SES Band 2, First Assistant Secretary - Affmat Measures, Disability Employment

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) – Sydney NSW

We are looking for SES Band 2 leaders who can help shape DEWR's direction and position the department for what comes next.

At the SES Band 2, the leadership challenge extends beyond the success of an individual division or function. You will help the Secretary and Executive understand what is changing around us, make choices with long-term consequences, connect parts of the system that do not naturally connect and create coherence across a complex portfolio. Opportunities may arise across policy, programs, service delivery, employment and workforce services, skills and training, workplace relations, regulation, digital, data, transformation, corporate and enabling functions.

As a First Assistant Secretary, you will lead significant functions and people while contributing collectively to the strategy, governance, culture and stewardship of DEWR. Your success will not be measured only by the performance of your division. You will be expected to improve the performance and future capability of the department as a whole. You will operate across multiple frames of reference - government priorities, the department's strategic direction, the external environment, delivery realities and the needs of the systems and communities affected by our work. You will need to identify emerging patterns, risks and opportunities and translate them into consequential choices for senior decision-makers.

Strategic policy capability will be particularly important. We are looking for leaders who can frame complex and sometimes contested problems, integrate evidence and competing perspectives, understand whole-of-government and system implications, and provide authoritative advice on choices, trade-offs and consequences.

You will also be a steward of the organisation, building leadership depth and specialist capability, making difficult enterprise choices and ensuring DEWR is equipped to deliver not only today's priorities, but those that are still emerging.

Roles may be located in Canberra or other major capital cities. While some positions may have a preference for candidates based in Canberra due to business requirements, applications from candidates located in other Australian capital cities are encouraged and will be considered on merit.

The key duties of the position include:

As an SES leader, you will help shape policy, drive delivery and build organisational capability while contributing to DEWR's broader success. Key responsibilities include:

- See the system - and what is coming next.



Interpret the external setting, including economic, social, technological and whole-of-government developments. Identify patterns, dependencies and strategic risks and position DEWR for future requirements.
- Shape consequential policy and strategic choices. Frame complex issues for Ministers, the Secretary and Executive. Integrate evidence and diverse perspectives, develop credible alternatives, surface trade-offs and consequences, and provide authoritative advice where ambiguity, sensitivity or risk is high.
- Create coherence across complexity. Connect policy, delivery, regulation, people, resources, technology, data and partnerships so DEWR's effort is aligned around its mission and strategic objectives.
- Turn strategy into outcomes at scale. Build and lead a high-performing leadership cohort of SES and EL leaders to move major strategies and initiatives from intent to sustained execution. Balance resources and capability, establish accountability, manage strategic risk and maintain focus on public value and impact.
- Lead beyond organisational boundaries. Build coalitions across the APS and, where relevant, jurisdictions, industry, unions, employers, providers and communities. Influence at senior levels and create shared ownership of outcomes no single organisation can deliver alone.
- Drive system-level change to support Closing the Gap. Foster genuine partnerships with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations, embed First Nations perspectives in strategic decision‑making, and influence policy, program and organisational settings to improve outcomes and contribute to the priorities of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
- Lead transformation and adapt the organisation. Recognise when established models are no longer sufficient. Challenge assumptions, make difficult choices and create the conditions for innovation, learning and responsible experimentation while maintaining delivery.
- Build institutional capability. Strengthen leadership depth, succession and specialist capability. Use data, digital and emerging technology intelligently and ensure the organisation can adapt to changing expectations, opportunities and risks.
- Set the tone for enterprise leadership. Model integrity, courage, curiosity and inclusion. Invite dissenting views,



make difficult corporate decisions, create clarity through uncertainty and take collective responsibility for DEWR's strategy, culture, governance and stewardship.

Eligibility

Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.

This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Level 2 security clearance.

This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool. The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non‑ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months.

Notes

Qualifications and Education

We value diverse professional backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. There is no single pathway to success at the SES level.

Highly regarded candidates will bring a demonstrated track record of executive leadership, strategic judgement and delivery in complex environments. Relevant tertiary qualifications, professional accreditations, executive leadership development or specialist expertise may be advantageous depending on the role and function.

Getting to know the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)

We are the department that helps job seeking Australians find safe, secure, and well‑paid work while we ourselves strive to be a model employer. We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or retraining to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.Secure jobs are vital—driving future economic growth and providing people with the certainty. We focus on connecting Australians who are starting, advancing or changing their career with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to gain or regain employment.Our work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. It is our unique purpose to help people realise their potential and we want you to be part of it.Underpinning our important work is our focus on culture. We recognise that how we do things is equally important as what we achieve. Our workplace is one where different perspective are encouraged, people feel a sense of belonging and draw on the expertise of their peers. Our people demonstrate the APS Values, which includes being open, thoughtful, curious and candid. We also value employee wellbeing and developing leadership through investment in capability.

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📌 SES Band 2, First Assistant Secretary - Affirmative Measures, Disability Employment (Sydney)
🏢 Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
📍 Sydney