Position Description

Director, Strengthen Data

Role Specifics

Direct reports | 4

Reports to | Chief Executive Officer

FTE | 1.0 (Full-Time)

Location | Flexible - PLACE functions as a remote/hybrid workforce

PLACE Level | 4

Salary Range | $130,000 - $165,000 + superannuation

Role Summary

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 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.

Areas of Responsibility

1. Leadership and Strategy

  • 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.

  • Establish and oversee the implementation of good practice data governance frameworks, including Indigenous data sovereignty protocols.

  • Actively contribute to PLACE’s executive leadership team, providing strategic advice and input on PLACE’s growth and development as a newly established organisation.

  • Support the CEO in establishing PLACE’s credibility, reputation, and influence during its foundational phase.

2. Data Governance and Capability

  • Build the capability of place-based initiatives to embed data into planning, strategy, and operations.

  • Provide guidance on developing and implementing data governance policies and processes that ensure ethical use, security, and accessibility of data.

  • Collaborate with place-based teams to assess situational data needs and identify tailored solutions, including data access pathways and technical tools.

3. Partnerships and Collaboration

  • Develop and manage partnerships with data experts, custodians, technology providers, and other stakeholders.

  • Represent PLACE in high-level discussions to advocate for systemic changes that enhance data-sharing environments.

  • Foster collaborative relationships that bridge place-based initiatives with the broader ecosystem of data services and support.

4. Operational Oversight

  • Ensure the Strengthen Data function delivers measurable outcomes, including increased data literacy, governance maturity, and evidence-based decision-making.

  • Collaborate with PLACE’s Learn and Share function to codify guidance and frameworks for broader dissemination.

  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of PLACE’s data governance and capability-building efforts, ensuring continuous improvement.

5. Innovation and Influencing

  • Lead efforts to address shared data challenges within the ecosystem through innovation labs, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving.

  • Promote the importance of data governance and capability as a foundation for place-based change.