Team Leader Governance and Assurance

DIRECTORATE:
Business, Growth & Community

CLASSIFICATION:
Grade K

SALARY:
$153,831 to $178,443 pa + 12% employer contribution to superannuation 

REPORTING TO:
Service Leader Strategy, Performance and Assurance

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
Permanent Full Time

THE POSITION:
This position provides strategic leadership of AlburyCity's corporate governance, assurance and accountability framework. The role is responsible for driving best-practice governance across the organisation, ensuring Council meets its legislative, regulatory and ethical obligations while supporting informed and transparent decision-making.

The position acts as Council's governance subject matter expert, providing high-level advice to the Executive Team, Mayor and Councillors on governance, legislative compliance, risk, integrity and public accountability matters. The role leads the development and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, assurance programs and governance capability, positioning governance as a strategic enabler of organisational performance and community trust. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and develop a high-performing Governance team with clear outcomes, service standards and continuous improvement.
• Establish a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism and proactive problem-solving across the team.
• Oversee workflow allocation, performance management, capability development, succession planning and workforce planning.
• Drive efficiencies through process and systems improvement and elimination of duplication.
• Manage the Governance budget, ensuring effective resource allocation and value for money.

Governance:

• Lead the strategic development, implementation and continuous improvement of AlburyCity's governance framework, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, contemporary governance practice and organisational objectives.
• Provide expert governance advice to the Executive Team, Service and Team Leaders, Mayor and Councillors on governance, probity, ethics, delegations, decision-making and statutory obligations.
• Oversee the monitoring of emerging legislative, regulatory and governance developments and assess implications for Council operations and governance practices.
• Lead the development, review and implementation of governance-related policies, frameworks, systems and standards across the organisation.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of governance assurance mechanisms to monitor compliance, identify risks and support organisational accountability.
• Provide strategic oversight of Council's policy framework, ensuring policy governance arrangements are effective, current and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Drive governance maturity initiatives and continuous improvement programs that strengthen accountability, transparency and organisational performance.
• Lead governance reporting to Executive Team, Council and committees, providing analysis, recommendations and insight into governance performance and compliance obligations.
• Oversee Council's Delegations Framework and governance registers to ensure legislative compliance and effective decision-making authority.
• Foster a culture of integrity, ethical conduct and good governance across the organisation through education, awareness and advisory support.
• Represent AlburyCity in governance forums, networks and sector working groups.
• Develop and maintain Governance Team internal and external stakeholder relationships.
   

Assurance, Integrity and Compliance

• Lead the coordination and monitoring of Council's governance assurance activities, including internal audit, compliance reporting, internal controls and governance reviews.
• Support organisational compliance with the Local Government Act, GIPA Act, PPIPA Act and other relevant legislation.
• Coordinate governance responses to external reviews, audits, regulatory enquiries and integrity-related matters.
• Monitor governance risks and trends and recommend improvement actions to strengthen organisational resilience.
• Provide governance oversight of Council's Code of Conduct processes and act as the alternate Complaints Coordinator.
• Maintain strategic oversight of disclosure, conflict of interest, pecuniary interest and other governance compliance registers.
   

Executive Support: 

• Lead governance support services for Council, committees and executive decision-making processes.
• Ensure Council and committee reports, agendas and minutes meet legislative, governance and administrative requirements.
• Provide governance advice and support regarding Council resolutions, delegated authority and statutory decision-making processes.
• Oversee governance arrangements associated with local government elections, mayoral elections and councillor induction programs.
• Coordinate governance education and briefing initiatives for Councillors and Executive Leaders.
   

Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC): 

• Provide strategic oversight of governance support and advisory services to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in accordance with NSW Office of Local Government requirements.
• Lead the development, implementation and reporting of ARIC work plans and action tracking.
• Monitor governance, audit and compliance matters arising from ARIC and support organisational responses to recommendations and findings.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors, ARIC members and Senior Leaders to support effective governance and assurance outcomes.
• Oversee the preparation of governance, risk and assurance reporting for consideration by ARIC.
   

Other: 

• Perform other tasks or duties as directed by the Supervisor which are within the limits of the employee's skill, competence and training.
• Observe requirements of the WHS Legislation, relevant to the job and adhere to AlburyCity Policies and Procedures regarding WHS.
• Observe appropriate AlburyCity Policies and Procedures regarding day to day operations including Equal Employment Opportunity policies, AlburyCity's Dress Code and Standards Policy and AlburyCity's Code of Conduct.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

• Our people
• Our Mayor and Councillors
• Executive Team and Service Leader Group
• Strategy and Performance Cluster

External

• Our community
• Government Officials and Departments

• ARIC independent members

  • Auditors

  • Other external stakeholders 

     

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• Based on a 35-hour week, with actual days and times being Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, with an RDO in accordance with AlburyCity's RDO guidelines.
• This position may involve work outside normal working hours. Additional hours over the standard 35 hours will attract a time in lieu arrangement or payment of overtime rates as agreed in advance with your supervisor.
• This position does not require you to wear a compulsory uniform, however you must follow the dress code requirements within the AlburyCity’s Our People Dress Code Standards. Our People are required to present a smart and professional image to the public at all times including when in public and when working remotely.
• This position involves working in a predominantly indoor environment and using a computer is considered a core component of the role. There may be occasional visits to other work locations. The position requires an average level of aerobic and physical fitness to undertake occasional physical activities, such as walking and lifting, along with general manual handling tasks as part of a normal working environment. A medical declaration is required for this position.
• This position requires the employee to lodge an annual Pecuniary Interest Return.
• This position is delegated with certain powers, authorities, duties and functions of Council under the AlburyCity Delegations of Authority in accordance with section 378 of the Local Government Act. 
• This position is subject to alcohol and other drug testing
• This position is located at the AlburyCity Administration Building, 553 Kiewa Street, Albury with occasional visits to external sites/depots as required.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Tertiary qualification in Business Management, Governance, Audit, Human Resources, Legal or related field or relevant, equivalent relevant experience

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Class C (standard) Driver's Licence
• Experience in a similar role within the Local Government setting

EXPERIENCE

• Requires extensive experience (typically 5+ years) in a senior governance, assurance, audit, risk or compliance leadership role within a large, complex organisation, preferably local government. 
• Experience providing strategic advice to executive leadership teams and elected representatives, leading governance frameworks, managing legislative compliance obligations, and overseeing organisational assurance activities.
• Experience in leading teams and the management of a diverse range of professionals. 
   

SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Extensive knowledge of the Local Government Act 1993, Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and Office of Local Government governance requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in governance frameworks, accountability systems, policy governance and assurance practices.
• Ability to provide strategic governance advice to elected representatives and senior executives.
• Strong understanding of risk management, internal audit, compliance and organisational assurance principles.
• Highly developed influencing, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex governance improvement and organisational change initiatives.
• Skilled in the use of a range of software packages such as MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Email systems, Internet