Head of Regulatory Governance

ROLE SUMMARY

The Head of Regulatory Governance & Quality Assurance is a senior institutional leader accountable for ensuring the institution operates within a robust governance, risk, compliance, and quality assurance framework that meets both academic and corporate obligations. The role sets strategy and oversees the implementation of regulatory compliance systems, academic and corporate governance structures, and quality assurance processes, ensuring alignment with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards), ESOS Act, TEQSA Act, CRICOS, ASQA, and other applicable legislation.

As the institution's primary liaison to regulators and key advisor to the CEO, CFO, Governing Council, JMC Board, and Academic Board, the Head safeguards the institution's licence to operate, upholds academic and corporate standards, drives governance reform, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and student outcomes. The position also ensures institutional readiness for external reviews, re-accreditation, and transitions to higher regulatory categories such as Self-Accrediting Authority or University College status.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory Compliance & Assurance

• Lead the ongoing compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards), TEQSA Act 2011, ESOS Act 2000, National Code 2018, and other applicable federal/state legislation.
• Lead preparation of TEQSA, CRICOS, ASQA submissions, annual risk assessments, and regular performance reports.
• Monitor and interpret regulatory updates, advising the Executive and Boards of implications and required actions and implementation schedules.
• Maintain institutional registers, compliance logs, and evidence repositories for audits.
• Coordinate timely responses to regulatory audits, investigations, and formal notices.

Academic & Corporate Governance

• Provide and oversee secretariat & governance leadership to the Governing Council, Academic Board, and their committees.
• Lead governance reform initiatives to ensure structures, charters, and decision-making processes meet best practice and sector expectations.
• Develop and maintain a governance calendar, ensuring all statutory, regulatory, and reporting obligations are met.
• Oversee the institutional policy framework, ensuring both academic and corporate policies are current, compliant, and embedded in practice
• Design and deliver governance induction programs for Board and committee members.
• Ensure clear delegation of authority and accountability in academic decision-making.
• Ensure alignment between academic governance and corporate governance to support institutional strategy.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the Institutional Quality Framework, covering academic quality, learning and teaching excellence, and student experience.
• Oversee internal review cycles, program accreditations/reviews, benchmarking, and peer review processes.
• Implement robust student and stakeholder feedback systems, ensuring findings inform policy, curriculum, and service enhancements.
• Track, analyse, and report on institutional performance indicators related to academic quality, student outcomes, and regulatory risk.
• Maintain and oversee the Academic and Regulatory Risk Register, with active mitigation strategies.
• Advise on potential impacts of non-compliance and emerging risks, escalating as required.
• Ensure regulatory and academic risks are integrated into the institution's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
• Provide clear, timely reporting to the Governing Council Risk Committee (or equivalent) on governance, compliance, and quality-related risks.
• Promote a risk-aware culture across the institution through targeted communication and capability building.

Policy Framework

• Own the institutional policy framework, ensuring currency, accessibility, and compliance alignment.
• Lead regular policy review cycles and ensure consultation across academic and corporate units.
• Draft high-quality governance documents, regulatory submissions, and Board/Academic Board papers.

Strategic Leadership & Sector Engagement

• Provide thought leadership on governance, compliance, and quality matters within the institution and externally.
• Represent the institution at sector bodies, conferences, and with regulators.
• Foster relationships with peer institutions, professional associations, and quality networks to share best practice.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Academic Governance Manager and Risk & Compliance Officer to deliver high performance and professional growth.
• Build governance and compliance capability across academic and corporate units.
• Foster a collaborative, solution-focused culture across the governance and quality portfolio.

KEY ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE

• Significant senior experience in governance, compliance, or quality assurance in higher education.
• In-depth knowledge of the Higher Education Standards Framework, TEQSA Act, ESOS Act, National Code, and related frameworks.
• Demonstrated success in managing institutional regulatory submissions, audits, and accreditation processes.
• Strong understanding of academic and corporate governance principles.
• Proven ability to lead policy frameworks, governance reform, and compliance systems.
• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, with credibility at Board and Executive level.
• Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, and report-writing skills.
• Postgraduate qualification in higher education, law, governance, quality assurance, or related discipline.
• Experience in both higher education and VET regulatory environments.
• Experience navigating transitions to self-accrediting authority or university college status.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Legal, Education, and Quality Assurance

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