AD, Data Governance

Date: 17 Oct 2025

Location: Sydney, Australia

Company: Singtel Group

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

The Associate Director, Data Governance and AI plays a pivotal role within the Networks' Systems and Architecture leadership team, leading initiatives in alignment with central data governance teams. This role focuses on enhancing data quality and driving data governance and best practices. Additionally, there is responsibility for the integration of the Networks data with application of AI technologies to optimise network operations, improve customer experience, and boost business efficiency

What You'll Do

• Ensure reducing risk through data governance enablers while improving data quality and usability for automation and AI implementation.
• Identification of critical data elements to prioritise work and access.
• Driving Networks data usability through an understanding of the use cases for Networks data, improving data quality and removing the barriers to using data effectively.
• Understand where data is coming from and how it is used.
• Collaborate with wider teams to champion AI adoption, ensuring implementation across planning, design, delivery, and operations to achieve TMF AN Level 4 maturity by FY27.
• Supervise Networks' data governance, including data glossary, data flows, origination, and maintenance, ensuring compliance with Optus' standards and legal, privacy, and risk requirements.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external business partners, including central data governance teams, IT, legal, and risk teams, to align strategies and initiatives with business priorities.
• Provide coaching and mentoring guidance and support to wider Networks teams, fostering a strong data governance, AI, and knowledge management culture across the organisation.

What makes you perfect for the role?

• Relevant qualifications and extensive hands-on data experience, with deep knowledge of data management, governance, knowledge management, and AI principles, particularly in the Telco industry.
• Demonstrated ability managing data initiatives across business units, embedding change within large, complex organisations.
• Exposure to Agile and Waterfall methodologies and working in Agile environments.
• Strong data analytics capabilities and advanced problem-solving skills to drive insights and automation.
• Outstanding communication skills tailored to different audiences, strong relationship-building and influencing abilities.
• Demonstrable experience in coaching, mentoring, and leading multidisciplinary teams through innovative change.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected' days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever's important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U's industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.
• Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying 'yes' to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email or call We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit