General Manager, Privacy Case Management

About the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Working with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will put you at the forefront of data protection and access to information regulation. As an independent statutory agency, the OAIC’s work is of national significance and plays an important role in shaping Australia’s information handling landscape across the economy - from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications. Our mission is to uphold and promote Australia’s privacy and freedom of information laws.

We are an agency within the Attorney-General Department’s portfolio with responsibility for:

• privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Digital ID Act 2024, the My Health Records Act 2012 and in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010
• freedom of information functions, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

SES leadership roles in the OAIC

SES within the OAIC work as a united team, collaborating and supporting each other and staff in achieving outcomes for the Australian community, and ensuring the agency’s success.

SES at the OAIC are expected to lead by motivating and organising people to produce outcomes that make a difference. It is not just about what our SES deliver, but also how they deliver through their teams and networks. This includes encouraging others to innovate and collaborate.

You will demonstrate leadership that aligns with the values of the OAIC, which include:

• Modelling and championing the OAIC’s Guiding Principles (‘4 Pillars’): being proactive, proportionate, purpose-driven and people-focused
• Possessing integrity and demonstrating alignment with the APS Values: Impartial, Committed to service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Stewardship
• Empowering staff to make decisions and supporting a shift to a more harm-focused regulatory approach for the OAIC that considers risk in a proportionate manner and is not risk averse
• Supporting OAIC’s Commissioners to set the strategic direction of the OAIC, communicating that direction internally and externally, and leading your team to deliver on it.

Teams/functions the role oversees

You will lead a team of professionals responsible for a high volume of individual privacy complaints, which include high-risk and complex matters. The team you will oversee is responsible for progressing individual privacy complaints through to resolution, including via written decision and at times utilising alternative dispute resolution techniques or an investigation pathway.

You will balance priorities and resources across your teams to ensure the best possible delivery of services and alignment with the OAIC’s regulatory priorities.

You will also support and champion case management improvements and work proactively with colleagues in the OAIC to ensure a one-OAIC approach.

Key relationships

You will be expected to develop and maintain effective and productive working relationships with a broad range of external stakeholders including government agencies, regulators, academia, the private sector and the Minister’s Office. You will also be required to build and maintain strong working relationships across the OAIC, in particular with the Commissioners and SES colleagues and other leaders within the OAIC.

You will represent the OAIC at high levels within and outside government.

You will provide strong leadership, guidance and mentoring to staff within your branch to foster their professional development.

About the branch

The Privacy Case Management Branch is responsible for case managing individual privacy complaints received by the OAIC through finalisation. This includes engaging with complainants and respondents to make inquiries and gather information and evidence; facilitating alternative dispute resolution; and making decisions on complaints including written determinations made under section 52 of the Privacy Act.

About The Role

The General Manager, Privacy Case Management is a senior leader role responsible for overseeing the delivery of OAIC’s individual privacy complaints casework in a way that directs resources efficiently and in line with regulatory priorities, and upholds the privacy rights of individuals.

The General Manager will have recognised expertise in public administration and leadership, preferably in the context of overseeing statutory programs. You will need to strategically allocate resources to optimise efficiency and effectiveness, and engage with risk to achieve quality outcomes. The occupant will be accountable for the timeliness of OAIC’s individual privacy complaints handling.

The General Manager will be expert at managing complex and high volume workloads and possess a solid grasp on the principles of administrative law. Practice experience in privacy law, complaints management, casework and alternative dispute resolution will be highly regarded.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Ensuring the OAIC’s delivery of services to the Australian community promotes and upholds privacy rights
• Leading, guiding and mentoring teams delivering high volume case work, and fostering professional development and effectiveness
• Exercising sound judgement and applying principles of good administrative decision making, and taking regulatory action strategically to improve compliance
• Providing expert advice to the Executive General Manager and Commissioners on privacy law and regulatory responses
• Developing and implementing systems and processes to support effective and efficient case management, and ensure the delivery of high quality and timely decisions while applying limited resources optimally and sustainably
• Managing internal change that ensures that the wellbeing of OAIC staff is supported as they contribute to the evolution of the agency and delivery of significant initiatives
• Positioning the OAIC to be responsive to emerging risks and to adopt a regulatory posture that aligns with government and community expectations
• Promoting awareness and understanding of the legislative requirements under the Privacy Act and related statutes by contributing to the development of guidance for the regulated sector and the community, and representing the OAIC in external forums
• Developing and maintaining effective and productive networks of relationships across government and with other regulators, academia, private sector and the Minister’s Office, and positioning the OAIC as a trusted regulator
• Contributing to submissions to, and where required represent the OAIC at, parliamentary committees and other forums
• Contributing to the OAIC Executive group including strategic planning, corporate management and budgetary responsibilities, including demonstrating genuine collegiality
• Adhering to and promoting the APS Values and Code of Conduct and acts with utmost integrity and professionalism.

A merit list of suitable candidates will be established and may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies.

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are seeking applications from candidates who have:

• Legal qualifications or extensive experience in policy and/or managing in a regulatory environment requiring an expert level understanding of legislation, or an ability to quickly obtain this knowledge
• Demonstrated experience in the proportionate management of resources to achieve effective and timely regulatory outcomes
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide teams, and a demonstrated commitment to developing and empowering staff
• Strong stakeholder engagement experience, including representing organisations externally
• High-level strategic skills
• Demonstrated experience in leading through change
• Experience in managing the development and implementation of organisational policies, programs and approaches to work
• In depth knowledge of the Privacy Act 1988 and related legislation or the demonstrated ability to quickly acquire this knowledge
• Ability to provide impartial and forthright advice to senior leaders, giving consideration to organisational and government priorities.

Desirable:

• Extensive experience operating in a casework environment with a legislative basis
• Experience in complaint handling, alternative dispute resolution and investigation, or equivalents
• Legal, management or public administration qualifications (e.g., LLB/ MBA/MPA).

These duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and Office policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the Office may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

Security requirements

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance.

SES Requirements

The Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours expected from SES across the APS and apply to senior leadership roles in the OAIC. The behaviours build on the Integrated Leadership System and APS Leadership Capability Framework.

This role is considered an Officer under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and is required to exercise due diligence in complying with the obligations under this Act.

Position location

The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance.  Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD (and preferred), we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia.

The OAIC values face-to-face interaction and fostering connection between our people and with our stakeholders. The OAIC’s hybrid work model expects in office attendance when the type of work or task is better suited to being completed from an office, for example, staff inductions and onboarding, planning days, relationship building activities and project or collaborative work.

Remuneration and benefits

Salary will be negotiated with the successful candidate, commensurate with the work level standards at the SES Band 1 level.

The OAIC is committed to enabling its people to perform at their best and offers the following benefits:

• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of privacy and data protection, paving the way for future career opportunities.
• Access to ongoing professional development, with a capability framework to guide skill enhancement.
• Genuine flexibility to help achieve a balance between work and home life.
• Paid leave over the Christmas to New Year period as well as access to other leave (e.g. for study or moving).
• Contribution to your wellbeing through subsidies for eye health, flu vaccinations and a wellbeing allowance.

The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.

Eligibility

• Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens.
• There are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.
• For the duration of your employment with the OAIC you will be required to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 and meet required background, identification and character checks.
• Note: All duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and OAIC policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

How to Apply

1. Please complete the application form found at the end of this job pack as part of your submission.
2. Please provide a statement of claim of up to 2 A4 pages, addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your statement should include the use of practical and professional examples as relevant to the role and the job specific capabilities, skills and experience outlined above.
3. Your application form, CV and statement of claim should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.  Please ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number found on the front page of this pack.