Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing
Classification: Senior Executive Service Band 1
Closing Date: Monday 6 January, 11:30pm AEDT,
Contact: Nicola Hinder, (02) 6277 8625, Nicola.Hinder@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is establishing a talent pool of high performing Senior Executive Service Band 1 staff to fill a variety of expected and upcoming roles across the Department.

DPS comprises over 1,200 staff that support the Parliament of Australia through innovative and client-focused services. The department delivers a broad range of services to support a working parliament including enabling engagement with the public and acting as custodian and stewards of Australian Parliament House.

DPS provides innovative, unified and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and Parliamentarians. As custodians of Australian Parliament House, we deliver a broad range of services, experiences and large-scale construction projects that enable Australian parliamentary democracy and engagement with it. Employees at DPS work across a diverse range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles.

DPS also has responsibility and oversight of functions including retail outlets, commercially licensed operations and own-source revenue streams.

As a member of the DPS Senior Executive cohort, you will be expected to:

• Provide leadership to your Branch while working collaboratively with the other business areas to deliver on the department’s strategic priorities as outlined in DPS Corporate Plan.
  
• Provide high quality strategic and technical advice to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, members of the DPS SES team and other internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Contribute to the overall strategic, planning, operational capability and accountability of DPS.
  
• Develop an environment that ensures sound planning, a culture of innovation, effective risk management, continuous improvement and a strong service delivery focus.
  
• Model contemporary aspirational leadership behaviours and work collaboratively to drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and a strong service delivery focus.
  
• Appear with the Secretary at Senate Estimates hearings when required.
  

About the Vacancies:

We have expected and upcoming vacancies at the Assistant Secretary level in the following Branches:


Property Services
Be at the heart of managing and enhancing some of Australia’s most iconic assets. Property Services oversees the upkeep and operations of Australian Parliament House, delivering cutting-edge facilities management and ensuring seamless services for one of the country’s most important buildings. Your leadership can help shape how this world-class facility operates and evolves to meet the needs of Parliament, staff, and visitors.


Parliamentary and Media
Drive the connection between Parliament and the public as a leader of Parliamentary and Media . Oversee media relationships, publications, social media, and speechwriting while managing the department’s contributions to Senate Estimates, Senate Inquiries, and parliamentary documentation. This is your chance to lead impactful initiatives and foster transparency and engagement at the heart of Australian governance.


Commercial Operations (Non-ongoing contract – 5 years)
Lead the team behind one of the country’s most unique and vibrant event and hospitality operations. Commercial Operations crafts extraordinary culinary experiences using local and native ingredients while supporting iconic venues like the Queens Terrace Café and private event spaces at Parliament House. Beyond hospitality, the branch manages press gallery operations, retail tenants, childcare, wellness services, and more. Bring your leadership to this multifaceted branch and leave a lasting impression on every visitor, tenant, and Parliament House event.


Parliamentary Engagement
The Parliamentary Engagement Branch delivers engaging visitor experiences, including tours and public programs, and provides tailored services for parliamentarians, building occupants, and visitors. It also oversees the operation of the Parliament House Shop, offering an onsite and online retail experience designed to foster lasting appreciation and confidence in Australia’s democracy.


Please note: This selection process will also be used to establish a merit pool that may be used to fill roles as they become available within the following 18-month period.

Who we are looking for

DPS prides itself on leaders who can support the high-tempo needs of a modern parliament through contemporary leadership practices. Diversity is our strength, and we seek to continue to build high performing teams comprised of industry-best talent.


Interested applicants will need to demonstrate experience in leading a large, complex and diverse workforce and driving change within a client-focused service environment. Strong personal accountability, managing complex stakeholder relationships, being agile and adaptable, and the capability to deal with ambiguity and change are crucial to succeeding in this role.

Selection Criteria:
Senior Executive Service roles require (essential):

• Established leadership skills that inspire and motivate teams, creating a common purpose and direction and a high-performance culture, to support the work of the Parliament and DPS.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship management skills, including the ability to provide insightful, persuasive, and trusted advice to a diverse range of important stakeholders in a politically complex environment.
• Strong strategic judgement, political acuity, and ability to manage ambiguity to resolve complex issues as they evolve.
• Demonstrated achievement of delivering quality results, within budget, tight time frames and across multiple stakeholders.

Desirable:

• An understanding of the institution of parliament and the role of parliamentary democracy.
• A university degree, tertiary qualification or relevant professional qualification in a related field.
• Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance.

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

DPS welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

How to apply

Please upload an up-to-date CV/Resume, contact details of 2 referees and a two-page statement of claims (approximately 1000 words) outlining:

• why you are interested in the role
• what you can offer DPS in context of the job specific requirements
• your relevant skills career history and achievements, and
• your leadership attributes.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace.

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:

• access to flexible work arrangements
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities
• a competitive remuneration package
• secure parking
• gym membership and access to recreational facilities
• access to on-site childcare, banking services, post office, dining options and more within APH.

Salary

A highly attractive salary will be negotiated with the successful candidate/s. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle Canberra has to offer as well as having the opportunity of working in a dynamic organisation that enables Australian parliamentary democracy, engages our citizens and visitors with the parliament, and is the custodian Australian Parliament House. Other attractive benefits include the cost of relevant professional membership fees, designated parking, onsite health and recreation centre membership and airline lounge membership.

Conditions of Employment

The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 provides for mobility between the Australian Public Service and the Parliamentary Service. Employment opportunities in the Parliamentary Service may be subject to a range of conditions of engagement including:
a) Australian citizenship
b) criminal history check and security clearances
c) possession of mandatory qualifications for certain jobs
d) health clearance, and
e) probation period of 6 months

Australian Citizenship


Section 22 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires that employees of the Parliamentary Service are generally required to be Australian citizens. If you are not an Australian citizen, you may still be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to termination of engagement.

Redundancy


If you have accepted a redundancy benefit, within the previous twelve months, from a Commonwealth employer (including the Parliamentary Service and the Australian Public Service), you cannot be employed by DPS until your exclusion period (the number of weeks for which you received a redundancy benefit) has expired. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact HR Services on telephone (02) 6277 5200.