Administration Manager

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence in Canberra seeks an EL 1 Administration Business Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight in a legal services environment. You will lead administrative officers, drive workforce planning and manage governance, resources and continuous improvement.

The role requires strong judgement, risk management and a commitment to a high-performing, inclusive workplace culture while coordinating with senior leaders and Defence stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience, including leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities, resources and risk in a high-volume environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement with ability to provide strategic advice at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage an administrative team to achieve service delivery objectives.
• Drive workforce planning, performance management and staff development initiatives.
• Oversee business operations, governance and compliance activities.
• Manage resources and workloads to meet operational demands and priorities.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and business transformation initiatives.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor performance, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, policy and procedural requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

Skills

Leadership

Workforce planning

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

People management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration / related field

Tools

Policy frameworks

Job description

As the EL 1 Administration Business Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight within a legal services environment. You will lead a team of administrative officers and will be responsible for workforce management, governance, business operations, resource planning and continuous improvement initiatives that support the delivery of high-quality legal and administrative services.

You will work closely with senior leaders, legal officers and other stakeholders to drive organisational performance, manage competing priorities and ensure the effective delivery of services in a complex and dynamic environment. The role requires sound judgement, strong leadership capability and the ability to identify and manage organisational risks while fostering a positive and high-performing team culture.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated leader who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery and is passionate about developing people, improving processes and achieving organisational outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage an administrative team to achieve service delivery objectives.
• Drive workforce planning, performance management and staff development initiatives.
• Oversee business operations, governance and compliance activities.
• Manage resources and workloads to meet operational demands and organisational priorities.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and business transformation initiatives.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor performance, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, policy and procedural requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

About our Team

Defence Counsel Services (DCS) provides independent legal assistance to eligible ADF members across a broad range of legal matters. The team comprises legal officers and support staff located across Australia, delivering timely, professional and client-focused legal services in a high-volume operational environment.

The team manages a significant national caseload, supports members through often complex and sensitive circumstances, and works closely with Defence stakeholders to ensure legal assistance services remain accessible, effective and responsive. Through the delivery of high-quality legal advice and assistance, the team contributes to Defence's commitment to supporting its people, maintaining trust in Defence processes, and promoting fair and lawful decision-making.

Our Ideal Candidate

Defence Counsel Services (DCS) is seeking a high-performing EL 1 to lead a geographically dispersed team delivering legal assistance services to ADF members. The role is responsible for workforce leadership, operational management, resource allocation and governance, ensuring the effective delivery of a high-volume legal practice.

The successful applicant will provide strategic advice, manage competing priorities, oversee complex and sensitive matters, and work closely with senior stakeholders across Defence.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced people leader with strong judgement, communication and organisational skills. They will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, leading teams through change, managing risk, and driving continuous improvement while maintaining a strong focus on client service and staff wellbeing.

Key requirements:

• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience, including leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, resources and risk in a high-volume operational environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to provide strategic advice and influence outcomes at all levels.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

As the EL 1 Administration Business Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight within a legal services environment. You will lead a team of administrative officers and will be responsible for workforce management, governance, business operations, resource planning and continuous improvement initiatives that support the delivery of high-quality legal and administrative services.

You will work closely with senior leaders, legal officers and other stakeholders to drive organisational performance, manage competing priorities and ensure the effective delivery of services in a complex and dynamic environment. The role requires sound judgement, strong leadership capability and the ability to identify and manage organisational risks while fostering a positive and high-performing team culture.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated leader who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery and is passionate about developing people, improving processes and achieving organisational outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage an administrative team to achieve service delivery objectives.
• Drive workforce planning, performance management and staff development initiatives.
• Oversee business operations, governance and compliance activities.
• Manage resources and workloads to meet operational demands and organisational priorities.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and business transformation initiatives.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor performance, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, policy and procedural requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

About our Team

Defence Counsel Services (DCS) provides independent legal assistance to eligible ADF members across a broad range of legal matters. The team comprises legal officers and support staff located across Australia, delivering timely, professional and client-focused legal services in a high-volume operational environment.

The team manages a significant national caseload, supports members through often complex and sensitive circumstances, and works closely with Defence stakeholders to ensure legal assistance services remain accessible, effective and responsive. Through the delivery of high-quality legal advice and assistance, the team contributes to Defence's commitment to supporting its people, maintaining trust in Defence processes, and promoting fair and lawful decision-making.

Our Ideal Candidate

Defence Counsel Services (DCS) is seeking a high-performing EL 1 to lead a geographically dispersed team delivering legal assistance services to ADF members. The role is responsible for workforce leadership, operational management, resource allocation and governance, ensuring the effective delivery of a high-volume legal practice.

The successful applicant will provide strategic advice, manage competing priorities, oversee complex and sensitive matters, and work closely with senior stakeholders across Defence.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced people leader with strong judgement, communication and organisational skills. They will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, leading teams through change, managing risk, and driving continuous improvement while maintaining a strong focus on client service and staff wellbeing.

Key requirements:

• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience, including leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, resources and risk in a high-volume operational environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to provide strategic advice and influence outcomes at all levels.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers