Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance

About Us:

We create extraordinary experiences. We create memories, we take care of our shared heritage. This means careers where we have to innovate and always push for better, and where your perspective is always valued. This is a world where we bring together our love for the natural environment and our care for one another to make a real difference. This is a world where you'll discover something new, every day.

As an organisation, you'll also discover a culture that will challenge your expectations. We're value driven, but also a $70m community based, purpose driven organisation that is innovative, modern and leads in our sector. With a focus on constant improvement, we're providing an essential service, managing iconic locations, and always doing the right thing.

The Role:

As the Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), you will be a trusted advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and the Trust (Board), leading the frameworks that underpin strong governance, effective risk management, and a robust compliance culture across SMCT.

This influential and strategic role will oversee governance systems, integrity controls, information management, legal affairs, and business resilience. Supported by a small and capable team, you'll continuously improve the frameworks and practices that safeguard SMCT's reputation, compliance obligations, and operational effectiveness.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of SMCT's governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
• Provide strategic direction for enterprise risk and assurance, internal audit, and business continuity management.
• Oversee information management governance, including records, data governance, digital systems, privacy, and Freedom of Information.
• Partner with internal technical experts to strengthen data and information management processes, including AI and digital governance.
• Manage integrity frameworks covering fraud control, delegations, conflicts of interest, and other critical controls.
• Oversee internal audit programs and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.
• Provide legal oversight, including engagement with external legal advisors and regulatory compliance matters.
• Build GRC capability and culture across the organisation through education, coaching, and collaboration.

Your Profile:

We are looking for someone with exceptional leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and a passion for building robust systems of governance, risk, and information management.  In addition to this, you will bring:

• Demonstrated and extensive experience in governance, risk, compliance, or a related field
• Proven ability to lead and uplift GRC frameworks within a complex or multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrated expertise in information management, digital governance, privacy, and/or data governance.
• Strong understanding of public sector integrity, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and influence at all levels.
• A practical and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Experience managing internal audit programs and business continuity planning.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, business, risk management, or a related discipline (postgraduate qualifications desirable).

What's on Offer:

We offer a fulfilling career with exceptional personal and professional growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive range of benefits:

• Access to Leadership and Development Programs to foster professional growth and advancement.
• Employee Health, Wellbeing and Assistance Programs including complimentary onsite physio services.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Immediate access to unpaid parental leave and a short waiting period of only three months for paid parental leave, applicable to both full-time and part-time employees.
• The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave.
• Discounts available at our employee café and onsite florists.

Don't meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply – your unique strengths might be just what we need.

We care for our colleagues and the community we serve. To protect one another it is a requirement that all successful candidates complete background checks.

If you have any access requirements which restrict you from fully participating in our recruitment process, please contact so that we can discuss necessary adjustments.

We're reviewing applications as they come in and may remove this ad early once the position is filled, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. For more information on Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, please visit our website:

SMCT is an equal opportunity employer and a Diversity Council Australia Member.