Senior Quality, Governance and Risk Officer – Expression of Interest

Who we are

NORSTA Northeast – located in Cairns – is a wholly owned subsidiary of NORSTA Maritime Pty Ltd, an Australian company. NORSTA operates in North-Eastern Australia and Northern Australia as the Royal Australian Navy’s Regional Maintenance Provider (RMP). Our mission is to provide essential maintenance and sustainment services for naval vessels in the region.

About You (Based in Cairns)

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Quality, Governance and Risk Officer to lead the delivery of quality, governance, risk and compliance functions under the RMP-NE contract. This role is critical to ensuring NORSTA’s Integrated Management System remains effective, compliant and continuously improving in line with ISO standards and contractual obligations.

To be successful, you will bring strong experience in managing integrated management systems within a complex, regulated environment. You will build trusted relationships across the business, providing expert guidance to operational teams while maintaining independence and integrity in oversight. Your ability to influence, analyse and drive improvements across quality, governance and risk will be central to success in this role.

Our ideal candidate is highly organised, analytical and self-driven, with excellent communication skills and the ability to operate effectively across multiple stakeholders in a dynamic operational environment. They will have keen interest in analysing risk and applying frameworks to complex real world operations.

About The Role:

• Lead and manage the delivery of Quality, Governance, Risk and Compliance functions across the RMP-NE contract
• Maintain and continuously improve NORSTA’s Integrated Management System, ensuring alignment with ISO standards (ISO 9001, 45001, 14001)
• Manage internal and external audit programs, including preparation for and maintenance of third-party certification
• Oversee and maintain the RMP-NE Risk Register and support operational risk assessments, including External Maintenance Period activities
• Ensure compliance with contractual, statutory and regulatory requirements across all operations
• Provide governance, risk and compliance advice to stakeholders across the business
• Report on quality, governance, risk and compliance performance to internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure all project and contract documentation is accurate, compliant, secure and appropriately managed
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across quality, governance and risk functions
• Support strong record management and documentation practices, including archiving requirements

Your Experience

• Demonstrated experience managing quality, governance, risk and compliance systems within a complex or regulated environment
• Proven experience maintaining ISO-certified Integrated Management Systems and leading audit programs
• Strong understanding of statutory and contractual compliance requirements
• High level analytical capability, with the ability to interpret data and provide meaningful reporting and insights
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and provide clear, practical guidance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentations
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes to time and quality standards
• Proven leadership capability, including the ability to guide and support teams and drive accountability

Your qualifications

• Degree qualification (AQF Level 7)
• Lead Auditor qualifications in ISO 9001, 45001 and 14001
• Construction White Card (essential) and ability to obtain Defence security clearance

NOTE: As a condition of this role, you must be able to obtain (and hold) Baseline Defence security clearance, which requires Australian Citizenship. A National Police Check will also be undertaken.

How to apply

Submit your current CV outlining your skills and professional experience, together with a cover letter that includes your contact details.

Due to the urgency of this recruitment, we will be interviewing candidates throughout the advertising period. As such, NORSTA Maritime reserves the right to appoint a candidate before the closing date.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information about this role, please email hr@norsta.com.au.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women and Defence Force Veterans. We recognise the unique contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring to our organization, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that honors and celebrates their cultures, histories, and knowledge.