Assistant Directors - Client Engagement and Research Support

Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Directors - Client Engagement and Research Support

Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST, 26 August 2026

Contact: Dr Robyn Prior, 02 6277 2746, robyn.prior@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

Lead high-performing teams that support the Parliament of Australia through the delivery of professional client services, information support, research coordination and parliamentary engagement activities.

Work in one of Australia's most unique and dynamic environments, supporting Senators, Members and their staff to access the Parliamentary Library's expertise, collections, research and information services.

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for two Assistant Director (PEL1) positions within the Parliamentary Library's Client Engagement and Research Support section:

• Assistant Director, Client Services and Engagement
• Assistant Director, Research Support and Coordination

We are seeking to fill two current vacancies and to establish a merit pool for ongoing and non‑ongoing opportunities that may arise over the next 18 months. Applicants may indicate a preference for either role, and will be considered for both positions.

These leadership roles provide an opportunity to contribute directly to the Library's support of Australia's parliamentary democracy. Working closely with the Director, you will lead capable teams delivering responsive, impartial and client-focused services in a fast-paced and often politically sensitive environment. The successful applicants will lead service delivery, develop workforce capability, drive continuous improvement and contribute to strategic and operational initiatives that support parliamentary clients and the broader work of the Parliamentary Library.

The work is varied and collaborative, with significant opportunities to contribute to client service excellence and organisational outcomes. You will engage regularly with parliamentary clients, senior stakeholders and colleagues across the Parliamentary Library and DPS to coordinate complex requests, resolve issues and deliver integrated services that meet the needs of parliamentary clients.

You will oversee workflows, maintain service quality standards, contribute to workforce planning and capability development, and help ensure clients receive timely, accurate and professional assistance.

About the teams

Client Services and Engagement supports Senators, Members and their staff by facilitating access to Parliamentary Library services, collections and expertise. The team coordinates client enquiries, information requests, outreach activities and training programs, helping clients make effective use of Library services. The team also manages front-of-house service delivery and plays a key role in maintaining strong relationships with parliamentary clients.

Research Support and Coordination provides information and tailored briefings directly to parliamentary clients and supports research teams across the Parliamentary Library. The team coordinates requests involving multiple stakeholders and facilitates collaboration across research areas to ensure integrated and responsive services for clients.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking experienced and collaborative leaders with a strong client service focus, sound judgement and the ability to build and support high-performing teams. You will be comfortable leading through change, driving continuous improvement and contributing to strategic and operational outcomes in a complex stakeholder environment.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams and fostering a positive workplace culture;
• Ability to manage complex workflows, competing priorities and service delivery outcomes in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, including the ability to influence and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries;
• Sound judgement, resilience and the ability to make considered decisions in an often sensitive operating environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and the delivery of high-quality client services; and
• Commitment to impartiality, professionalism and the values of the Department of Parliamentary Services.

You will be collaborative, adaptable and committed to delivering high-quality services that support the work of the Australian Parliament.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Australian citizenship.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

Desirable qualifications and requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field
• Ability to work occasional late shifts (5 pm to 8 pm) during parliamentary sitting weeks

For the Assistant Director - Client Services and Engagement role:

• Physical capacity to operate storage units and to manually handle collection material up to 6kg
• Ability to travel occasionally to electorate offices for outreach activities

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 - Assistant Director, Client Services and Engagement

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1 

Branch: Library Collections and Systems

Section: Client Engagement and Research Support

Immediate supervisor: Director, Client Engagement and Research Support 

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. Lead and manage the team’s provision of high-quality reference and information services, including workflow coordination, quality assurance of outputs, and performance feedback.
2. Develop and maintain strong working relationships across the Branch, Division and Department to support effective and timely handling of requests and other activities involving multiple stakeholders.
3. Assist the Director in managing the team, including recruitment, learning and development, performance management, and strategic planning.
4. Support staff development by enabling appropriate allocation of work across varying complexity and providing supervision and mentoring as required.
5. Contribute to the strategic and operational goals of the Branch, Division and Department. 

Selection Criteria 

1. Demonstrated experience leading and delivering high-quality client-focussed reference and information services, including training and outreach.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with staff, managers and clients.
3. Demonstrated leadership capability, including sound judgement, accountability and professional integrity.
4. Understanding of, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the parliamentary environment.
5. Eligible qualifications and/or other technical requirements

a) Ability to perform occasional 5pm - 8pm shifts during parliamentary sitting periods.
b) Ability to undertake occasional interstate travel to electorate offices (Driver’s License preferable).
c) Tertiary qualifications in Library and Information Management or other relevant field are highly desirable. 

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.

Duty Statement - Assistant Director, Research Support and Coordination

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1 

Branch: Library Collections and Systems 

Section: Client Engagement and Research Support

Immediate supervisor: Director, Client Engagement and Research Support 

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. Lead and manage the team’s responses to research, reference and coordination tasks, including workflow coordination, quality assurance of outputs, and performance feedback.
2. Develop and maintain strong working relationships across the Branch, Division and Department to support research coordination activities involving multiple stakeholders.
3. Assist the Director in managing the team, including recruitment, learning and development, performance management, and strategic planning.
4. Support staff development by enabling appropriate allocation of work across varying complexity and providing supervision and mentoring as required.
5. Contribute to the strategic and operational goals of the Branch, Division and Department.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience leading and delivering high-quality client-focussed research, reference or coordination services.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with staff, managers and clients.
3. Demonstrated leadership capability, including sound judgement, accountability and professional integrity.
4. Understanding of, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the parliamentary environment.
5. Eligible qualifications and/or other technical requirements

a) Ability to perform occasional 5pm - 8pm shifts during parliamentary sitting weeks.
b) Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field are highly desirable. 

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 your 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 at 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.