About the opportunities

We are looking for SES Band 1 leaders who can help shape DEWR's direction and position the department for what comes next.

Our work sits at the intersection of significant economic and social challenges - how people participate in work, how Australia builds the skills and workforce it needs, how workplaces remain fair and productive, and how government responds as technology, industries and expectations change. These challenges rarely sit neatly within one branch, profession or organisation. They require leaders who can see the bigger picture, make connections across systems, turn complexity into clear choices and bring people together around outcomes.

While current vacancies exist across several areas of the department, this process is designed to identify high-performing leaders who can apply their strategic judgement, leadership and expertise across different business areas and emerging opportunities.

As an Assistant Secretary, you will lead a significant area of DEWR's work. Opportunities may arise across policy, programs, service delivery, employment services, skills and training, workplace relations, regulation, digital, data, transformation, corporate and enabling functions. You will help shape strategic direction, provide high-quality advice to senior decision-makers and translate government and departmental priorities into meaningful outcomes.

You will need to understand the environment around your work, anticipate emerging issues and opportunities, and recognise when established approaches are no longer enough.

Some opportunities may be in specialist corporate functions supporting the department's external budget responsibilities. These roles involve working across the portfolio and with central agencies to shape budget proposals, drive organisational performance, provide strategic advice and contestability, and support sound management of public resources.

Strategic policy capability will be particularly important. We are interested in leaders who can identify the underlying policy or strategic question, bring evidence and different perspectives together, understand the broader system and whole-of-government context, and develop practical, credible solutions to complex problems.

As a member of DEWR's SES cohort,



you will also play an important stewardship role, building capability, developing future leaders and helping position the department to respond to challenges beyond today's priorities.

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.

As an SES Band 1 leader, you will help shape policy, drive delivery and build organisational capability while contributing to DEWR's broader success. Key responsibilities include:

- Shape direction, not simply respond to it. Understand the environment around your work, identify emerging issues and opportunities and develop a clear strategic direction that connects DEWR's priorities with broader government objectives.
- Bring strategic policy thinking to complex problems. Look beyond the presenting issue to understand underlying causes, connections and consequences. Draw together evidence, stakeholder perspectives, implementation experience and whole-of-government considerations to develop robust policy, strategy and advice.
- Frame choices and solutions. Turn complexity into clear and credible options. Surface trade-offs, risks and consequences, challenge assumptions where necessary, and provide frank, evidence-informed and impartial advice to senior executives, Ministers and government.
- Connect strategy with delivery. Ensure good ideas can work in practice. Bring policy, programs, services, regulation, people, resources, technology and data together as relevant, and maintain a explicit line of sight between strategic intent and outcomes for Australians.
- Advance outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities. Build genuine partnerships with First Nations stakeholders, incorporate First Nations perspectives into policy,



program and service design, and contribute to the department's commitment to Closing the Gap through culturally informed and evidence-based approaches.
- Lead beyond organisational boundaries. Build coalitions across DEWR, the APS and external organisations and communities. Navigate different perspectives and competing interests and use influence - not hierarchy alone - to create shared ownership of outcomes.
- Lead through uncertainty and change. Recognise when existing approaches need to change, make deliberate choices about priorities and resources, and create clarity and momentum when information is incomplete or the path forward is contested.
- Build capability for the future. Develop people and future leaders, strengthen professional and organisational capability, embrace opportunities presented by data and technology, and create inclusive environments where different perspectives improve decisions.
- Contribute as an enterprise leader. Take responsibility for the success of DEWR beyond your own branch. Contribute actively to departmental priorities, culture, governance and stewardship, and demonstrate the judgement, integrity and accountability expected of an APS senior executive.

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 minimum of a Baseline 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.

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.

📌 SES Band 1, Assistant Secretary - Affirmative Measures, Disability Employment (Australia)
🏢 DEWR
📍 Australia