Assistant Director - Network Engineering And Operations

Parliament Of Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 123,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job description

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced network professional who can combine technical expertise with strong leadership, sound judgement and a focus on delivering secure, reliable enterprise network services. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Demonstrated experience designing, operating and supporting secure enterprise network services across routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, zero trust and cloud networking.
• Proven ability to lead the resolution of complex incidents and problems, assess technical and security risks, implement controlled changes and improve service availability, performance, capacity and resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and deliver operational and project outcomes while contributing directly to technical work when required.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical information, negotiate practical outcomes and provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting procurement, commercial and vendor management activities, with an understanding of relevant Commonwealth security, procurement and accountability requirements.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies, align technical decisions with organisational outcomes and drive continuous improvement, innovation and automation.
• Sound knowledge of relevant security and governance frameworks, including the Information Security Manual, Essential Eight and Protective Security Policy Framework.

Job Specific Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in information technology, engineering, project management or a related discipline, or relevant industry certifications, are desirable.
• Substantial experience supporting and managing network services in a complex enterprise environment.
• Relevant vendor, network, security, IT service management or project management certifications are desirable.
• The role may require participation in after-hours support, planned maintenance and incident response arrangements.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Confidential/Highly Protected/Secret) 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.

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1

Branch: Cyber Security

Section: Network Security & Operations

Immediate supervisor: Director, Cyber Infrastructure, Networks & Security

Duty Statement

• The Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the secure, reliable and efficient operation and lifecycle management of parliamentary network services. The role combines network engineering expertise with team leadership, service management, stakeholder engagement, commercial oversight and clear communication with technical and non-technical audiences.
• The position supports LAN, WAN, gateway, firewall, load-balancing, wireless, software-defined networking, zero trust and cloud networking capabilities. It provides authoritative technical advice, coordinates incidents and changes, supports projects and procurement activities, and works with internal teams, vendors and service partners to achieve business outcomes.
• As Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations, your key responsibilities will be:
  • Lead and contribute to the operation, engineering and sustainment of secure enterprise network services, including routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, zero trust and cloud connectivity.
  • Provide technical leadership for complex incidents, problems and changes; analyse performance, capacity, availability and security; and coordinate timely restoration and improvement of services
  • Lead, coach and coordinate technical staff, set clear priorities and expected outcomes, allocate work and resources, and build capability while remaining able to undertake hands-on technical work when required.
  • Support the planning and coordination of network projects and BAU lifecycle activities from design and procurement through transition, operation and disposal, ensuring milestones, dependencies, risks, budgets and benefits are actively managed.
  • Develop and maintain network standards, operating procedures, technical documentation, support models, disaster recovery arrangements and service continuity plans.
  • Apply relevant security and governance requirements, including the Information Security Manual, Essential Eight, Protective Security Policy Framework, Commonwealth Procurement Rules and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act.
  • Build productive relationships with business areas, ICT teams, vendors and service partners; translate complex technical matters into clear advice; and negotiate practical solutions that meet operational and strategic needs.
  • Support procurement and commercial activities, including development of requirements, evaluation of proposals, contract and vendor performance management, purchase orders, invoices and financial tracking.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and architecture options, contribute to forward planning and investment decisions, and identify opportunities for automation, resilience, security and service improvement.
  • Prepare concise briefings, reports, risk assessments and recommendations for senior management and governance forums, and represent the section in operational, project and stakeholder meetings.

Selection Criteria

Technical expertise: Demonstrated experience designing, operating and supporting secure enterprise network services, with sound knowledge of routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, zero trust and cloud networking.

Operational judgement: Proven ability to lead the resolution of complex incidents and problems, assess technical and security risks, implement controlled changes, and improve service availability, performance, capacity and resilience.

Leadership and delivery: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and deliver operational and project outcomes while contributing directly to technical work when required.

Stakeholder engagement and communication: Demonstrated ability to build effective internal and external relationships, translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences, negotiate outcomes and provide clear, concise and evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders.

Commercial and governance capability: Experience supporting procurement, contract and vendor management with an understanding of relevant Commonwealth security, procurement and accountability frameworks.

Strategic thinking and improvement: Ability to evaluate emerging technologies, align technical decisions with organisational outcomes, develop practical policies and procedures, and drive continuous improvement, innovation and automation.

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 a APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $123,114 - $140,567 per annum.

Commencement salary could be negotiated with the successful candidate.