Assistant Director ESS Operations

Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Director ESS Operations

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST,19 August 2026

Contact: Antonio Antonino, 62778491, antonio.antonino@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced business operations leader who thrives in a complex, high-profile and security-focused environment?

The Department of Parliamentary Services is seeking a capable and motivated Assistant Director, ESS Operations to support the effective delivery, governance and sustainment of critical Electronic Security System operations across the parliamentary environment.

This is a key leadership role within ESS Operations, providing strategic business management, operational support, procurement and contract management, executive reporting, financial oversight, workforce planning and continuous improvement. The role acts as a trusted adviser to the Director of ESS Operations and plays an important part in aligning operational activities with organisational priorities and strategic objectives. 

The successful candidate will bring strong judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to operate confidently across business, financial, workforce and governance matters. You will lead and support end-to-end procurement activities, manage contracts and service agreements, prepare high-quality briefs and reports for senior executives, and contribute to practical improvements that enhance efficiency, accountability and operational delivery. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with technical specialists, service providers, security practitioners and senior executives, supporting the delivery of essential security services in a dynamic and sensitive operating environment.

Who we are looking for

This role is well suited to someone who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery, manage competing priorities and build productive relationships across a broad stakeholder group. We are looking for someone with demonstrated experience in business management, governance, procurement, contract management, financial oversight, workforce planning and stakeholder engagement.

Experience in a Commonwealth Government, Parliamentary or security operations environment will be highly regarded, along with knowledge of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, PGPA Act requirements and APS/DPS governance frameworks.

If you are a collaborative, solutions-focused leader who wants to contribute to the effective operation of critical security systems in one of Australia’s most significant democratic institutions, we encourage you to apply.

Job Specific Requirements: 

  
•  The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Confidential/Highly Protected/Secret) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1 

Branch: Digital Customer Services 

Section: ESS Operations 

Immediate supervisor: Director of ESS Operations

Duty Statement

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the specified classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.    Business Management and Operational Support. Act as the primary point of contact for business management matters within ESS operations. Provide strategic business management support to ESS operations, ensuring effective governance, planning, and operational delivery. Act as a trusted adviser to the Director on business, financial, workforce, and governance matters. Align operational activities with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.

2.    Procurement and Contract Management. Lead end-to-end procurement activities in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, including market research, documentation, evaluation, and contract establishment. Manage contracts and service agreements, ensuring performance, compliance, and value for money. Identify and mitigate procurement and contractual risks.

3.    Reporting and Executive Support. Prepare and coordinate high-quality briefs, reports, submissions, and correspondence for senior executives. Ensure outputs are accurate, evidence-based, and aligned with organisational and APS standards. Monitor actions, decisions, and correspondence to support effective governance and timely follow-up.

4.    Governance and Continuous Improvement. Develop, implement, and maintain governance frameworks, business processes, and organisational structures. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and audit requirements.

5.    Financial Management. Manage operational budgets, including forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting. Provide financial analysis and advice to support decision-making and resource allocation. Ensure financial integrity through oversight of invoicing, reconciliation, and expenditure tracking.

6.    Workforce Management. Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and vacancy management activities. Ensure recruitment processes are merit-based and compliant with APS requirements. Support workforce capability and performance through effective people management practices.

Selection Criteria

1.    Demonstrated ability to provide strategic business management and operational support within a complex technical or security-related environment. Proven capability to analyse business needs, identify risks and opportunities, and develop practical solutions that support organisational priorities, operational preparedness, and the ongoing delivery of critical security systems.

2.    Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining governance frameworks, business processes, and assurance activities that support operational effectiveness and compliance. Proven ability to identify, assess and manage risks, monitor performance, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, standards and audit requirements within a security environment.

3.    Demonstrated ability to lead procurement and contract management activities, including planning, market engagement, evaluation, contract administration, and vendor relationship management. Experience managing budgets, forecasting expenditure, monitoring financial performance, and providing sound advice to ensure the effective sustainment and lifecycle management of operational technology, systems or services.

4.    Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including technical specialists, service providers, security practitioners and senior executives. Experience leading workforce planning, recruitment, capability development and the coordination of multi-disciplinary teams to achieve operational objectives in a dynamic and sensitive environment.

5.    Highly developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to prepare executive briefs, submissions, reports and correspondence on complex operational and  technical matters. Demonstrated ability to provide clear and evidence-based advice, exercise sound judgement, manage sensitive information, and influence outcomes through effective engagement with senior stakeholders.

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.

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the DPS Recruitment - Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

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:  

• flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational needs of the roles
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
• a competitive remuneration package
• free on-site parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities available a APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

An attractive salary, which could be negotiated with the successful candidate, is on offer.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at the department are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

• Australian citizenship: Section 22 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires that employees of the Parliamentary Service are generally required to be Australian citizens. However, if you are not an Australian citizen you may 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 employment.
  
  
• Loss and resumption of Australian citizenship: Under historical provisions of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 (section 17), some Australian citizens automatically lost their citizenship if they voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country between 26 January 1949 and 3 April 2002. This loss occurred by operation of law and may not have been known to the individual at the time. Although these provisions were repealed in 2002 to allow dual citizenship, the repeal did not restore citizenship that was previously lost. Individuals who believe they may be affected are recommended to seek advice about resuming their Australian citizenship. Further information, is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• Applicants who progress to the offer stage with our department who have been affected by the loss of citizenship as outlined above will be required to demonstrate within a reasonable time that they have resumed, or are actively undertaking the process to resume, Australian citizenship.
  
  
• Security clearance and character clearance: the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
  
  
• Health assessment: a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.
  
  
• External Work Approval: Employees must seek approval for any paid employment outside the department and declare voluntary activities that could impact their role.