Head Of Quality And Compliance

Acknowledge Education is a leading training provider with campuses throughout Australia offering a variety of courses in a range of industries such as health, community services, social work, business, civilconstructionand hospitality. In our 139-year history in education, weremaintrue to our mission to stay a challenging,relevantand creative leader in the education industry
True to our name, we acknowledge and celebrate the unique aspirations and achievements of every student. From our roots as an English language school in Victoria,we've evolved into a national academic powerhouse, with campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane educating over 6,000 students every year.
We are looking for a
senior, systems-minded compliance leader
to take ownership of AE's risk and regulatory posture across our higher education and VET operations. You will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the AE Board and regulatory bodies including TEQSA and ASQA.
This is not just a compliance role. It's a
change leadership position
—designed for someone ready to lift capability, and lead AE into its next chapter of growth and integrity.
Regulatory Leadership
Lead and evolve AE's compliance frameworks to ensure alignment with TEQSA's Higher Education Standards Framework and ASQA's RTO Standards.
Oversee CRICOS, ESOS Act, and National Code compliance for international student operations.
Manage all regulatory submissions, self-assessments, and notifications of material change.
Act as AE's key liaison for audits, site visits, and inquiries.
Maintain AE's enterprise risk and compliance registers.
Advise the CEO and Board on regulatory risk exposure and strategic implications.
Ensure strong internal controls across academic, marketing, admissions, and student services.
Culture Building & Capability Uplift
Lead a cross-functional approach to compliance awareness, training, and accountability.
Embed a proactive, integrity-first culture across the organisation.
Partner with academic leaders to uplift governance and quality assurance.
Remediation & Crisis Response
Respond to compliance breaches, regulator notices, or whistleblower reports with discipline and transparency.
Drive effective remediation planning and evidence-based reporting.
Qualifications
Must Have:
7–10+ years of senior experience in regulatory compliance within Australian higher education or vocational education.
Expertise in TEQSA and ASQA frameworks, including experience managing audits or regulatory responses.
Strong understanding of CRICOS, ESOS Act, and the National Code.
Proven track record leading compliance transformations in complex, fast-changing environments.
Board-level communication and strategic stakeholder engagement skills.
Nice to Have:
Legal, governance, or regulatory qualifications.
Experience working in a private equity or regulatory recovery context.
Why Now? Why You?
This is a
rare, high-impact opportunity
for a seasoned compliance leader to:
Take the reins in a business poised for reform and growth
Build a contemporary, best-practice compliance culture from the inside out
Influence strategy at the executive and board level
Restore regulator trust and redefine AE's reputation for quality and integrity
Additional Information
Opportunities to grow within the organization
$1,500 professional development allowance
Incredibly committed and supportive team of student-centric professionals
Be part of a fast-growing organization working in an agile environment
Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we're attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.
We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.
Job Location
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