• Opportunity to work at Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE), a national not-for-profit organisation that supports the adoption and impact of place-based approaches across Australia
• Join at an exciting time, as the PLACE team builds its foundational team during its establishment phase, in preparation for its first steps of growth as a new organisation.
• $130,000 - $165,000 (FTE) per annum excluding superannuation.
• Full time (1.0) fixed-term position
• Flexible national location, with hybrid conditions - available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney or regional Australia.
• The successful candidate will undertake domestic travel regularly as part of this role.

The Director of the Strengthen Data Function will lead PLACE’s efforts to build data governance and capability across place-based initiatives. This function is critical to ensuring local communities and initiatives can leverage data effectively to drive evidence-based decision-making and positive outcomes.

The Director will oversee the implementation of data governance strategies, provide expert guidance, and build partnerships to address systemic challenges related to data access, sharing, and utilisation. This role is vital to enabling communities to use data to its full potential while adhering to ethical standards and governance protocols.

As a member of PLACE’s executive leadership team, the Director, Strengthen Data will play a critical role in shaping the organisation’s direction, fostering collaboration across functions, and contributing to key strategic decisions. During PLACE’s establishment phase, this role will provide leadership and guidance to ensure the organisation’s foundational structures, strategies, and partnerships are effectively established. This includes working closely with the CEO, Board, and other executive leaders to embed PLACE’s values and operational excellence across all areas of the organisation.

Who you are (selection criteria):

• You hold relevant tertiary qualifications in data science, public policy, information governance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• You can demonstrate proven leadership experience in data governance, capability building, or a related field, preferably in a community-focused or place-based context.
• You have a deep understanding of data policy environments, Indigenous data sovereignty, and ethical considerations in data use.
• Strong project management skills are a key strength of yours, and you have a track record of delivering complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• You can demonstrate an ability to build partnerships and navigate systemic barriers related to data access and sharing.
• You possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• You are comfortable in a start-up environment; you manage multiple competing priorities with a proactive and adaptable approach.
• You align with PLACE’s vision, values, and principles.

Research indicates that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalised individuals often wait until they fulfil every requirement. If you believe you have the attributes to do the job but don't match every point on the job ad, we welcome and encourage your application.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the Strengthen Data Function, ensuring alignment with PLACE’s strategic priorities.
• Provide visionary leadership to a team of data specialists, analysts, and coaches to deliver high-impact outcomes for place-based initiatives.
• Build the capability of place-based initiatives to embed data into planning, strategy, and operations.
• Represent PLACE in high-level discussions to advocate for systemic changes that enhance data-sharing environments.
• Ensure the Strengthen Data Function delivers measurable outcomes, including increased data literacy, governance maturity, and evidence-based decision-making in Australia’s place-based ecosystem.
• Lead efforts to address shared data challenges within the ecosystem through innovation labs, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving.

Please see the Director, Strengthen Data Job Description for more.

Who we are:

Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) is a not-for-profit organisation, committed to collaborative, community-driven approaches to create impactful and lasting change.

It is our vision to enable communities and governments to jointly decide on matters that are most important to our lives. We lead national initiatives to develop workforce strategies, enhance place-based practices and improve data monitoring and evaluation.

At PLACE, we are dedicated to creating lasting change through understanding, action and empowered governance.

What we offer:

• True flexibility and a strong focus on agility in the workplace; we prioritise making flexible work arrangements possible for all employees.
• Access to $15,900 in salary packaging through Fringe Benefits Tax options.
• A team of supportive and passionate people committed to maintaining a positive workplace culture and making an impact.
• 5 weeks of Annual Leave for every 12 months of employment.
• Two days volunteering leave for every 12 months of employment.
• A leadership team that truly wants you to flourish and make your mark on the organisation.
• A workplace that prioritises both diversity and inclusion, allowing everyone to bring their authentic selves to work in an environment that ensures psychological and physical safety.
• Hybrid work environment and flexible working arrangements (the opportunity to work where you live).
• Cultural and Ceremonial leave.
• A Learning and Development budget per employee, prioritising professional development for our employees.

How to apply:

To express your interest, submit an online application through this portal and include a professional resume. All applicants must also provide brief responses to the application questions that are included as part of the online application.

Note: we do not accept cover letters as part of our application process.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, so don’t delay your application.

If you require additional adjustments, or would like to discuss any access needs as a part of the application and recruitment process, then please contact us via email [email protected] using the subject line: Director - Strengthen Data - Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

PLACE is an equal opportunity employer and strives to maintain a workplace environment that is fair and free of discrimination, is safe and accessible for all employees, and provides working arrangements that accommodate the diverse needs of our staff. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and people of every ethnicity, faith, ability, culture, language, gender identity, age, and sex.

Employment in this position is conditional upon reception and maintenance of a Working With Children Check.

As part of our employment screening process, we do run police checks. But don’t worry—having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you.