Chief Operating Officer, Tobacco Licensing Victoria

• Provide high-level operational and strategic leadership and oversight to Tobacco Licensing Victoria
• Executive Officer contract - fixed-term
• SES2: $298,489 - $430,740 total remuneration

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer, Tobacco Licensing Victoria, to provide a critical role within Tobacco Licensing Victoria.

About the Business Unit

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) provides a range of government programs and services focused on improving community safety, victim services, regulatory services and crime prevention, and building strong collaboration across the justice system. Located in the Integrity, Regulation and Legal Services (IRLS) group, Tobacco Licensing Victoria (TLV) has been established to deliver the Government's commitment to implement a tobacco regulation and licensing scheme.

Following the passage of the Tobacco Amendment (Tobacco Retailer and Wholesaler Licensing Scheme) Act (Act) in November 2024, Victoria is implementing a tobacco business licensing scheme and regulator to strengthen tobacco regulation. Since 1 July 2025, tobacco retailers and wholesalers can apply for a licence to sell tobacco products, improving oversight and compliance. Additional functions under the Act, including enforcement and broader regulatory powers, will come into effect in February 2026.

About the Role

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, Integrity, Regulation and Legal Services (IRLS), the Chief Operating Officer, Tobacco Licensing Victoria leads Victoria's tobacco licensing scheme and its eventual integration into Liquor Control Victoria, which is Business Unit of the Department of Justice & Community Safety (DJCS).

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the operational and strategic leadership of Tobacco Licensing Victoria in DJCS, as well as ensuring agreed government priorities and outcomes related to tobacco are delivered. The Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for building a regulator that ensures the objectives and guiding principles embedded in the Tobacco Amendment Act 2024. The Chief Operating Officer will work to maintain positive and productive working relationships with an array of internal and external stakeholders.

The Chief Operating Officer will drive policy, operational and planning related activities to ensure the provision of strong expert advice to government and the development of strategic approaches to ensure the effective delivery of the team's remit. This includes Cabinet and Ministerial briefing and development of required policies and procedures and undertaking necessary engagement with partner agencies.

The Chief Operating Officer suits a seasoned executive who can bring together a diverse and multi-disciplinary staffing complement into a cohesive, high performing team to deliver this landmark reform and promoting a culture of excellence.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Provide expert, authoritative and timely advice on complex and sensitive issues both to the Minister and DJCS senior executives on a wide variety of issues related to Victoria's tobacco licensing scheme and its eventual integration into Liquor Control Victoria.
• Apply a highly developed understanding of policy development gained through significant, senior level experience in the public sector to support the ongoing establishment of the tobacco licensing scheme.
• Provide leadership, and influence policy making within DJCS and across the Victorian Government to deliver on government and departmental priorities related to the scheme and provide leadership and strategic oversight to advance the scheme.

Qualifications

• A tertiary degree and over five years' experience in a senior role over a relevant discipline including law, social sciences or public sector business administration is required.

How to Apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.