The Head, Governance, Risk and Performance is a senior leadership position within the Corporate Services Branch, accountable for the strategic leadership, design and continuous improvement of the Memorial’s governance framework at an enterprise level. Operating with a high degree of independence under broad direction from the Assistant Director, Corporate Services (Branch Head), the role sets governance strategy, drives organisational compliance maturity, and provides authoritative high level advice to the Executive and Council.

The role is responsible for ensuring the Memorial meets its legislative, regulatory, and accountability obligations, while enabling informed decision-making and supporting organisational performance and risk management at a whole-of-entity level.

The position requires deep expertise in public sector governance, robust judgement, and the ability to engage, influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders, including the Executive, Council, and external oversight bodies.

The successful candidate will be a highly credible senior leader with a demonstrated ability to operate at the strategic level within a complex public sector environment.

They will:

Demonstrate high-level judgement, integrity and professionalism, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex issues

Be a trusted adviser to senior executives, capable of influencing decisions and shaping organisational direction

Possess strong conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into practical outcomes

Show proven experience leading enterprise governance frameworks and driving organisational improvement

Be an engaging and authoritative communicator, able to build relationships and influence at all levels

Lead with resilience, adaptability and a focus on outcomes

Core Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Memorial’s governance framework, ensuring alignment with legislative, regulatory and whole-of-government requirements.

Provide strategic leadership of corporate planning, performance and evaluation, including the Corporate Plan,



Annual Report, Portfolio Budget Statements, visitor and audience evaluation, and other whole-of-entity reporting.

Oversee and uplift enterprise approaches to risk management, compliance, fraud control, assurance, Freedom of Information and privacy, ensuring maturity, integration and continuous improvement.

Act as the Memorial’s principal adviser on governance, influencing senior leadership decision-making and shaping organisational policy and practice.

Executive and Ministerial Governance

Provide authoritative, strategic advice and briefing to the Executive, Council and Minister on governance, performance, risk and compliance matters.

Strategic Leadership and Management

Provide vision, leadership and direction to the Governance and Executive Support functions, fostering a high-performing, professional and responsive team.

Manage significant resources, including budget, workforce planning and capability development, to achieve strategic outcomes.

Drive a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and accountability, embedding best-practice governance approaches across the organisation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

Build and maintain strategic relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including central agencies, auditors and regulatory bodies.

Lead negotiation and influence outcomes on complex governance issues, representing the Memorial in external forums as required.

Promote a strong governance culture across the organisation through education, guidance and leadership.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).





All applicants external to AWM that are offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a National Police Check, even if they currently hold a security clearance. The check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.

Mandatory Requirements

Ability to Obtain and Maintain a Baseline Security Clearance.

Contact Information

For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please contact: Leanne Patterson,

For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

The Memorial is committed to workplace diversity and maintains an environment that values the contribution of people from different backgrounds and experiences. The Memorial welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability.

Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made.

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.

Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.

About the Australian War Memorial

Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made.

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.

Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.

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📌 Head, Governance, Risk and Peformance (Canberra)
🏢 The Australian War Memorial
📍 Canberra