Assistant Director, Network Engineering and Operations

Australian Department of Parliamentary Services; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free car parking

Gym access

Tennis courts

Swimming pool

Job summary

The Australian Department of Parliamentary Services in Canberra is seeking an Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations. You will lead the Network Operations team within the Cyber Infrastructure, Networks & Security section to ensure secure, reliable network services for Parliament and offices nationwide.

You will guide lifecycle management, incident response and change control, while working with ICT teams, vendors and partners to deliver projects and improvements.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience designing, operating and supporting secure enterprise network services across routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, cloud networking.
• Lead incident resolution, risk assessment, controlled changes and improvements to service availability and resilience.
• Lead and develop technical staff, set priorities and allocate resources for network operations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement: translate complex technical info into clear, evidence-based advice for senior stakeholders.
• Experience with procurement, vendor management and understanding Commonwealth security, procurement and accountability requirements.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and drive automation.
• Knowledge of ISM, Essential Eight and PSPF.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Network Operations team and lifecycle management of parliamentary network services.
• Provide authoritative technical advice and coordinate incidents and changes.
• Support network projects, procurement and vendor management; manage operational and project risks.
• Translate complex technical matters into clear, evidence-based advice for senior stakeholders.

Skills

Networking design and operations

Routing & switching

LAN/WAN

Firewalls

Education

IT/Engineering degree or equivalent

Industry certifications (network/security)

Job description

Assistant Director, Network Engineering and Operations

Australian Department of Parliamentary Services – Canberra ACT

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting an Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations at the Parliamentary Executive Level 1 classification within the Cyber Security Branch.

The Information Services Division delivers ICT services to DPS staff and users of the parliamentary computing network and facilities. Within the Cyber Infrastructure, Networks & Security section, the Network Operations team is responsible for secure and reliable enterprise network services supporting the operations of the Australian Parliament including over 260 electorate offices and Commonwealth offices across Australia.

Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations

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. You will lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and contribute directly to complex technical work when required.

You will provide authoritative technical advice, coordinate complex incidents and controlled changes, and drive improvements in network availability, performance, capacity, security and resilience. Working with business areas, ICT teams, vendors and service partners, you will support network projects, procurement and vendor management, manage operational and project risks, and translate complex technical matters into clear, evidence‑based advice for senior stakeholders.

Alongside meaningful work in a unique environment, Parliament House offers a range of workplace benefits, including free car parking and free use of onsite facilities such as the gym, tennis courts and swimming pool.

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting an Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations at the Parliamentary Executive Level 1 classification within the Cyber Security Branch.

The Information Services Division delivers ICT services to DPS staff and users of the parliamentary computing network and facilities. Within the Cyber Infrastructure, Networks & Security section, the Network Operations team is responsible for secure and reliable enterprise network services supporting the operations of the Australian Parliament including over 260 electorate offices and Commonwealth offices across Australia.

Assistant Director – Network Engineering and Operations

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. You will lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and contribute directly to complex technical work when required.

You will provide authoritative technical advice, coordinate complex incidents and controlled changes, and drive improvements in network availability, performance, capacity, security and resilience. Working with business areas, ICT teams, vendors and service partners, you will support network projects, procurement and vendor management, manage operational and project risks, and translate complex technical matters into clear, evidence‑based advice for senior stakeholders.

Alongside meaningful work in a unique environment, Parliament House offers a range of workplace benefits, including free car parking and free use of onsite facilities such as the gym, tennis courts and swimming pool.

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.