Assistant Secretary, Strategic Policy & Transformation

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is seeking SES Band 1 leaders to shape its direction and position the department for future challenges. The role requires strategic judgement, executive leadership, and the ability to translate priorities into outcomes across policy, programs, and service delivery.

Leaders will work across branches, engage with senior decision-makers, and drive changes that improve employment opportunities, skills development, and fair workplaces.

Qualifications

• Highly regarded candidates will bring a demonstrated track record of executive leadership, strategic judgement and delivery in complex environments.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications, professional accreditations, executive leadership development or specialist expertise may be advantageous depending on the role and function.

Responsibilities

• Shape direction, not simply respond to it. Understand the environment around your work, identify emerging issues and opportunities and develop a clear strategic direction that connects DEWR's priorities with broader government objectives.
• Bring strategic policy thinking to complex problems. Look beyond the presenting issue to understand underlying causes, connections and consequences.
• Frame choices and solutions. Turn complexity into clear and credible options, surface trade-offs and risks, provide impartial advice to senior executives, Ministers and government.
• Connect strategy with delivery. Ensure ideas can be translated into practical delivery across policy, programs, services, and data.
• Lead beyond organisational boundaries. Build coalitions across DEWR, the APS and external organisations to create shared ownership of outcomes.

Job description

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is seeking SES Band 1 leaders to shape its direction and position the department for future challenges. The role requires strategic judgement, executive leadership, and the ability to translate priorities into outcomes across policy, programs, and service delivery.

Leaders will work across branches, engage with senior decision-makers, and drive changes that improve employment opportunities, skills development, and fair workplaces.