Acknowledgement of Country
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.
Role highlights
- Lead and embed enterprise‑wide data and AI governance frameworks
- Influence senior stakeholders and support executive decision-making
- Uplift organisational data capability and literacy across CSIRO
About CSIRO
As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.
Visit CSIRO.au for more information.
The opportunity
At CSIRO, data and digital capabilities underpin our scientific impact and enterprise performance. The Digital Office, led by the Chief Digital Officer, is responsible for delivering CSIRO’s Data and Digital Roadmap and strengthening how data and digital are used across the organisation.
As the Executive Manager, Data and AI Governance, you will lead the establishment and implementation of enterprise‑wide data and AI governance frameworks that enable confident, consistent and effective use of data and AI. You will clarify data roles and accountabilities, strengthen the management of key data assets, uplift data capability, and lead CSIRO’s AI governance approach to ensure ethical, transparent and responsible use of AI.
Strong stakeholder engagement and influence will be key to your success, as you work across CSIRO to build trust, navigate complexity and position the Digital Office as a reliable and innovative partner.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of CSIRO’s enterprise Data Governance Framework, ensuring it is pragmatic, scalable and supports both research and enterprise needs.
- Define and embed clear data ownership, stewardship, accountabilities and decision rights, supported by fit‑for‑purpose standards for metadata, data quality and data classification aligned with the Protective Security Policy Framework.
- Establish and embed data discoverability practices and processes for internal data sharing and interoperability.
- Partner with Research Data Services and other stakeholders to standardise data lifecycle management practices, particularly for research data, and monitor adoption and effectiveness of governance arrangements.
- Lead CSIRO’s AI governance and responsible AI approach, including custodianship of the Responsible Use of AI Procedure, oversight of AI risk management, and alignment with evolving regulatory developments and best practice.
- Build organisational data literacy and capability, championing good data and AI practices through guidance, education and engagement across research and enterprise teams.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Digital Officer and senior leaders, supporting effective decision‑making through governance forums, maturity insights, risk reporting, and contribution to Roadmap reviews and prioritisation.
Role particulars
Location: Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Canberra
Salary: AU$163k – AU$180k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Indefinite, Full-time
Reference: 102649
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
- Proven experience leading enterprise Data and AI Governance frameworks, including design, implementation, and continuous improvement in complex environments.
- Strong knowledge of data management, metadata, data quality, classification, and lifecycle practices, and how to operationalise these at scale across research and enterprise contexts.
- Demonstrated understanding of Responsible AI, AI risk management, and emerging regulatory and policy landscapes, with experience embedding practical governance controls.
- Exceptional relationship management skills with a track record of influencing senior stakeholders and building trusted, cross-functional relationships, including the ability to navigate competing priorities and organisational sensitivities.
- Highly developed strategic thinking and judgement, with the ability to translate ambiguity into clear governance approaches, decision frameworks, and pragmatic implementation pathways.
- Visible, values-led leadership style that builds capability and culture, including driving data literacy, ownership, and responsible AI behaviours across diverse workforce cohorts.
- Strong communication and advisory capability, able to present complex technical and risk concepts clearly to executives, governance forums, and non-technical audiences.
- Experience working within government, regulated, or research-intensive environments, including alignment to security, privacy, and data sovereignty requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through change, proactively pivoting approaches based on new risks, technologies, or organisational priorities while maintaining momentum and trust.
- Commitment to inclusive and culturally appropriate data practices, including experience or demonstrated capability of working with Indigenous data governance principles and diverse stakeholder groups.
- Poise, diplomacy, and grace under pressure.
- Tertiary qualification (or equivalent industry experience in computer science, information management, data governance, or a related field.
For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.
Not sure if you meet all the criteria?
While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.
Setting you up for success
We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please reach out to the contact on page 1 of the position description, to let us know how we can support you.
Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.
Inclusion and belonging
Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.
CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.
Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.
The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Baseline level.
Child safety
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.
How to apply
Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.
Applications close
16th April 2026, 11pm AEDT.