Assistant Director Procurement & Commercial Services

at; South Australia; On-site; AUD 118,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal agency in Australia is seeking an Assistant Director for its Procurement and Commercial Services section. The role involves leading a procurement team, ensuring compliance with government policies, and optimizing procurement processes. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in procurement and contract management, along with stakeholder engagement skills. A competitive salary range of $118,588 - $135,251 per annum plus superannuation is offered.

Benefits

15.4% superannuation

Flexible contract duration

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in procurement and contract management within the Australian Government.
• Ability to provide expert procurement advice.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex procurement activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of procurement professionals.
• Drive continuous business improvement in procurement processes.
• Manage procurement planning, tendering, and contract formation.

Skills

Procurement advice

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Problem-solving

Education

Formal qualification in procurement

Tools

Sharepoint

TechnologyOne

Job description

About the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) was formed on 1 January 2019. We work to improve the lives of older people by maintaining the integrity of the aged care system.

As the single independent regulator of Australian Government aged care services, we offer a variety of interesting and challenging jobs across most capital cities.

It is an exciting time to join the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, with major reforms underway to improve aged care in Australia. You will be contributing to our role as the national regulator to safeguard and protect older Australians receiving aged care services.

The Finance and Property Group provides Finance and Property services across the Commission, including the provision of procurement and contract management services and advice. The Procurement and Commercial Services Section takes ownership of the Commission's procurement and contract management framework ensuring we meet our compliance obligations with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and associated Whole of Australian Government policies.

The Commission is looking for opportunities to optimise existing system and procurement and contract management practices to deliver the best practice and cost-effective solutions. The role supports the group with oversight of governance processes of procurements and contracts, whilst contributing to the development of the Commission's strategic procurement plan and providing specialist advice.

About the Team

Join our supportive team, where your contribution is truly valued. We are part of a dynamic and innovative group that is rapidly growing, filled with passionate individuals who want to make a positive difference in Commission culture and service delivery.

We are seeking talented and motivated people to assist us in progressing key priorities of the group, which includes uplifting contract management and procurement practices within the Commission.

About the Role

As an Assistant Director within the Procurement and Commercial Services section, you will lead a small team of procurement professionals to support the Director, Procurement and Commercial Services, the Chief Financial Officer and the Commission through the delivery of procurement and contract management services and advice.

The role may have a primary focus on either Goods and Services or ICT procurements depending on relevant skills and experience. A broad knowledge in managing various procurement and contract types and approaches (for example RFT, panel, collaborative procurements and Limited Tenders) will be of significant advantage. The role will also provide support to the other procurement streams within the section depending on operational requirements.

You will exercise a significant degree of independence (under the support of the Director of Procurement) and perform an important team leadership role in managing and advising on complex Commission-wide procurement activities as well as supporting and advising on contract management across the Commission, ensuring these activities are undertaken in a manner that is compliant with the relevant Commission and Australian Government requirements.

Position Duties

• Act as a key point of contact, and escalation, for the Commission's business areas to engage where required Corporate Division input (Legal Services, People and Culture, Governance and Risk), and ensure business areas efficiently and effectively navigate Consultancy, ICT and other procurements, and enterprise labour hire procurement processes in line with Commission policy and procedures.
• Manage and lead a team of procurement professionals, including providing clear and consistent communication, setting clear performance and behavioural standards, managing performance, delegating responsibility and guiding and developing people.
• Drive continuous business improvement. You will have an eye for opportunity and driving efficiencies particularly strengthening the Commissions internal procurement processes to align and be compliant with the CPRs and associated Whole of Australian Government policies and working collaboratively with the Assistant Director Reporting and Governance to develop and implement new process and procedures.
• Manage, lead and be accountable for procurement planning, tendering and contract formation and initial contract management activities, while ensuring compliance with legislation, procurement policies, processes and procedures.
• Develop and implement procurement related documentation including plans and strategies, risk and performance reviews and other contract documentation in collaboration with other Section and Commission staff.
• Provide input into Procurement and contract reporting in conjunction with the Reporting and Governance team.
• Manage, lead and provide expert advice, assistance and services for procurement policy, technical, commercial, legal, financial investigation and other requirements as applicable in order to support procurement and contract management outcomes.
• Translate and apply legal principles, legislative and mandatory policy compliance obligations and critical commercial procurement risk and performance requirements related to procurement and contract management.
• Ensuring that procurement artefacts are recorded and stored appropriately within Commission tools and applications, for example Sharepoint and TechnologyOne.

Position Eligibility Requirements (Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate the following:

• Provide procurement and contract advice as a trusted specialist to enable effective engagement in tendering processes, including value for money / quality outcomes, contracts, and delivery.
• You will be a motivated and a strong collaborative partner, with extensive experience delivering and advising on complex procurement and contract management activities within the Australian Government environment.
• You must be able to apply practical, sound judgement in achieving procurement and commercial outcomes, understand opportunities and challenges that come from working within a large entity, and contribute to the broader effective operation of the Finance and Property Group, Corporate Division and Commission.
• You will engage in complex problem-solving and identify and manage complex and time-sensitive risks as part of delivering complex procurement and contract management services and advice that will impact the Commission's strategic, political, financial, and operational outcomes.
• You will also be responsible for building and actively managing key stakeholder relationships within and outside the Agency.
• Demonstrated experience within the Commonwealth government in a similar role is essential, and a formal qualification, or significant experience, in procurement and/or contract management, or other relevant professional qualifications is highly desirable.
• Other duties as assigned
• Willing to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance.

Position Notes

• Salary offered will be between $118,588 - $135,251 per annum depending on skills and experience. In addition, 15.4% superannuation will be paid.
• Only candidates who hold Australian citizenship can apply. Appointment is conditional on successfully completing a national police check. For more information, please visit www.apsc.gov.au/citizenship-aps
• Non‑ongoing opportunity will be offered for an irregular/intermittent term. Opportunities will be offered for varying periods up to 12 months with the option to extend to a total of 24 months.
• Merit Pool established through this selection process may be used to fill this or future ongoing or non‑ongoing vacancies.

In your application, please provide a statement of claims against the position eligibility requirements (selection criteria) in no more than 600‑words, including what strengths you would bring to the role, and a copy of your CV.

Please complete the application and submit by 11.30pm (AEDT) Monday 24 November 2025.