Data Governance

Job Description - Data Governance & Protection Lead (0000B144)

Data Governance & Protection Lead - 0000B144

Join us to make a difference for all students in NSW

• Ongoing, full-time opportunity

Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available

Looking for your next big challenge?

NESA is hiring for multiple roles in our newly established Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, and Data Protection team, and we are looking for passionate professionals to join us.

This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead on data governance and protection at the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

This is your opportunity to shape how NESA manages, safeguards, and leverages data ensuring integrity, security, and trust across the organisation.

You'll be at the forefront of embedding best practice, influencing strategy, and building strong data governance foundations that support both our compliance obligations and future ambitions.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Designing and rolling out a governance framework, policies and standards that aligns with business, compliance, and risk objectives.
• Leading enterprise-wide practices for metadata management, data lineage, classification standards, and stewardship.
• Driving improvements in data quality and managing the full lifecycle of information assets.
• Partnering with security and privacy teams to deliver robust data protection measures.
• Supporting the implementation of technical safeguards including DLP, encryption, and data masking.
• Guiding and educating teams on data governance principles and supporting audits.
• Ensure compliance with NSW privacy and data protection legislation.
• Measuring governance effectiveness through clear KPIs and reporting.
• Keeping NESA ahead of the curve on evolving governance, privacy, and security trends.

Chair or coordinate data governance forums and working groups.

• Proven ability to design data governance frameworks and driving adoption across complex organisations.
• Experience applying data protection principles, including privacy by design, data minimisation, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in building audit-ready data lifecycle processes and lifting data quality while reducing duplication.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with confidence in guiding, negotiating, and building relationships at all levels.
• Leadership capability to inspire and coach a small team while working collaboratively across NESA.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or demonstrated equivalent relevant professional experience.
• A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment (prior to commencement, not required at application)

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) we work with the NSW community to drive improvements in student achievement.

We achieve this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

To find out more about the important work we do for NSW visit our website .

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application:

• Please provide an example where you managed a challenging data governance, compliance, or information management issue. How did you approach the situation, influence stakeholders, and ensure a positive outcome while maintaining professionalism and integrity?
• Please describe a project or initiative where you implemented or improved data governance or protection practices. What steps did you take to ensure quality outcomes, manage risks, and engage others in adopting new processes?

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to the contact person above.

Close date: 16 September 2025 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and refugees.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.

Sydney Region-Sydney City

Full-time

1

Total Remuneration Package: $129,464 - $142,665 plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

16-Sep-2025, 1:59:00 PM

Job Category

Information and communications technology

We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW, and acknowledge theircontinued connection to their country and culture.