Assistant Director, Physical Security, Business Operations Support

National Indigenous Australians Agency; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

National Indigenous Australians Agency in Canberra seeks an Assistant Director, Physical Security Practitioner to lead the Agency's physical security program and ensure PSPF compliance. You will provide expert advice, lead staff and manage stakeholders across diverse environments, prioritising safety and resilience.

This senior leadership role requires strategic thinking, strong judgement and proven ability to deliver complex security programs, with oversight of risk controls, audits and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and support high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring and capability development.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, culturally safe and respectful workplace culture.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align priorities and deliver outcomes that support organisational objectives.
• Proven experience leading and delivering complex programs, projects or initiatives in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to identify emerging issues, manage competing priorities and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience in physical security, protective security and security risk management.
• Ability to identify, assess and mitigate security risks, and implement effective security controls and governance frameworks.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to provide trusted advice on complex or sensitive matters.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across government, industry and service providers.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports, briefings and advice for a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate effectively to achieve positive outcomes.
• Professionalism, integrity and resilience when operating in complex and changing environments.
• Relevant qualifications in security, risk management, law enforcement, emergency management or a related field, or equivalent experience, are desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, assessment and management of physical security risks across Agency facilities, assets and operations.
• Develop, implement and monitor physical security strategies, plans and procedures to ensure PSPF compliance and security best practice.
• Support the Director in coordinating security reviews, audits and assessments and provide recommendations to strengthen security outcomes.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and advice for senior executives, security committees and governance forums.
• Ensure a safe and secure environment for employees, contractors, visitors and Agency assets.
• Manage access control systems, security zoning requirements and physical security measures for Agency sites.
• Monitor security performance, identify emerging risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Manage and oversee the delivery of contracted security services, including guarding, secure destruction, locksmithing and specialist security consulting services.
• Liaise and build productive relationships with law enforcement agencies, intelligence partners, emergency services and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategic planning, business continuity, fraud control and other organisational initiatives where security requirements must be considered.
• Lead and support projects relating to security enhancements, facility upgrades and new site establishment.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to staff while supporting capability development and a positive team culture.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching & mentoring

Strategic thinking

Security risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Communications & reporting

Decision making

Education

Security/risk management qualification

Law enforcement / emergency management qualification

Job description

The Assistant Director, Physical Security Practitioner is a key leadership role within the Branch Leadership Team, responsible for delivering the Agency's physical security program and ensuring compliance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).

Working under broad direction from the Director, the successful candidate will provide expert advice on physical security and protective security risk management, while leading staff, managing stakeholder relationships and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The role requires a high level of judgement, strategic thinking and the ability to manage complex security risks across diverse operational environments.

As a leader, you will contribute to branch performance by overseeing security programs, managing resources, and fostering a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture. You will engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives, security service providers, law enforcement agencies, emergency services and industry specialists.

In this role, you will:

• lead the identification, assessment and management of physical security risks across Agency facilities, assets and operations
• develop, implement and monitor physical security strategies, plans and procedures to ensure compliance with the PSPF and security best practice
• support the Director in coordinating security reviews, audits and assessments and provide recommendations to strengthen security outcomes
• prepare high-quality reports, briefings and advice for senior executives, security committees and governance forums
• ensure a safe and secure environment for employees, contractors, visitors and Agency assets
• manage access control systems, security zoning requirements and physical security measures for Agency sites
• monitor security performance, identify emerging risks and implement effective mitigation strategies
• manage and oversee the delivery of contracted security services, including guarding, secure destruction, locksmithing and specialist security consulting services
• liaise and build productive relationships with law enforcement agencies, intelligence partners, emergency services and other key stakeholders
• contribute to strategic planning, business continuity, fraud control and other organisational initiatives where security requirements must be considered
• lead and support projects relating to security enhancements, facility upgrades and new site establishment
• provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to staff while supporting capability development and a positive team culture

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a motivated and capable leader with strong physical security expertise and a demonstrated ability to deliver strategic and operational outcomes in a complex environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• demonstrated ability to lead, develop and support high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring and capability development
• commitment to fostering an inclusive, culturally safe and respectful workplace culture
• strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align priorities and deliver outcomes that support organisational objectives
• proven experience leading and delivering complex programs, projects or initiatives in a dynamic environment
• ability to identify emerging issues, manage competing priorities and drive continuous improvement
• demonstrated experience in physical security, protective security and security risk management
• ability to identify, assess and mitigate security risks, and implement effective security controls and governance frameworks
• sound judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to provide trusted advice on complex or sensitive matters
• strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across government, industry and service providers
• excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports, briefings and advice for a range of audiences
• proven ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate effectively to achieve positive outcomes
• professionalism, integrity and resilience when operating in complex and changing environments
• relevant qualifications in security, risk management, law enforcement, emergency management or a related field, or equivalent experience, are desirable

What We Offer

• We have exciting work with real purpose. We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples- it's our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.
• We value our employees - they're the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development.
• Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships - we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders.
• To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
• The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 2 level security clearance or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
• The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check