Justine Saunders
CURTIN,ACT
Summary
As a highly motivated public sector leader, with a rich background in enforcement and public service roles, I am driven by the tangible impact I can make on the lives of Australians. With a strong reputation for steering high-risk, complex and varied national and international initiatives, I bring a wealth of experience to operational, capability, and policy challenges. My values based leadership is characterized by sound judgment, transparency and openness and a commitment to delivering outcomes through building trust and demonstrating integrity, and accountability.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer (SES 3)
Department of Home Affairs
12.2021 - Current
- Led the delivery of corporate and assurance services for the Department and ABF, managing a budget of $3.8 billion (departmental) and $3.5 billion (administered)
- Shaped and influenced APS reform agenda, and stewarded these changes internally including the future of work agenda, a new enterprise agreement and shared services.
- Shaped and led a cultural uplift aimed at improved workforce attraction and retention.
- Oversaw corrective actions to remedy operating model and structural issues.
- Provided organizational leadership and collaborated with the senior leadership team to establish long-term goals, strategies and policies.
Acting Coordinator General (Agency Head)
National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
07.2022 - 10.2022
- Oversaw NRRA's integration with Emergency Management Australia (EMA) to form NEMA
- Led the development of the agency's first budget, including a number of agreed new policy proposals, aligned with the Government's vision and the new agency's strategic direction and priorities
- Undertook significant outreach to build collaborative relationships with government, research bodies and industry stakeholders to inform and guide integration across the sector
Deputy Secretary COVID-19 Border Measures (SES 3)
Department of Home Affairs
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Established and led the Department/ABF strategy for the safe management and reopening of the international border during COVID
- Shaped and influenced Government policy direction on national border management strategies in response to a rapidly changing COVID environment
- Developed and implemented innovative border compliance measures including the digital passenger card, travel exemption and vaccination verification policies
Deputy Commissioner (SES 3) and Acting Commissioner (Agency Head)
Australian Border Force
10.2018 - 07.2021
- Provided strategic direction across all ABF operational activities, including the COVID response and the unprecedented closure of the international border
- Strategy development and delivery through strategic collaboration with Commonwealth, State and industry partners
- Routine engagement and problem solving with the Minister for Home Affairs regarding strategic policy, operations, and media issues
- Drove cultural change, innovation, and efficiencies through a new operating model to position the ABF for future challenges.
Chief Police Officer, ACT
Australian Federal Police
11.2016 - 10.2018
- Delivered enforcement outcomes while driving a new policing services model underpinned by significant cultural and capability reforms
- Developed and implemented holistic policy, legislative and operational solutions through effective co-design with Government partners and the community, in particular First Nations people
- Led a workforce of 850 staff and managed shared services delivered by the national arm of the Australian Federal Police
- Actively contributed to the national law enforcement agenda as a representative on Commissioner level Boards.
- Routine local and national media engagement
Deputy Commissioner Operations (SES 3)
Australian Federal Police
07.2016 - 11.2016
- Delivered operational outcomes through strategic leadership and quality assurance across a range of enforcement functions at a national and international level.
- Responded to changing risks and threats, leading the AFP’s support to national security strategies and capability development
- Provided active leadership and support to the AFP’s cultural reform agenda.
Chief of Staff and National Manager Policy and Governance (SES 2)
Australian Federal Police
10.2012 - 06.2016
- Developed enterprise-level new policy proposals, oversaw and delivered corporate communications strategies, and performance analysis
- Managed strategic relationships with key Commonwealth government stakeholders and international partners including the Five Eyes community
- Routine representation of the Commissioner in a range of external fora.
- Led strategies aimed at enhancing gender diversity at senior levels.
SES 1 (Commander Roles) United Nations, Operations
Australian Federal Police
01.2005 - 01.2012
- Represented Australia’s interests in the United Nations, working multi-laterally on international peacekeeping issues including security sector reform, capacity building and rule of law measures
- Shaped and influenced the direction of UN peacekeeping through formal and informal mechanisms.
- Led national and international counter-terrorism operations and sensitive referral investigations
Education
Masters in Leadership and Management -
Charles Sturt University
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Policing Studies) with Distinction -
Charles Sturt University
Graduate Certificate in Applied Management -
Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM)
Senior Executives in National and International Security -
Harvard Kennedy School
Graduate
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Skills
- Over 18 years of experience as a senior executive, including Agency Head in the Commonwealth
- Proven ability to establish effective relationships with the Government, aligning agency goals with government priorities
- Demonstrated capacity to lead international and national approaches to complex problems and deliver tangible results in diverse roles
- Inclusive leadership underpinned by values of integrity, fairness, trust and compassion
- Track record of delivering results and a genuine and positive difference
- Deep experience in driving cultural change and building workforce capability
- Accomplished communicator adept at building alliances and partnerships, fostering common goals and outcomes
- Extensive experience in the Commonwealth parliamentary, political, and public service requirements
Board & Community Engagement
- Deputy Chair, Board Member, Menslink, 2016 - current
- Patron, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service, 2018 - current
- Director, Board Member, Police Bank, 2021 -current
- Chair, Women in Law Enforcement Strategy, 2016 to 2021
- Advisory Board Member, FORTEM, 2019 to 2021
References
- Alison Frame, Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs, 0436425389
- Michael Outram APM, Commissioner Australian Border Force, 02 6264 2820
- Professor Paul Kelly, Commonwealth Medical Officer, 0408 453 325
Timeline
Acting Coordinator General (Agency Head)
National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
07.2022 - 10.2022
Chief Operating Officer (SES 3)
Department of Home Affairs
12.2021 - Current
Deputy Secretary COVID-19 Border Measures (SES 3)
Department of Home Affairs
07.2021 - 12.2021
Deputy Commissioner (SES 3) and Acting Commissioner (Agency Head)
Australian Border Force
10.2018 - 07.2021
Chief Police Officer, ACT
Australian Federal Police
11.2016 - 10.2018
Deputy Commissioner Operations (SES 3)
Australian Federal Police
07.2016 - 11.2016
Chief of Staff and National Manager Policy and Governance (SES 2)
Australian Federal Police
10.2012 - 06.2016
SES 1 (Commander Roles) United Nations, Operations
Australian Federal Police
01.2005 - 01.2012
Masters in Leadership and Management -
Charles Sturt University
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Policing Studies) with Distinction -
Charles Sturt University
Graduate Certificate in Applied Management -
Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM)
Senior Executives in National and International Security -
Harvard Kennedy School
Graduate
Australian Institute of Company Directors
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