Senior Advisor, Trust Fund Governance

About Us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone’s experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government.  We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses.  We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

You can find out more about our Ministers, leadership and entities here: Department of Government Services. 

About the Group

The Consumer Affairs and Local Government (CALG) group is responsible for policy development; regulatory design and administration; system and program design; and the delivery of services in the best interest of Victorians. Spanning both the Consumer Affairs and Local Government portfolios, the group identifies strategic priorities, drives system and regulatory reform and coordinates DGS’ emergency management responsibilities to improve practical outcomes for the community.  

The purpose of this group is to make it easier for customers and businesses to engage with government. It is accountable for strategy and policy development, regulatory design, sector support and program design and the delivery of regulatory services to – and in the best interests of – Victorians. It aims to provide consistently great customer experiences in the delivery of scalable, efficient and effective services. Managing the delivery of services with a balance of expertise and speed, while driving the digital transformation of those services.  

About the Role

The Director, CAV is responsible for the administration of seven trust funds and statutory accounts on behalf of the Minister for Consumer Affairs. CAV holds over $2 billion in trust funds and accounts, most of which are held in investment portfolios, with the remainder retained in operating reserves.

Reporting to the Manager, Strategy, Resources and Governance, the Senior Advisor, Trust Fund Governance is responsible for activities that support the effective management and oversight of statutory Consumer Affairs trust funds that are governed through the Director, CAV; and the CAV Trust Fund Governance Committee. These activities include:

• Coordinating and preparing reports, presentations, and other meeting materials for the Trust Fund Governance Committee;
• Working with CAV and DGS Finance stakeholders and business partners to manage and obtain advice on trust fund investments;
• Liaising and negotiating with external partners, such as independent investment advisors and authorised deposit-taking institutions, to ensure obligations are upheld;
• Working with CAV stakeholders on activities such as procurement and contract management where required to support trust fund governance; and
• Developing and updating policies, procedures, and other materials to ensure effective governance of trust funds.

The role also provides assurance and audit support, such as managing attestations of compliance with Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic). Through these activities, the role ensures effective governance and oversight for decisions made relating to statutory trust funds within the Consumer Affairs portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

1. Rules, Guidelines and Frameworks: Makes decisions in situations where there is some, but not definitive, precedent about the application of an organisational framework.
2. Innovation and Originality: Solutions and thinking may advance organisational innovation or occupational/professional knowledge.
3. Communication: Negotiates with stakeholders, peers, industry bodies and other government agencies with the objective of gaining co-operation, influencing views and meeting timelines for delivery of project, service or advice.
4. Policy and Projects: Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and will contribute to the development of a set of final options for decision.
5. Knowledge and Proficiency: Provides leadership in the application of concepts to policy development.

Desirable requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications relating to commerce, business; law; or policy
• Prior experience managing statutory trust funds within government entities

For more information, please see the Position Description.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026. All applications should include:  

·       a resume; and  

·       a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.