Confidential Executive Leadership Opportunity | Sydney
Shape governance. Build resilience. Lead organisational integrity.
An exceptional opportunity exists for an accomplished executive to lead a Governance and Risk portfolio within a large, complex and highly visible organisation undergoing significant transformation.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Governance & Risk Officer is a trusted executive advisor responsible for leading governance, enterprise risk, internal audit, legal oversight, compliance, privacy, GIPA and safeguarding functions. This influential leadership role partners closely with the Executive Leadership Team, elected representatives and the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee to ensure robust governance frameworks, sound decision-making and organisational accountability.
About the Role;
Leading a multidisciplinary team, you will:
- Drive the organisation's enterprise governance, risk and compliance strategy.
- Provide strategic legal and governance advice to the Executive Leadership Team and governing body.
- Lead enterprise risk management and continue to strengthen organisational risk maturity.
- Oversee the Internal Audit function and provide high-quality reporting to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.
- Lead GIPA, privacy and information governance functions.
- Oversee safeguarding responsibilities, including policy development, mandatory reporting obligations and organisational capability.
- Identify emerging strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
- Champion continuous improvement, governance excellence and a culture of accountability across the organisation.
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team while delivering exceptional service outcomes.
You are an experienced executive leader who combines sound judgement with strong commercial and political acumen. You thrive in complex stakeholder environments and have a proven ability to influence executive leaders, governing bodies and external agencies.
You will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in Law, Governance, Risk Management or a related discipline.
- Extensive senior leadership experience in governance, legal, risk management or compliance within a large and complex organisation.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise governance and organisational risk frameworks.
- Experience working with Executive Leadership Teams, Boards, Councillors or equivalent governance structures.
- Strong knowledge of governance legislation, compliance obligations and contemporary best practice, ideally within the public sector or local government.
- Exceptional communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to lead organisational change and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical capability, commercial judgement and strategic thinking.
This executive leadership role offers the opportunity to influence organisational strategy, strengthen governance capability and make a lasting impact across a large and complex organisation delivering essential services to its community.
Apply for a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Nicole Sisinni on 0488 810 185
To apply, please submit your resume together with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Apply For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to submit your application, please contact:
Nicole Sisinni
Executive Recruiter
Norwest Recruitment
0488 810 185
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. The identity of the hiring organisation will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates during the recruitment process.

