Chief Organisational and Cultural Governance Officer – Remote

CQID is experiencing organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.

CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Emerald, Longreach, Woorabinda, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay

A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.

Purpose of the Position

The Chief Organisational & Cultural Governance Officer ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural authority, knowledge, and governance guide every aspect of the organisation's strategy, operations, and service delivery. The role provides leadership across organisational governance, ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance while embedding cultural integrity, community self-determination, and ESG principles into governance structures, leadership, partnerships and evaluation.

Responsibilities and Duties

Operational & Cultural Governance

• Lead the implementation of governance frameworks that integrate statutory, regulatory, corporate, clinical, and cultural governance.
• Ensure organisational governance structures uphold compliance, accountability, and alignment with ESG principles while embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural authority.
• Advise governance processes across Board, oversee executive, and operational levels to ensure decisions reflect both organisational standards and cultural priorities.

Community Authority & Partnerships

• Partner with Elders, cultural leaders, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to ensure accountability to community.
• Embed mechanisms for consultation, co-design, and transparency across all governance processes.
• Facilitate cultural exchanges and collaborations that amplify Indigenous leadership nationally and internationally.

Workforce & Leadership Development

• Strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce pathways, leadership, and cultural capability across the organisation.
• Build organisational capacity through cultural capability training, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Partner with universities and training providers to support pathways into governance and leadership roles.

Systems & Integrity

• Ensure services, systems, and strategies are aligned with cultural values, protocols, and community priorities.
• Oversee organisational systems (HR, finance, IT, risk, and policy) to ensure integration of cultural values and organisational compliance.
• Embed Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles, ensuring research, evaluation, and reporting reflect Indigenous control.

Representation & Advocacy

• Represent the organisation nationally and internationally on governance, ESG, and First Nations leadership.
• Position the organisation as a leader in integrating organisational governance and cultural governance as a model for sector-wide reform.

Performance Metrics and Success Indicators

• Achievement of integrated governance implementation across statutory, corporate, clinical, and cultural frameworks.
• Compliance with all regulatory, statutory, and ESG obligations, with measurable improvements in governance performance.
• External recognition and influence through national and international representation, thought leadership, and the organisation being modelled as a best-practice example.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in Governance, Business Administration, Law, Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Extensive executive-level experience in governance, leadership, and organisational management.
• Strong knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, community governance, and Indigenous-led models of decision-making.
• Demonstrated expertise in corporate and statutory governance frameworks, including compliance with ASIC, ACNC, ORIC, and relevant regulatory bodies.
• Familiarity with ESG, risk management, and data sovereignty frameworks in an Australian context.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in governance at Board, CEO, or executive level, with a proven ability to integrate statutory and cultural governance.
• Deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural authority, protocols, and community accountability frameworks.
• Strong record of working with ACCOs, Elders, and First Nations leaders to embed self-determination and community-led governance.
• Proven ability to manage organisational systems (HR, finance, risk, IT) with compliance and integrity while embedding cultural values.
• High-level experience in ESG governance, risk oversight, and policy development.
• Strong advocacy and representation skills, with the ability to influence government, corporate, philanthropic, and international stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with experience negotiating and sustaining high-value partnerships.

Desirable

• Experience in Indigenous Data Sovereignty, research governance, or ethical evaluation practices.
• Knowledge of mergers, acquisitions, or enterprise development within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts.
• Track record of representing organisations at national or international forums on governance, Indigenous leadership, or ESG.