Reporting to the Assistant Secretary, Innovation, Design and Delivery, the Director, Innovation and AI Transformation is responsible for driving the Department's adoption of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and innovative delivery approaches to improve services, business outcomes and organisational capability.

Our Innovation and AI Transformation team leads the department’s exploration and adoption of AI and other emerging technologies. The team identifies opportunities where new technology can deliver meaningful value, support experimentation and rapid prototyping, and help translate successful ideas into sustainable changes to services, processes and ways of working. The team also helps build the capabilities, partnerships and approaches needed for the department to innovate safely and effectively.

The successful candidate will work directly with senior leaders to set direction, and progress high visibility work that delivers on the outcomes of the DEWR AI Strategy. This role will give you experience leading AI-enabled transformation and innovation, including identifying opportunities, testing ideas and helping successful initiatives move towards implementation. You will also build practical knowledge of generative AI and emerging technologies, responsible AI, governance and risk, while developing stronger skills in product thinking, experimentation and human-centred design.

The role will provide experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working across technology, policy, service delivery and corporate functions to solve complex problems. It will also strengthen SES communication and engagement, as you work with your team to influence decisions and provide visibility of the enterprise AI transformation work program to the AI Transformation Committee and Secretary.





Responsibilities of the EL2, Innovation and AI Transformation role may include:

- Lead the development and implementation of the Department's AI, innovation and emerging technology initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to apply AI and digital innovation to improve policy delivery, operational performance and service delivery outcomes.
- Embed governance approaches that support the safe, ethical and responsible use of AI and emerging technologies.
- Lead experimentation, proof-of-concepts and innovation programs, translating successful initiatives into scalable business outcomes.
- Provide strategic advice on emerging technology trends, risks and opportunities.
- Foster innovation capability across the Department through thought leadership, partnerships and knowledge sharing.
- Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to identify and prioritise innovation opportunities and investment decisions.
- Provide strategic leadership and authoritative advice to senior executives on complex digital, technology and business transformation matters.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams to achieve high-quality outcomes in a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing setting.
- Drive continuous improvement, innovation and organisational capability uplift.

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 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.

📌 Director, Innovation and AI Transformation (Brisbane)
🏢 Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
📍 Brisbane