Assistant Director, Accommodation

The Department of Parliamentary Services; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Free gym membership

Childcare (pending availability)

Job summary

Department of Parliamentary Services seeks an Assistant Director Accommodation (PEL1) to lead a small team overseeing accommodation planning, relocations and furniture management for Australian Parliament House.

You will coordinate end-to-end procurement across Parliament House, manage multiple contracts, and provide strategic advice to support the Planning branch in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and maintaining governance frameworks and policy documentation.
• Experience in furniture/asset management or related stewardship contexts.
• Ability to support senior management with strategic tasks and project governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team to support accommodation planning, relocations, and furniture management.
• Coordinate procurement for the Parliament House special furniture collection.
• Provide strategic advice to deliver section objectives and APH Accommodation Committee outcomes.
• Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and promote inclusive culture.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Policy documentation

Stakeholder engagement

Interpersonal communication

Tools

Procurement systems

Job description

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Company: Department of Parliamentary Services

Job Title:Assistant Director, Accommodation

Employment Type:Ongoing

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST, 28 September 2026

The Opportunity

Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is seeking a highly motivated, experienced and strategic leader to fill the position of Assistant Director Accommodation (PEL1) within the Planning and Quality Branch (PQB).

The Assistant Director Accommodation (AD Accommodation) leads a small team critical to supporting DPS' accommodation planning and relocation activities, furniture management for DPS staff and ongoing care and stewardship of Australian Parliament House's special furniture collection.

The successful applicant will have strong coordination and communication skills and the ability to multitask and prioritise competing demands. The AD Accommodation leads and supports end-to-end procurement activities, manages multiple contracts across Parliament House and parliamentary departments and provides oversight of accommodation, relocation and furniture requests. The AD Accommodation will also have the opportunity to work closely with multiple stakeholders from both DPS and other parliamentary departments, supporting the delivery of essential services in a fast-paced environment.

Who we are looking for

The role is well suited to someone who can manage competing priorities and build productive working relationships with a broad stakeholder group. Prior experience in accommodation planning, inventory management, procurement, and stewardship, maintenance and preservation of a collection like the APH special furniture collection is preferred.

Job Specific Requirements

• 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: Planning and Quality

Section: Planning

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:

• Lead a small team responsible for supporting accommodation planning, relocations, office furniture, disposals, furniture refurbishment programs and ongoing management of the Parliament House special furniture collection.
• Undertake detailed planning, implementation and coordination of a management strategy and associated procurement for the Parliament House special furniture collection.
• Assist and support the Director Planning with priority tasks, section projects and provide strategic advice and recommendations to deliver the section objectives, including facilitating the APH Accommodation Committee outcomes.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders through effective communication and proactive engagement and cultivate a cooperative working environment.
• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture by promoting teamwork, respect, and open communication, and by encouraging professional development and continuous improvement among staff.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining professional governance frameworks and policy documentation, and experience in producing a range of professional documents.
• Demonstrated experience in furniture and/or asset management meeting key timeframes and priorities in a senstive environment.
• Demonstrated capability in assisting and supporting senior management with key tasks and projects, offering strategic insights and recommendations, backed by sound judgement and analytical skills, and the ability to support governance activities for committees.
• Excellent written communication and attention to detail, effective time management and prioritisation skills, and proficiency in using departmental systems and leveraging technology to enhance processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Commitment to building and sustaining a positive workplace culture and promoting a collaborative, inclusive and respectful environment.
• Previous experience in accommodation planning, office relocations, furniture procurements and refurbishment programs would be an advantage.

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 maximumdescribing 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 ourservice offerings anddecision 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 protectour 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
• 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.

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.

Department of Parliamentary Services acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.