Job role: Assistant Director, Quality and Risk
Company: Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
Location: Canberra, ACT or Armidale, NSW
Job Type: Full time
Applications close: Sunday, 5 July 2026
The APVMA seeks to appoint a high-impact risk and quality professional to a key leadership role within the Governance Risk and Assurance section. Leading the Quality and Risk team, you will drive enterprise risk management, quality management, legislative compliance and business continuity functions, while providing trusted advice to senior leadership on risk, quality and compliance matters. You will influence organisational outcomes, lead a capable team, and help strengthen frameworks, capability and culture to support sound decision-making, accountability and continuous improvement across the agency.
About APVMA
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is the independent statutory authority responsible for regulation of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals in Australia. Our purpose is to regulate agvet chemicals to protect the health and safety of people, animals and the environment, and to support primary industries, biosecurity and international trade for all Australians.
The Governance Risk and Assurance section plays a key role in building and operationalising strategies, frameworks and policies which support planning, governance, risk management, assurance and public transparency and accountability for the APVMA.
Key responsibilities
This position leads the Quality and Risk team within the section and is responsible for the effective delivery of enterprise risk management, quality management, legislative compliance and business continuity functions, ensuring they are delivered to a high standard and in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.
As a senior leader, the role provides authoritative advice and acts as a trusted adviser to the Director and Executive Team on risk, quality and compliance matters. It plays a key role in strengthening organisational capability, promoting a proactive and improvement-focused culture, and embedding fit-for-purpose plans, frameworks, policies and procedures that support effective decision-making and delivery.
The role leads, develops and manages a small high-performing team, drives innovation and continuous improvement in the delivery of the team’s functions, and builds productive internal and external stakeholder relationships to achieve shared outcomes. It requires the ability to manage complex and sensitive issues with discretion, professionalism and sound judgment, and to support the agency’s aspiration to be an exemplar of good governance within the Commonwealth public sector.
This non-ongoing position is being recruited to provide parental leave cover for a period of approximately 15 months.
About You (Skills and Experience):
You are an experienced professional with a strong background in enterprise risk management, quality management, legislative compliance and/or related functions. You bring sound subject matter expertise, are comfortable operating in complex environments, and can translate strategy, policy and legislative requirements into practical frameworks, advice and outcomes.
You are a capable and credible people leader who develops high-performing teams, sets clear direction and enables staff to deliver high-quality outcomes. You thrive in fast-paced environments, manage competing priorities effectively, and bring strong organisational skills, initiative and attention to detail to your work.
You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong research, analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and a proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues, senior management and key external stakeholders.
Experience in the public sector and/or regulatory environments, along with relevant tertiary qualifications in risk management, quality management, governance, business or a related field, will be highly regarded.
How to apply
Further information about the role and how to apply is available at: www.apvma.gov.au/careers