Applications close at 11:30pm AEDT Sunday 01 November 2026

The Opportunities The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking experienced and motivated leaders to fill a number of Director vacancies within the Diplomatic Security Division (DSD). These Canberra-based roles offer an opportunity to lead critical operational security and security infrastructure functions.

DSD is responsible for protecting the department’s people, information and resources from security threats in Australia and overseas. The Division delivers protective security outcomes through operational, physical, technical and personnel security functions, supported by governance, risk management, threat analysis, infrastructure, policy and business services.

Directors within DSD provide strategic leadership across complex programs, operational functions, and specialist security capabilities. They are responsible for delivering outcomes of strategic, operational and organisational significance, leading multidisciplinary teams, and providing trusted advice to senior decision-makers.

The current vacancies lead the delivery of operational security advice, security infrastructure and capability programs risk management, assurance and specialist security services that support DFAT's domestic operations and global network. Directors are expected to manage competing priorities, respond to emerging security challenges and deliver practical, risk-based security outcomes in support of departmental priorities.

Director roles across DSD may also lead specialist functions spanning technical and physical security, personnel security, security risk and governance, investigations and assessments, threat analysis, policy development, and business services. Across these portfolios, Directors are expected to provide strategic direction, manage sensitive and complex issues, build capability, and deliver practical security outcomes that protect DFAT’s people, information, assets and operations.

Future opportunities may include leadership of operational and technical security functions, risk and governance activities, investigations and assessments, and security policy development.

These roles provide an opportunity to shape strategic direction, lead high-performing teams, influence organisational outcomes, and deliver security services that enable DFAT's domestic and international operations.

The vacancies to be filled from this process are based in Canberra.

Our Ideal Candidates





We are looking for accomplished leaders who can provide strategic direction, deliver results through others, and lead high-performing teams in complex and dynamic operating environments.

Our ideal candidates will have skills and experience in the following areas:

Strategic Leadership and Delivery

- provide strategic leadership and set direction in complex operating environments
- translate organisational priorities into practical outcomes and deliver results through effective planning, resource management and governance
- lead organisational improvement and manage competing priorities to achieve outcomes of strategic significance.

Operational and Physical Security Expertise

- demonstrate experience in protective security, technical security, risk management, intelligence, personnel security (including investigations and clearances) or related fields
- demonstrate an understanding of Australian Government protective security requirements, including but not limited to the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) and the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) or the ability to rapidly acquire and apply this knowledge
- experience delivering or managing teams responsible for high-impact security infrastructure projects
- provide practical, risk-informed advice and make sound decisions in complex operational environments
- apply specialist expertise and professional judgement to identify and manage emerging threats, vulnerabilities and security risks
- balance operational requirements, stakeholder needs and security obligations to achieve organisational outcomes.

Risk, Governance and Decision Making

- exercise sound judgement and resilience when managing sensitive, complex or high-profile issues
- identify, assess and manage risk, apply appropriate governance frameworks and ensure accountability for outcomes
- respond effectively to emerging issues and changing operational circumstances.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

- communicate with influence and provide clear, authoritative advice to senior executives and governance bodies
- build and sustain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders




- represent the department effectively in complex negotiations, forums and stakeholder engagements
- exercise a strong client focus while balancing operational requirements, risk and organisational priorities.

People Leadership and Culture

- lead, develop and support high-performing teams
- foster a positive, inclusive and accountable workplace culture
- build organisational capability and guide teams through change while maintaining a robust focus on wellbeing, performance and service delivery.

All employees of the department are expected to abide by the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.

The key duties of the position include:

Your duties and responsibilities will be aligned to the relevant APS Work Level Standards.

Your key duties will include:

- lead a diverse team of APS staff and contractors and provide strategic direction across a complex program, function or capability
- provide authoritative advice to senior executives on complex, sensitive or high-risk matters
- lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of policies, services, programs or operational activities
- oversee the identification, assessment and management of security risks and ensure appropriate governance, assurance and compliance arrangements are in place
- manage security incidents, emerging threats and changing operational environments through the application of sound judgement and risk-informed decision making
- build and maintain effective relationships across government, industry and international stakeholder groups
- represent the department in forums, committees and negotiations on complex or sensitive issues
- lead the delivery of operational security or corporate outcomes that support DFAT's domestic and international priorities
- manage resources, budgets, contracts and workforce requirements to achieve organisational objectives
- promote innovation, continuous improvement and a strong security and risk culture
- develop organisational capability through effective leadership, workforce planning and performance management.

Eligibility

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS), unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise in writing.

Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People or Children registration, or equivalent.

📌 Director, Diplomatic Security Division (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Department Of Foreign Affairs u0026 Trade
📍 Canberra