Senior Governance Program Manager

Working at Atlassian

Atlassians can choose where they work whether in an office, from home, or a combination of the two. That way, Atlassians have more control over supporting their family, personal goals, and other priorities. We can hire people in any country where we have a legal entity. Interviews and onboarding are conducted virtually, a part of being a distributed-first company.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Governance Program Manager to lead and enhance our governance frameworks and processes. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in establishing effective steering committees, documenting roles and responsibilities, managing policy lifecycles, and implementing policy exception management workflows. This role is critical in defining key performance indicators (KPIs), gathering and analyzing data, and reporting on policy performance to leadership. Additionally, the candidate will have significant exposure to cloud, AI, and emerging technology architecture, with a focus on establishing relevant policies and standards.

• Steering Committee Establishment:
  
  
  • Lead the formation and execution of steering committee structures to ensure strategic alignment and governance oversight.
  • Facilitate regular meetings and communications with committee members to drive governance initiatives.
• Roles & Responsibilities / RACI Documentation:
  
  
  • Develop and document clear roles and responsibilities using RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) matrices to ensure accountability and clarity in governance processes.
  • Ensure alignment of roles with organizational goals and governance objectives.
• Policy Lifecycle Management:
  
  
  • Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of policies, from development and approval to implementation and review.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure policies are up-to-date, relevant, and compliant with current regulations and best practices.
• Policy Exception Management Workflow:
  
  
  • Design and implement a robust policy exception management workflow to handle deviations effectively.
  • Ensure exceptions are documented, reviewed, and approved in a timely manner, with appropriate risk assessments conducted.
• Defining KPIs and Metrics:
  
  
  • Identify and define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of governance policies and programs.
  • Develop dashboards and reporting tools to track and communicate performance metrics.
• Data Gathering, Analysis, and Reporting:
  
  
  • Collect and analyze data related to policy adherence and governance program performance.
  • Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for leadership, highlighting insights, trends, and areas for improvement.
• Leadership and Collaboration:
  
  
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, compliance, IT, and operations, to align governance initiatives with business objectives.
  • Act as a governance advisor to leadership, providing expert guidance on best practices and emerging trends.

• Cloud, AI, and Emerging Technology Architecture:
  
  
  • Lead efforts to establish governance policies and standards that address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.
  • Collaborate with technology teams to ensure that governance frameworks are integrated into the architecture of cloud and AI solutions.
  • Stay informed about emerging technology trends and their implications for governance and policy standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Governance, or a related field. A Master's degree or relevant experience with certifications (e.g., PMP, CISM, CGEIT, AWS Certified Solutions Architect) are preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in governance program management or a related role, with a proven track record in establishing governance structures.
• Strong expertise in policy lifecycle management and the creation of RACI matrices.
• Experience in designing and implementing policy exception management workflows.
• Demonstrated exposure to cloud technologies, AI, and emerging technology architecture.
• Proficient in defining and analyzing KPIs and metrics, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership.