Assistant Director, Explosives Regulator Policy & Design

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence is seeking an EL 1 Assistant Director to lead the establishment of a new regulator for Commonwealth explosives. You will help design reform programs, governance structures and risk management to support government decisions and effective implementation.

You will work within the Commonwealth Explosives Legislative Reform Taskforce to coordinate cross‑agency engagement, policy translation, and deployment of a contemporary regulatory capability with a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership through change and complexity.
• Excellent stakeholder management across boundaries and agencies.
• Experience in complex policy, regulatory reform or governance initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drive research and development of regulator options and operating models.
• Develop cost models and conduct analyses aligned with government guidance.
• Lead governance, risk and assurance frameworks for regulator establishment.
• Prepare briefing materials for ministerial and Cabinet processes.
• Mentor staff and foster a high-performing team culture.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance design

Policy reform

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Public policy/law background

Tools

Cost-benefit analysis

Job description

The Commonwealth Explosives Legislative Reform Taskforce is seeking an EL 1 Assistant Director to support the design and establishment of a new regulator for Commonwealth explosives. Working as part of a high-performing team, you will contribute to the development and implementation of a significant reform program underpinning the future Commonwealth explosives regulatory framework and the establishment of a contemporary, risk-based regulatory capability.

As an Assistant Director in the Taskforce, you will:

• Drive research, analysis and development of Regulator options including governance and accountability arrangements, workforce structures, operating models, enabling services and implementation considerations.
• Contribute to the development of cost models, cost benefit analyses and implementation options, ensuring alignment with Department of Finance guidance and Government decision-making requirements.
• Manage competing priorities, risks and dependencies across multiple work streams while providing strategic advice on complex regulatory reform, governance and organisational design matters.
• Develop strategic and operational regulatory policy frameworks, translating legislative reform into practical regulatory approaches, compliance settings and operational guidance.
• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders across Defence, the Commonwealth and external organisations to advance regulatory reform objectives and support successful implementation outcomes.
• Manage and facilitate stakeholder consultation and engagement activities across Commonwealth agencies, industry and other key stakeholders, influencing outcomes and building support for regulatory reform and establishment activities.
• Lead the development of governance, risk and assurance frameworks to support the establishment and ongoing operation of the regulator, including decision-making structures, delegations, performance monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
• Lead work to develop implementation, transition and establishment planning products, identifying risks, dependencies and resource requirements to support Government decisions and successful commencement of the regulator.
• Prepare and coordinate high quality briefing materials and ministerial, senate estimates and Cabinet documents, including engaging with the Cabinet process.
• Support a collaborative and high-performing team culture by sharing knowledge, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and providing guidance and mentoring to staff as required.

About our Team

The Taskforce is currently reviewing the Commonwealth explosives legislative framework on behalf of the Australian Government.

The Taskforce is charged to:

• Reform the Explosives Act 1961 (Cth) and related subordinate legislation.
• Design and establish a new safety and security Regulator for Commonwealth explosives.

This is a significant, high profile undertaking that involves complex policy development and problem solving. Tasks involve close engagement and negotiation with policy areas across the Commonwealth, senior Defence management and external stakeholders. This role provides the opportunity to gain further career experience in government and Cabinet processes, engage with other Commonwealth agencies and be a significant contributor in the creation of a new Regulator.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have demonstrated leadership capability and the ability to lead through change and complexity while delivering outcomes in an evolving and at times ambiguous environment.
• Have an understanding of, or willingness to learn, the Commonwealth’s role in providing national regulation and the principles of effective regulatory stewardship and public administration.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including the ability to balance competing stakeholder priorities and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes across organisational and jurisdictional boundaries.
• Have demonstrated experience working on complex policy, regulatory reform, governance or organisational design initiatives, preferably within a Commonwealth environment.
• Have demonstrated experience developing and implementing governance products and processes, including frameworks, operating models, policies, guidelines and assurance mechanisms.
• Have the ability to apply sound judgement to balance and prioritise competing/critical demands and ensure alignment of the reforms with broader organisational goals and Government priorities.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft high quality written products (e.g. project plans, stakeholder engagement plans, submissions, parliamentary and departmental briefs, talking points, agreements and correspondence) for different audiences.
• Have highly-developed interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate information coherently and concisely to different audiences to guide decision-making.
• Demonstrate a commitment to stewardship, integrity and collaboration, with the ability to build capability, influence outcomes and contribute to a high-performing team environment.

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

The Commonwealth Explosives Legislative Reform Taskforce is seeking an EL 1 Assistant Director to support the design and establishment of a new regulator for Commonwealth explosives. Working as part of a high-performing team, you will contribute to the development and implementation of a significant reform program underpinning the future Commonwealth explosives regulatory framework and the establishment of a contemporary, risk-based regulatory capability.

As an Assistant Director in the Taskforce, you will:

• Drive research, analysis and development of Regulator options including governance and accountability arrangements, workforce structures, operating models, enabling services and implementation considerations.
• Contribute to the development of cost models, cost benefit analyses and implementation options, ensuring alignment with Department of Finance guidance and Government decision-making requirements.
• Manage competing priorities, risks and dependencies across multiple work streams while providing strategic advice on complex regulatory reform, governance and organisational design matters.
• Develop strategic and operational regulatory policy frameworks, translating legislative reform into practical regulatory approaches, compliance settings and operational guidance.
• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders across Defence, the Commonwealth and external organisations to advance regulatory reform objectives and support successful implementation outcomes.
• Manage and facilitate stakeholder consultation and engagement activities across Commonwealth agencies, industry and other key stakeholders, influencing outcomes and building support for regulatory reform and establishment activities.
• Lead the development of governance, risk and assurance frameworks to support the establishment and ongoing operation of the regulator, including decision-making structures, delegations, performance monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
• Lead work to develop implementation, transition and establishment planning products, identifying risks, dependencies and resource requirements to support Government decisions and successful commencement of the regulator.
• Prepare and coordinate high quality briefing materials and ministerial, senate estimates and Cabinet documents, including engaging with the Cabinet process.
• Support a collaborative and high-performing team culture by sharing knowledge, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and providing guidance and mentoring to staff as required.

About our Team

The Taskforce is currently reviewing the Commonwealth explosives legislative framework on behalf of the Australian Government.

The Taskforce is charged to:

• Reform the Explosives Act 1961 (Cth) and related subordinate legislation.
• Design and establish a new safety and security Regulator for Commonwealth explosives.

This is a significant, high profile undertaking that involves complex policy development and problem solving. Tasks involve close engagement and negotiation with policy areas across the Commonwealth, senior Defence management and external stakeholders. This role provides the opportunity to gain further career experience in government and Cabinet processes, engage with other Commonwealth agencies and be a significant contributor in the creation of a new Regulator.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have demonstrated leadership capability and the ability to lead through change and complexity while delivering outcomes in an evolving and at times ambiguous environment.
• Have an understanding of, or willingness to learn, the Commonwealth’s role in providing national regulation and the principles of effective regulatory stewardship and public administration.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including the ability to balance competing stakeholder priorities and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes across organisational and jurisdictional boundaries.
• Have demonstrated experience working on complex policy, regulatory reform, governance or organisational design initiatives, preferably within a Commonwealth environment.
• Have demonstrated experience developing and implementing governance products and processes, including frameworks, operating models, policies, guidelines and assurance mechanisms.
• Have the ability to apply sound judgement to balance and prioritise competing/critical demands and ensure alignment of the reforms with broader organisational goals and Government priorities.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft high quality written products (e.g. project plans, stakeholder engagement plans, submissions, parliamentary and departmental briefs, talking points, agreements and correspondence) for different audiences.
• Have highly-developed interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate information coherently and concisely to different audiences to guide decision-making.
• Demonstrate a commitment to stewardship, integrity and collaboration, with the ability to build capability, influence outcomes and contribute to a high-performing team environment.

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