Assistant Director Retail Operations

Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Director Retail Operations

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 2 May 2025

Contact: Sarah Hamilton, 02 6277 5680, sarah.hamilton@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Executive Level 1 Assistant Director Retail Operations within Commercial Operations Branch. The iconic building welcomes over 725,000 visitors each year including some 127,000 school children. It is home to some 1,300 people working across the building, rising to more than 3,500 people on sitting days and peaking at around 10,000 people in the building on the busiest day of the year. 

Australian Parliament House (APH) Canberra is the meeting place of our nation and is one of our nation's most important buildings. This position offers you the chance to be a part of democracy in action. The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) supports the functions of the Australian Parliament and the work of parliamentarians.

The APH Catering and Events Team delivers high quality food and beverage services to building occupants and visitors. Services will be delivered through a range of venues, multiple kitchens and retail outlets that include amazing venues for function catering, a la carte, bistro, café (building occupants and public facing). Peak service times are Monday – Thursday on parliamentary sitting weeks (approximately 20 weeks per year) and Australian Parliament House is open every day except Christmas Day.

The successful applicant will have professional experience in managing small to large venues, retail catering operations and managing a team to deliver results. Australian Parliament House consists of four retail outlets.

This role will work closely with the Executive Chef and wider Catering and Events team to provide high quality experiences to internal stakeholders and visitors to APH. They will also have the skills and attributes needed to deliver high quality catering outcomes for DPS.
 

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an industry leader with acute organisational and communication skills, including the experience and ability to service multi-faceted operations. You should have proven experience in leading teams to meet a high level of performance across service quality and innovation, service standards, financial acumen in the back of house operation, and operational commitments.

The successful applicant is required to actively participate in service during peak periods to ensure smooth operations and exceptional customer service, provide support to staff and address any immediate issues that may arise.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• During Parliamentary Sitting weeks (18-20 weeks a year) the role is included in the roster. The successful candidate is required to work hands-on across retail outlets within Parliament House. 
• This role is physical in nature. 
• Academic qualifications in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Event Management, or a related discipline is highly desirable.
• A current Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate. If not currently held, this certificate must be obtained within two weeks of commencing in the role and be maintained.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) 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: Commercial Operations Branch 

Section: APH Catering 

Immediate supervisor: Executive Chef

 Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Executive Level 1 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Retail team and Back of House team to ensure the delivery of ongoing high-quality services for Australian Parliament House (APH), including management of DPS staff and Labour Hire, appropriate training to deliver services, leave arrangements and performance. 
    
2. Ensure experiences across retail outlets meet the needs of Parliamentarians, staff and clients maintaining a high standard of catering service.  Training of Front of House Retail staff to maintain and enforce service and presentation standards across all areas of responsibility.
    
3. Prepare, manage and review the provision of high-level information, communication and correspondence including briefings, reports, menus, and marketing campaigns to ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of written information.
    
4. Support the Executive Chef and overall Catering, Retail and Events team by anticipating services required to optimise time management, productivity, and ensuring deliverables are achieved.
    
5. Assist in developing and implementing departmental plans and goals in alignment with organisational objectives. 
    
6. Contribute to and lead projects in the Retail and Kitchen section, including physical infrastructure and/or system upgrades. 
    
7. Undertake asset management, stocktake, contract management and procurement activities in accordance with relevant policies and procedures. 
    
8. Lead business development efforts and manage performance reports related to section performance and financial budget.
    
9. Acts with integrity to uphold the parliamentary service values, demonstrating ethical and professional behaviour and support to a diverse workforce.
    
10. Other duties as required. 

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.

Selection Criteria

1.    Shapes strategic thinking

• Inspires a sense of purpose and direction
• Focuses strategically
• Harnesses information and opportunities
• Shows judgement, intelligence and commonsense

2.    Achieves results

• Builds organisational capability and responsiveness
• Marshals professional expertise
• Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty 
• Ensures closure and delivers on intended results

3.    Cultivates productive working relationships

• Nurtures internal and external relationships
• Facilitates cooperation and partnership
• Values individual differences and diversity
• Guides, mentors and develops people 

4.    Exemplifies personal drive and integrity

• Demonstrates public service professionalism and probity
• Engages with risk and shows personal courage
• Commits to action
• Displays resilience
• Demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal development

5.    Communicates with influence

• Communicates clearly
• Listens, understands and adapts to audience
• Negotiates persuasively

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 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:  

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

Salary

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

Conditions of Employment

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

•    Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

•    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.