Chief Of Staff, Office Of The Secretary

A little bit about us

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is responsible for the design and implementation of the Australian Government’s infrastructure, transport, regional development, communications and the arts policies and programs.

Our Department’s objectives are connecting Australians, enriching communities and empowering regions. We live by our Departmental values: collaborative, respectful, informed, adaptive and accountable. We are at the forefront of the Australian Government’s efforts to secure the nation’s economic future and improve living standards.

We play a critical role in building stronger communities through major infrastructure planning, investment advice and delivery, and strategic development of policies and programs. We also support a thriving aviation industry, connecting even our most remote residents with the rest of the country and the world, and making sure that all transport users benefit from a safe and secure transport system.

We provide an environment in which all Australians can access and benefit from communications services, creative experiences and culture. Our purposes are to enable all Australians to connect to effective communications services and technologies, for inclusiveness and sustainable economic growth; and to support inclusiveness and growth in Australia’s creative sector, and protect and promote Australian content and culture.

We also manage some of Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects which affect the wider community, including regulating airports, the development of the Western Sydney (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the delivery of Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail.

We are committed to contributing to the prosperity of the economy and the wellbeing of all Australians by assisting regions to realise their potential and manage their own futures. 

This sees us work in partnership with regional, rural, remote and Indigenous communities. On behalf of the Australian Government, we also administer the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, the Jervis Bay Territory and Norfolk Island as well as manage the Government’s interests in the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory.

Enabling us to achieve our objectives is a strong corporate team who provide a range of strategic legal, ICT, human resources, risk, communications and governance services to our Executive Team and wider-department.

The opportunity we have available

As Chief of Staff (CoS), Office of the Secretary you will report directly to the Secretary and play an integral role in delivering the outcomes and priorities for the Department. You will be responsible for leading and managing the Secretary’s office, providing strategic, policy and coordination support and other duties as required. You will:

Act as a strategic and trusted advisor, providing high-quality advice to the Secretary and the Executive Leadership team;

Conduct extensive and effective collaboration with the department’s senior executive, and other internal and external stakeholders;

Exercise strategic thinking including the ability to anticipate change and opportunities for the Secretary’s office;

Build and maintain high quality relationships across the department;

Demonstrate the highest level of discretion, flexibility, confidentiality, excellent judgement, self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

What will you do?

As CoS, you will be responsible for providing direct support to the Secretary, the Office of the Secretary and Executive Leadership team. You will provide strategic, policy and coordination support in the Secretary’s office.

As the CoS, you can expect to:

Engage internal and external stakeholders on sensitive issues in order to share or seek information, and/or to advocate a particular position, to achieve the department’s objectives;

Consider multiple options to resolve complex problems and develop innovative and realistic solutions;

Deliver outcomes aligned with Government priorities and the department’s vision and purpose – within allocated resources;

Provide overall leadership of staff within the Office of the Secretary, including building and developing a high performing team to deliver the core priorities of the Office of the Secretary and across the department;

Demonstrate commitment to Australian Public Service (APS) stewardship and departmental activities;

Create an environment of integrity, accountability and transparency.

Who are we looking for?

As the CoS, you must demonstrate you are a collaborative and agile leader with the ability to provide strategic, policy and coordination support to the Secretary, Office of the Secretary and the Executive Leadership team.

You must demonstrate the ability to provide strategic and operational leadership, and actively build effective, robust and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the Secretary to lead and deliver the department’s objectives.

Specifically, we are seeking leaders who can:

Actively lead – discussing and articulating a positive vision and sense of purpose for the future and empowering people to succeed and have a positive impact.

Deliver – finding solutions and delivering the agenda of the Government of the day.

Advise – as a principal adviser to Government on policy and delivery.

Act with integrity and be respectful – making informed decisions, integrating moral and ethical considerations and establishing realistic goals. Value different perspectives, contributions and background.

Drive innovation – turning innovative thinking into action and make time to engage others in ideas and problem solving. Consider mistakes first as an opportunity to learn.

Reward achievement – seek out and make time to reward others that demonstrate the behaviours to support the department’s purpose and vision.

Manage for high performance – self and others.

Be collaborative – across the department, portfolio, APS and other sectors. Seek input from others.

Contribute – make a positive contribution, across the department, Portfolio and Government. Overcome barriers.

Culturally Competent – demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting First Nations peoples and an ability to communicate sensitively effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What else can we offer?

Making an impact by supporting Australians in a way that enriches our communities, empowers our regions, and connects all Australians

Exposure to high profile and exciting projects

Learn from leaders and build professional networks with leaders who support innovation and diversity across the department and the wider APS

Career advancement including professional and capability development opportunities focused on your individual career goals

Ongoing support and access to the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme.

Flexible working arrangements where appropriate, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing

Support for women’s progression into senior leadership