Deputy CEO, Intelligence in Brisbane

Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre – Brisbane QLD

AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence agency and AML/CTF regulator, is strengthening its intelligence capability to stay ahead of evolving threats and criminal exploitation of the financial system. We are seeking an exceptional senior executive to join our Executive Leadership Group as Deputy CEO, Intelligence, providing strategic leadership and stewardship of AUSTRAC’s enterprise intelligence function. This is a rare opportunity to shape Australia’s financial intelligence capability at a national level and lead intelligence-driven regulation and operations that protect the Australian community from serious and organised crime, money laundering and terrorism financing.

In this role, you will play a critical part in setting AUSTRAC’s strategic direction, driving organisational performance and transformation, and strengthening partnerships across the National Intelligence Community, law enforcement, government and the private sector.

The role

As Deputy CEO, Intelligence, you will:

• provide strategic leadership and enterprise stewardship of AUSTRAC’s intelligence capability
• establish and lead the Intelligence Division, embedding intelligence-led regulation across the agency
• ensure intelligence capabilities, governance, systems and workforce are aligned to national priorities, emerging threats and risk-based harm reduction outcomes
• contribute as a member of the Executive Leadership Group to whole-of-agency strategy, governance and performance
• provide authoritative advice to the CEO, Ministers, executives and governance committees on intelligence priorities, risks and emerging threats
• represent AUSTRAC across the National Intelligence Community and in domestic and international forums

You will operate in a highly complex, high-trust national security environment and are expected to model the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours and the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and ethical leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead AUSTRAC’s Intelligence Division, directing effort to the highest risk and harm priorities informed by National Risk Assessments and whole-of-government intelligence priorities.
• Exercise enterprise-wide stewardship of financial intelligence, ensuring coherence, integration and fitness-for-purpose across the organisation.
• Oversee delivery of priority intelligence programs and products that inform operational, regulatory and policy decisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement, national security, international and private sector partners.
• Drive a high-performing, inclusive and resilient workforce capable of delivering complex intelligence outcomes.
• Support the CEO in the role of Head of a National Security Agency.

While the role may be based in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, the successful candidate will be required to travel as needed to meet operational, security and leadership responsibilities.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for an accomplished senior executive with:

• Intelligence leadership, governance and stewardship
• Demonstrated executive-level leadership in intelligence governance, coordination and ethical use of intelligence in complex environments.
• Deep understanding of the financial intelligence lifecycle and how intelligence informs operational, regulatory and strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to exercise enterprise stewardship across organisational and partner boundaries.
• Partnerships and influence
• Extensive experience leading and influencing across the National Intelligence Community, law enforcement and regulatory partners.
• A strong track record representing organisations in national and international intelligence forums and multi-agency environments.
• The ability to build trusted, high-impact relationships that enable intelligence sharing and collective outcomes.

Core capabilities

• Strategic thinking and future-focused capability development
• Delivery of outcomes in complex, high-risk environments
• Clear, authoritative communication with senior leaders and Ministers
• Strong judgement, influence and stakeholder management
• A collaborative, inclusive and values-driven leadership style

Eligibility

To be eligible for this role, you must:

• be an Australian citizen at the time of application
• be willing to undertake AUSTRAC’s pre-engagement checks
• be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Positive Vetting security clearance.

Why AUSTRAC?

• Mission driven: Make a real impact protecting Australia from serious and organised crime, money laundering and terrorism financing.
• National leadership: Shape Australia’s financial intelligence capability and influence outcomes across government and the intelligence community.
• Employer of Choice: AUSTRAC is recognised as one of Australia’s best employers, with a strong, values-driven culture focused on performance, integrity and inclusion.
• Diversity and inclusion: We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive leadership cohort.

Applications close on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 11.30pm AEDT. To apply, please submit your CV together with a suitability statement via the AUSTRAC job listing.