, within complex regulatory environments. Ability to tailor data governance and data management policies, standards, frameworks, procedures and practices according to legal, regulatory and operational contexts. Data and AI Assurance, Risk Assessment and Control Design Knowledge of data and AI ethics, with experience ensuring that data and AI use cases align with ethical standards and guardrails. Experience applying AI governance principles, including performing complex risk assessments, designing and applying appropriate controls, and managing escalation processes. Proven ability to govern data and AI in regulated, sensitive or high risk environments, such as intelligence, law enforcement, national security or similarly complex regulated private sector contexts. Comprehensive knowledge of modern, best practice data governance and data management policies, standards, frameworks, procedures, and practices. Advanced understanding of how emerging technologies (particularly AI) translate into new risks and opportunities, and the ability to adapt data and AI governance approaches to meet rapidly evolving requirements. Governance by Design Across Data and Analytics Platforms Familiarity with modern data architectures, including medallion, and domain-driven data architectures, and the ability to collaborate with data engineers and data scientists to embed data governance controls directly into data platforms. Ability to work collaboratively with data scientists, engineers, and legal teams to ensure governance by design is a collaborative outcome informed by the technical realities. Experience in establishing metadata standards and managing data catalogues to improve data discoverability and usability and trust. Stewardship and Enterprise Governance Forums Experience leading secretariat functions for high-level committees or working groups. Demonstrated ability to engage senior stakeholders on data and AI risk appetite, balancing innovation, operational value and harm minimisation. Capability Uplift, Literacy and Change Enablement Sophisticated understanding of how data provides business value and demonstrated experience in providing business value through data initiatives. Experience driving organisational change to support adoption of new data and AI governance processes across diverse business areas. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to create a compelling story around the business value of data-related initiatives. Ability to adapt communication styles to bridge the gap between technical specialists and non-technical audiences to build shared understanding of governance risks and responsibilities. Ability to design and deliver data and AI literacy programs and training materials tailored to technical and non-technical audiences. Personal Attributes A strong commitment to continual learning and professional development, particularly in relation to evolving data, analytics and AI technologies and the environments in which they operate. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with ambiguity and complexity, making sound, evidence-based decisions when faced with conflicting technical requirements or shifting policy landscapes. Eligibility Citizenship – To be eligible for employment with the ACIC, applicants must be an Australian citizen. Security Clearance - The Australian community expects ACIC employees to maintain the highest levels of security and integrity. Successful applicants will be required to obtain and maintain a minimum Negative Vetting 1 security clearance. Pre-Employment Screening – All candidates must satisfy an Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) prior to being offered employment at the ACIC. The ACIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and champion diversity to ensure we reflect the community we serve, and pride ourselves on our vibrant culture. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ, neurodiverse, mature aged employees and carers. More information about our conditions is available in the ACIC Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 on our website.
