The opportunity we have available

As a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, you will report directly to the Secretary and play a key leadership role in shaping the Department's strategic direction and delivering the Government's priorities. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), you will share collective responsibility for the Department's performance, culture and stewardship while leading multiple divisions. Working collaboratively across government, industry and the community, you will drive reform, influence complex policy and program outcomes, and deliver meaningful benefits for Australians.

This process will be used to fill future vacancies at the SES Band 3 level in the department.

The following vacancy has been confirmed for immediate placement from this process.

Deputy Secretary/Chief Operating Officer, Corporate and Territories Group

As Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will report directly to the Secretary and lead the Corporate and Territories Group, which includes the Territories; Finance, Strategy, Budget and Research; Information Technology and Data; Legal and Integrity; and Enabling Services divisions.

The COO component of the role oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the Department and provides strategic leadership for its internal operations in line with priorities and objectives set by the Secretary. The Territories component oversees the department’s role in supporting policy and administrative arrangements for, and the delivery of essential services and infrastructure to, Australia’s external territories and the Jervis Bay Territory.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will drive organisational capability, operational excellence, strong governance and the delivery of the Department's priorities. You will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve impactful outcomes and position the Department for future success.

What you will do

As Deputy Secretary, you can expect to:

- Along with colleagues, build and maintain a whole-of-department strategic policy delivery capability to provide advice on emerging and priority issues, including those relating to First Nations outcomes
- Build and maintain effective and productive networks across portfolio agencies, government, academia, and the private sector
- Ensure there are effective quality assurance protocols and business planning arrangements to support the delivery of timely and high-quality outputs
- Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies that strengthen the department’s inclusive culture
- Represent the department across government, industry, and public forums, including Ministerial briefings, Parliamentary engagements, and Senate Estimates hearings
- Have a passion for making a difference and challenging the status quo
- Be a motivated and visible leader and responsible for embedding the Department’s vision, values and culture
- Demonstrate an ability to lead and coach a number of high-performing teams and build an inclusive, supportive workplace culture
- Demonstrate collaboration and be an agile leader with the ability to drive broad transformational change, both internal and external to the department
- Use strong relationship-building acumen to foster enterprise partnerships and draw on your extensive networks (or have an ability to build them) to drive opportunities for the branch




- Skillfully communicate and influence key stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes
- Apply strong critical and strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset, to deliver high quality advice to the enterprise.

Inherent requirements for the role The inherent requirements for this role include:

- The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours and the APS Integrated Leadership Profile (ILS) for the SES Band 3 level
- An ability to consider and assess emerging trends and risks provide well considered guidance to the department to enable informed decision-making about long-term opportunities and achievement of strategic, operational and tactical priorities
- the ability to lead and inspire staff within your business area, including building and developing a high performing team, managing competing business priorities and psychosocial risk factors to effectively deliver the core priorities of your business and across the department.
- An ability to build and maintain effective, collaborative and productive networks across portfolio agencies, government, academia, and the private sector.

Deputy Secretary roles within the department are considered Identified positions. All candidates are required to have a knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting First Nations, and a demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with First Nations people.

RecruitAbility The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.

The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under ‘inherent requirements for the role’.

You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.

We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

Cultural capability requirement The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.





As an SESB3 you will be expected to:

- Set and model expectations for culturally capable and culturally safe leadership
- Hold leaders and the organisation accountable for practice and outcomes
- Steward systems - including consultation, governance and assurance arrangements—that endure beyond individuals and support consistent, high-quality practice.

At the SES level, cultural capability includes a positive duty of care at an organisational level. SES leaders are responsible for ensuring that organisational culture, systems and incentives proactively prevent harm, embed and sustain genuine and consistent consultation, and enable culturally capable practice over time.

This includes setting clear expectations, ensuring accountability, and where required, resetting systems, priorities or approaches to address systemic issues, consistent with authority and stewardship responsibilities.

What else can we offer

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

- Make an impact by supporting Australians in a way that enriches our communities, empowers our regions, and connects all Australians;
- Have exposure to, and strategically influence, high profile and exciting projects;
- Learn from inspiring leaders and build professional networks with others who support innovation and diversity across the department and the wider APS;
- Receive career advancement opportunities, including professional and capability development that is focused on your individual career goals;
- Receive ongoing support including mentoring and access to the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme; and
- Enjoy flexible working arrangements where appropriate, including part time hours, home-based work and job sharing Support for women’s progression into senior leadership.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and career development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting 2 level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances.More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

📌 Deputy Secretary, Various Roles (Identified), Deputy Secretary/Chief Operating Officer, Corporate and Territories Group (Identified)
🏢 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
📍 Canberra