Associate Director, Performance Audit

Are you ready for a career that creates meaningful impact? Here’s your opportunity to work for an organisation that informs and challenges government to improve outcomes for citizens.

Who we are?

For over 200 years, the Auditor-General has assisted the Parliament of New South Wales to hold government accountable for its use of public resources.

Recognised as a centre of excellence in professional services, the Audit Office of New South Wales is an independent integrity agency. We conduct financial and performance audits across a diverse range of portfolios such as health, education, transport, local government, environment, justice, community services, industry and more.

Our work is diverse, challenging and meaningful. Our people interact with diverse stakeholders regularly, and embrace opportunities to positively impact the lives of NSW citizens. A career at the Audit Office is more than you imagine.

We have a people-focused culture, supported by corporate values that encourage pride in purpose, curiosity and open-mindedness, courage and integrity. Our diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences help us deliver high standards of work that reflects the communities we operate in.

At the Audit Office, you won’t just fit in. You’ll belong.

How will you contribute?

Joining the Audit Office means being part of a team dedicated to excellence, integrity, and making a tangible difference for the people of NSW.

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Performance Audit. In this role you will lead a team to deliver high-quality performance audits within defined time frames and budget. You will contribute to the delivery of the Audit Office vision, mission, values, goals and strategies. You will provide high-level professional advice to the Director, Performance Audit on all relevant matters relating to the assigned audits.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Maintain strong and professional relationships with auditees and stakeholders, and proactively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Financial Audit staff to help identify risks and challenges facing agencies, in order to deliver greater value for parliament, clients and citizens.
• Provide sound and well-reasoned analysis to support insights and proposed recommendations that are salient, practical and cost-effective.
• Develop insightful reports that address objectives and criteria with findings and conclusions that are supported by appropriate and well-presented evidence.
• Ensure the required quality of all Audit Team work as specified by the Audit Office’s audit methodology, professional standards and legislation is achieved.
• Effectively manage the performance and development of knowledge, skills and experience of Audit Team staff through mentoring and coaching, while also continuing to build on personal competency, knowledge and technical proficiency
• Identify issues which have the potential to adversely affect outcomes and timeframes and inform the Director, Performance Audit.
• Source and manage subject matter expert advice as needed.
• Contribute to the successful development and delivery of Performance Audit Branch objectives, including improvements in methodology, project management, knowledge sharing and delivery of performance audits.
• Maintain good knowledge of key policy and risk areas for the public sector to assist in contributing to a forward program of work for Performance Audit.
• Ensure compliance with the Audit Office Code of Conduct and all other internal policies, business rules and procedures including records management and workplace health and safety policies.

What will you learn?

We will challenge and develop you, encourage your curiosity, open-mindedness and courage. A bird’s eye view of the whole state government is on offer, a unique opportunity that few professionals are exposed to.

Our audits are purposeful and are determined each year to reflect the contemporary challenges that NSW faces, providing you with the opportunity to work on a variety of issues and challenges.

We value the growth and development of our people, with leaders who guide and mentor on your professional journey. With a focus on wellbeing, we support you to perform at your best and achieve meaningful outcomes in your role.

What will you need to succeed?

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director with excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and good professional judgement to solve or escalate problems. The ideal candidate will have an ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with senior management, employees and other key stakeholders.

You will also need:

• A tertiary qualification in an appropriate analytic discipline such as business, economics, social science or law.
• Proficient understanding and knowledge of relevant legislation, professional standards, evaluation, research and auditing concepts and techniques, government operations and public sector reforms.
• Sound experience in performance audit, policy analysis, research or program evaluation including ability to identify performance gaps and develop practical responses.
• To be an Australian permanent resident or citizen or New Zealand citizen.

What are the benefits?

We provide genuine flexibility in the way we work, along with competitive benefits. On offer is flexible work practices and a total remuneration package (including superannuation) ranging from $175,033 up to $210,448 per annum depending on experience, skills and capabilities.

The Audit Office is a rewarding, challenging and impactful place to work where we value diversity and take a collaborative approach to ‘getting things done’. Here you can have a rewarding career with purpose, and real work-life balance as well as unique opportunities for professional development and personal growth. You will work with friendly, talented colleagues to solve complex problems and work with high-profile clients.

The Audit Office is committed to supporting flexible working arrangements to create a diverse, skilled and motivated workforce capable of delivering quality products and efficient services. Our standard way of working requires you to work at least 50% of contracted hours from either our head office, an auditee location, or a related worksite. If required, you can balance your attendance on-site over a month, with a minimum of one day per week in one of these locations.

Please note some regional travel within New South Wales may be required for this role.

Get started.

Our diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences help us deliver high standards of work that reflects the communities we operate in. The Audit Office of New South Wales values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse groups. If you are excited about this opportunity but do not think you meet every requirement, or feel your experience does not align perfectly, we still want to hear from you.

For your application to be considered, you must include your resume, as well as a cover letter that addresses these two targeted questions:

• Describe a time when you used data, technology or other evidence to analyse a complex issue and support a recommendation or decision. How did you assess the reliability of the evidence, deal with uncertainty, and communicate your conclusions clearly? (300 words maximum).
• Describe a time when you helped a team or stakeholders adopt a new approach, improve work quality, or strengthen capability. How did you bring others with you, manage resistance or differing views, and what changed as a result? (300 words maximum)

As this role requires the successful candidate to demonstrate that they meet the capability to write and prepare material that is well structured and easy to follow, we strongly discourage reliance on tools such as ChatGPT for the preparation of cover letters or answers to targeted questions for this role.

If you are interested in making a positive difference to the people of NSW, click Apply Now.

To view a copy of the role description click into the Apply Now button.

Applications close midnight Monday 13 July 2026.

For an initial discussion about the role please contact Ben-Johan-Weiderman on 02 9275 7261 or [email protected]

For further information please contact [email protected] or visit www.audit.nsw.gov.au for more information about the Audit Office and the important work we do.