Group Executive Audit, Risk and Compliance

Lead ANSTO's assurance, risk and compliance functions, driving safety, governance and accountability across a highly regulated environment.

This is a high-impact executive leadership role providing strategic direction across assurance, risk and compliance at Australia's national nuclear agency. The position drives governance, safety and regulatory excellence in a highly regulated environment and plays a pivotal role in shaping organisational accountability and assurance at ANSTO.

The organisation
ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) is Australia's national nuclear organisation and a global leader in nuclear science, technology and nuclear medicine. ANSTO delivers world-class research, innovation and expertise to improve health through both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine, support industry, provide expert advice to government, and develop Australia's nuclear workforce.

As a leading global nuclear science and technology organisation, ANSTO plays a central role in supporting a sustainable future, advancing nuclear capability, and ensuring the safe, ethical and beneficial application of nuclear science, including the production and distribution of nuclear medicines, for the benefit of all Australians.

The opportunity

The Group Executive, Assurance, Risk and Compliance is a key member of the ANSTO Executive Committee, with shared responsibility for the successful execution of ANSTO's vision and strategy. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the role has direct responsibility for organisational safety, risk management and compliance, as well as strategic oversight of governance, regulatory and compliance, enterprise risk, internal audit, nuclear assurance and engineering standards.

This role provides advice and assurance to the CEO, Board, Audit and Risk Committee and Regulators, while also fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and action across the organisation. It requires strong executive presence and the ability to engage constructively with peers as part of the organisational leadership team, influencing outcomes, solving problems and supporting system-wide decision making. Central to the role is strengthening ANSTO's approach to risk and assurance, embedding a forward-looking, solutions-oriented approach that delivers value, reduces risk and supports sustainable outcomes.

This is a newly broadened portfolio that consolidates key assurance functions and extends across multiple disciplines. The Group Executive will lead a team of senior specialists, including the Chief Nuclear Officer, Chief Engineer, Chief Risk and Assurance Officer, and General Manager, Regulatory and Governance. With deep expertise distributed across domains, the role is about unifying and aligning functions, ensuring the structure and operating model are set up to deliver ANSTO's strategic objectives.

The remit includes sponsorship of nuclear and radiological assurance, development and oversight of ANSTO's enterprise risk frameworks, leadership of the internal audit function in accordance with the Board-approved charter, and responsibility for technical assurance across engineering activities. In addition, the role represents ANSTO in external forums, liaises with government and regulatory bodies, and contributes to national and international dialogue on nuclear safety, governance and risk.

About you
You are a senior executive with significant experience leading assurance, risk, compliance, regulatory or governance functions in complex, highly regulated organisations. You have a strong track record of driving organisational strategy, managing system-wide change, breaking down silos and embedding a culture of accountability, safety and continuous improvement.

You bring demonstrated capability in leading diverse, multi-faceted teams of highly specialised senior leaders, including those with independent reporting lines. You are solutions-oriented, able to balance regulatory and compliance obligations with fit-for-purpose, practical responses to organisational challenges. You thrive on delivering outcomes, solving complex problems and ensuring that risk and assurance frameworks enable, rather than impede, organisational performance.

Your leadership style combines independence with collaboration. First and foremost an executive within the organisational leadership team, you are able to provide clear, evidence-based advice and constructive scrutiny, while building trust and ensuring decisions are grounded in sound risk management and assurance practices. With proven credibility at Board and/or Ministerial level, you can represent ANSTO authoritatively with government, regulators, strategic partners and international bodies.

Relevant tertiary qualifications and professional membership or certification are essential.

How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Donna Farrow or Adam Dent of The Orchard Talent Group on email

To apply please submit your current CV via the link and a brief statement of your capabilities. Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.

Applications close 26 October 2025.
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