Senior Director, Governance and Deputy Registrar

Closes: 17 August 2026

Classification: Senior Officer Grade A

Salary: $172,246 plus superannuation

Position No: 00410

Directorate: ACT Long Service Leave Authority

Advertised (Gazettal date): 27 July 2026

Contact Officer: Helen Innes on Sign in to view email or (02) 6232 2200

Details: About us

ACT Leave is the Statutory Authority responsible for administering the ACT's portable long service leave schemes. We are a small, purpose-driven organisation with a big remit.

Our values of Responsive, Approachable, Reliable, Transparent and Informed are not just words on our website, they shape how we work with each other and with the clients and industries we serve.

ACT Leave is growing into its next chapter. That means the systems, standards and culture we build over the next couple of years are the ones we will run on for the next decade. If you want a seat at that table, this is the kind of opportunity you want to apply for.

About The Role

This is one of the most senior and critical roles at ACT Leave. As Senior Director, Governance and Deputy Registrar, you will be part of the Executive Team, report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar and build the governance, legal, risk, assurance and enforcement capability that keeps a statutory authority operating with integrity. You will also step into the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar role, exercising real statutory authority under the Long Service Leave (Portable Schemes) Act 2009 during periods of leave. You won't be inheriting a mature function, you will be designing and setting the standard for how ACT Leave operates for years to come.

You will

• Be the trusted governance advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, the Board and its Committees including providing the frank, sometimes-uncomfortable advice that keeps an organisation accountable.
• Lead ACT Leave's risk and assurance framework, from risk appetite and registers through to overseeing the internal audit program and fraud and integrity controls.
• Lead ACT Leave's enforcement function, ensuring obligations under the Long Service Leave (Portable Schemes) Act 2009 are identified, monitored and met.
• Acting as Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, when required.
• Instruct and manage external legal counsel, and coordinate ACT Leave's legal risk, regulatory reporting and enforcement escalation.
• Build the team’s capability from the ground up including design the function, recruit and develop the team and embed a culture where governance and risk are seen as partners.
• Hold a genuine seat at the Executive Team table, contributing to ACT Leave's strategic planning and Strategic Plan.

About You

• A genuine track record establishing or leading governance, risk, regulatory or legal functions, not just operating within one someone else already built.
• Excellent understanding of Australian administrative law, statutory interpretation and the accountability frameworks that come with operating inside government, or the confidence to master them fast.
• Comfortable holding real statutory authority and exercising it with sound judgement, including acting on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar when required.
• Skilled at turning complex legal and governance matters into plain language a Board, Executive Team or staff can use.
• Tertiary qualifications in law, with substantial experience in a senior governance, risk or regulatory leadership roles.

Why ACT Leave?

• A genuine seat at the table. Being a leader in a small team means real influence, visible impact and direct exposure to Executive and Board-level decision-making.
• Flexible working arrangements are available.
• Competitive ACT Government remuneration, leave and superannuation conditions, with further remuneration considered for the right candidate.
• Investment in your development with training and career pathways tailored to your professional goals.
• The chance to help build something. As ACT Leave grows, you will help shape the systems, culture and our way of working.

Preferred

Eligibility/Other Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in law.
• Substantial experience (typically five or more years) in a senior legal, governance, risk or regulatory role, with demonstrated capability across multiple domains relevant to this position.
• Demonstrated experience instructing and managing external legal counsel, ensuring advice is cost-effective and aligned with strategic priorities.

Highly desirable

• Experience in a statutory authority, regulatory body or small government agency with a significant legislative remit.
• Experience in a Deputy Registrar, Registrar or equivalent statutory decision-making role.
• Postgraduate qualifications in governance, risk management or a related discipline (for example, the Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance through the Governance Institute of Australia), or a professional accreditation such as a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Note: The position is available for permanent filling.

The selection process will include an interview and a writing task.

A merit pool will be created from this recruitment process to fill identical vacancies in the next 12 months.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted directly to Executive Intelligence Group .

Before applying, please obtain selection documentation from the Executive Intelligence Group vacancies page Vacancies – Executive Intelligence Group Ref. No.1078. If, after reading the selection documentation, you require further information please contact Helen Innes at Executive Intelligence Group on (02) 6232 2200.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

Career Interest Categories

Executive and Statutory Offices

Leaders and Senior Management