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CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Work for Australia’s National Science Agency
• Strategically support CSIRO’s Board and Board Committees
• Provide strategic advice to CSIRO’s Board, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team

About CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is one of the largest and most multidisciplinary, mission-driven, research and development organisations in the world.  Focused on creating a better future for Australia, we are a statutory corporation within the Australian Government’s Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) portfolio and are committed to solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We’re the people behind Wi-Fi, soft contact lenses and the Hendra virus vaccine, and we’re Australia’s leading patent holder. We are also highly connected, working with universities, governments, Australian and international businesses of all sizes across all major industries, and with communities around the country. With more than 6,000 staff, we deliver around $10.2 billion of annual benefit to the nation through our science, advancing Australia’s national prosperity, as well as creating environmental and social benefits.

The Role

Reporting to CSIRO’s inaugural Chief Legal Officer, we are seeking a Corporate Secretary who will hold the critical role of supporting the efficient functioning of CSIRO’s Board and Board Committees, and the administration of CSIRO’s corporate governance framework, to ensure that CSIRO delivers its strategic goals in line with its legislative responsibilities.

The Corporate Secretary will provide valuable support, high-quality strategic advice and relevant documentation to CSIRO’s Board, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, ensuring the highest standards of professional integrity are maintained and risks are averted. Concurrently, the Corporate Secretary will be a liaison between CSIRO, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and the Minister’s Office.

Further responsibilities include:

• Advising the Board and Committees on relevant legal, legislative and regulatory requirements (including the SIR Act and PGPA Act).
• Ensuring the Board and Committees have the relevant information (gleaned internally and externally) and relevant documentation, to support robust and informed decision making.
• Advising and coaching CSIRO’s leaders on effective Board communication, written and verbal.
• Working closely with relevant Department officers (including the Secretary) and the Minister’s Office on Board succession and appointments.
• Efficiently managing Board correspondence and communication, Board processes (such as Board and Committee papers) and the circulation of agendas, minutes, discussion papers and proposals for the Board and its Committees.

Location:        Consideration will be given for all of CSIRO’s major city sites
Salary:            Attractive salary package + 15.4% superannuation, negotiable for the right candidate
Tenure:           Specified Term of 5 years - Full-time

About You

We are seeking a highly motivated, commercially astute and strategic Corporate Secretary who will make this role their own and how has:

• A minimum of ten years’ experience, in corporate / commercial law, including significant experience in private law firm, in-house and/or government legal roles.
• Significant demonstrated experience as a Board / Corporate Secretary with experience working directly with Board and “C-Suite” in a corporate or government organisation.
• Experience working in a national, multi-disciplinary, multi-site organisation will be held in high regard.
• Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and communication skills with a proven ability to form and maintain relationships with a senior level cohort of stakeholders. (Experience interacting with Departments and the Minister’s office will be held in high regard).
• Experience, confidence and diplomacy to guide, and push back on, Board and Chief Executive.
• Experience identifying and undertaking business process improvements.
• The ability to understand relevant legislative requirements (equivalent to the SIR Act and PGPA Act for CSIRO).
• A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, which is appropriate to the classification and duties of the role.
• Values aligned to those at CSIRO CSIRO values - CSIRO

For a detailed overview of the role and responsibilities, please view the position description here:

Eligibility

Applications are open to Australian Citizens only.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a National Police Clearance or equivalent as well as an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance (and other potential background checks).

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Work life balance

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply on-line with a cover letter or executive summary (of no more than 2 pages long) accompanied with your CV, both of which outline your motivations for applying and your key skills and experience to enable you to meet the requirements of this role. Note, you do not need to specifically address the selection criteria in your application.  

Applications close

11:59pm Sunday 14th July 2024 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

We encourage early applications as late applications will not be accepted.