Lead, Business Continuity

Apply now Job no: 575417
Work type: Full-time
Location: Flexible
Categories: Management

• Flexible location based at Melbourne, Burwood or Geelong Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and ongoing – commencement from 6 October 2025

Team overview:

As trusted advisors and collaborative partners, the Finance and Assurance function provides a range of services to all parts of the university to drive financial sustainability and provide expert advice and compliance assurance to support delivery of the University Strategy and operational activities.

Our Assurance capability, consisting of Legal Services, Compliance and Contract Governance and Risk, develops the University frameworks and policy, and key expertise that underpins compliance and corporate governance and Deakin's commitment to high standards of integrity.

About the role:

The Lead, Business Continuity will provide strategic coordination, expert advice, and operational leadership for the University's Business Continuity Policy, frameworks and operations to ensure organisational resilience and the continuity of critical services during adverse events. The role is accountable for developing and maintaining risk-based business continuity plans, and supporting the Critical Incident Management Team, Emergency Management Committee, emergency response groups, and security operations teams across all campuses and satellite facilities. The position exercises considerable independence and judgement in managing complex issues, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, industry standards, and best practice.

The Lead, Business Continuity will build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders across academic and professional portfolios, providing authoritative guidance to ensure local plans and responses are fit for purpose and aligned with institutional frameworks. The role also involves leading consultation and collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups to embed a culture of preparedness and promote shared responsibility for continuity planning.

As a Lead, you will:

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the University's Business Continuity Management Program, including refining program scope, strategic objectives, communication strategies, training frameworks, and performance metrics, in alignment with Deakin's Business Continuity Policy and relevant standards (e.g. ISO 22301, AS 3745).
• Provide high-level coordination and strategic support to the Crisis Incident Management Team during critical incidents and emergencies impacting the welfare of staff, students, or core business operations, ensuring alignment with the University's Crisis Management, Business Continuity, and Disaster Recovery Plans.
• Oversee the review, validation, and testing of University and local area Business Continuity Plans, partnering with business unit leaders to ensure continuity plans are current, operationally relevant, and responsive to identified risks.
• Conduct enterprise-wide BIAs to assess key functions, identify interdependencies, and improve Business Continuity Plans and resilience strategies. Analyse challenges and create solutions that convert strategic risks into actionable plans, aligning with Deakin's priorities and regulations.
• Collaborate with Infrastructure and Digital teams and other technology stakeholders to maintain, review, and test Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs) for core infrastructure, ensuring technological resilience supports business continuity objectives, including engaging with stakeholders across academic and professional portfolios to tailor services based on business needs and feedback to enhance service excellence and continuity preparedness.

To be successful, you'll have:

• Relevant qualifications and proven experience in leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide business continuity frameworks, aligned with recognised standards (e.g. ISO 22301), within a complex and highly regulated organisation.
• Demonstrated capability to lead institutional responses to crises and high-risk incidents, including the coordination of Crisis Management Teams and the integration of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans to ensure organisational resilience.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to conduct business impact assessments, translate complex risk data into actionable insights, and develop practical solutions that support continuity planning and risk mitigation.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships across academic and professional groups to embed a culture of preparedness and align continuity planning with business needs.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, briefings, and policy documents for executive leadership and governance bodies, and the ability to influence organisational change through consultation and collaboration.

Here's how to apply:

Only people with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience by clicking the 'Apply' button.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Briony Lewis (Executive Director, Assurance) on briony.lewis@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

Applications for this position close on Thursday, 11 September 2025 at 11:55pm.

Benefits for working with us

At Deakin, we offer more than just a job — we offer a lifestyle. Across our campuses in Geelong, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, you'll find everything you need to thrive: on-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport, and convenient parking. Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off, plus a wide range of staff discounts on travel and more. Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities, and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow — whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Advertised: 27 Aug 2025 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 11 Sep 2025 AUS Eastern Standard Time

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Seeking a strategic leader to provide expert advice, coordination, and operational oversight for the University's Business Continuity Policy. The role ensures organisational resilience and the uninterrupted delivery of critical services during adverse events.

Seeking a strategic leader to provide expert advice, coordination, and operational oversight for the University's Business Continuity Policy. The role ensures organisational resilience and the uninterrupted delivery of critical services during adverse events.