We’re looking for an experienced senior executive to join the National Student Ombudsman as Senior Assistant Ombudsman.

Opening its doors in February 2025 and situated within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) provides an independent and impartial mechanism for students to escalate complaints about the actions of their higher education provider.

With approximately 60 staff across the country, the NSO delivers a range of dispute resolution functions to support effective complaints handing for individual disputes, including informal alternative dispute resolution, conciliation, restorative engagement and formal investigation. The NSO can also conduct own motion systemic investigations that have reach across the sector.

More information about the NSO can be found on our website.

About the role

If you’re passionate about improving the quality and safety of the student experience in Australia’s higher education sector and have strong complaints handling leadership experience, then this is the job for you!

The Senior Assistant Ombudsman is a critical leadership role within the National Student Ombudsman (NSO). As Senior Assistant Ombudsman you will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operational work of the service, managing a team of directors and providing high level strategic advice to the First Assistant Ombudsman and Ombudsman.

The Senior Assistant Ombudsman role requires a leader with a substantial record of achievement in front line service delivery and with a reputation for teamwork, innovation and strategic leadership. Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgement, strong stakeholder focus, exemplary integrity and ability to engender respect and trust are all essential.

Experience in senior roles within ombudsman or complaints handling services, public administration or higher education sector, is highly desirable.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a role at you must:

· Be an Australian citizen

· Have the ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance

· Undergo a pre-employment psychological assessment.

Please note: Some areas of the NSO’s work involve exposure to potentially distressing information and materials. It is important we are confident candidates will be able to engage with this work without experiencing harm to wellbeing.

This role can be based in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.

For more information and to apply please visit our careers site.