Securing Australia - protecting its people.

Job Vacancies

AEE2 Director, Public Engagement Capability

Job type: Business & Corporate Services

Location: Various

Category: Ongoing - Permanent

Job reference: 02520262027

$161,682 - $191,321

01-Nov-2026

The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things - they are our most important asset. To be successful, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient. We seek to reflect the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value. At a time when Australia's security environment is dynamic, diverse and degrading, our work is more key than ever. Join the mission and make a difference every day.

The opportunity

ASIO is seeking an experienced and exceptional person to fill the role of Director, Public Engagement Capability. Operating from within the Office of the Director-General of Security, this role acts as a trusted senior advisor, providing frank and fearless guidance to leaders navigating complex, politically sensitive, or high-scrutiny public environments. Under broad direction, the Director, Public Engagement Capability leads ASIO's public affairs and engagement capability framework. You will provide advice and support to the Director-General of Security,



their Deputies and Division Heads in the performance of their roles, helping to build and sustain public confidence, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, and protect the organisation's reputation. The advice you provide will cover emerging issues, stakeholder engagement, relationship management and reputational risk. This is aimed at helping ensure the organisation, through its senior leaders, communicates with clarity, credibility, and integrity while supporting ASIO's security intelligence outcomes. In this role you will design and deliver training and coaching support to Senior Leaders to enable their involvement in high-impact media conferences, senate estimates and other committee hearings, and strategic stakeholder presentations, including public speaking engagements. ASIO looks for candidates who are curious, resilient and enjoy problem solving. To be successful in this role, you will:

- - Lead and manage people: You will need to apply leadership in developing high-performing teams, fostering an inclusive culture, and developing staff capability both in your immediate area, and more broadly across the agency.
- - Coach with influence and political acumen: Including by providing real-time counsel to ASIO's most senior executive leadership and liaison teams during breaking media issues and crisis events.




- - Create high-impact message architectures: Engaging and collaborating across ASIO to distill complex legislation, data, operations and policy into defensible, public-facing narratives and crisis holding lines.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

Responsibilities

As the Director, Public Engagement Capability in ASIO, you will:

- - Uplift ASIO's senior executive leadership capability to communicate with influence.
- - Lead in the development and delivery of stakeholder engagement strategies.
- - Establish and manage a range of productive partnerships across domestic and international stakeholders.
- - Provide expert advice and recommendations to the Director-General of Security, their Deputies and Division Heads on their communication styles.
- - Develop and implement a coaching and training schedule for the Director-General of Security, their Deputies and Division Heads to uplift and enhance capability of their public communications.
- - Work in a fast-paced, agile environment, adapting quickly to changing priorities and deadlines while maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality, timely support and advice.

What you will bring

We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:

- - Promotes a security culture: Support staff to identify, assess and manage security and organisational risk including promoting and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace environment in which staff feel comfortable seeking support and raising concerns.
- - Strategic thinking: Extensive knowledge of the Australian media land

📌 Director, Public Engagement Capability (Australia)
🏢 Asio
📍 Australia