Deputy Commissioner Investigations

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources in Melbourne seeks a strategic leader to guide the Commission's investigations program and deliver high‑quality regulatory outcomes.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, exercise sound judgement, and build productive relationships with industry, government and international partners while driving reform and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in regulatory or investigations settings.
• Experience managing a large team and multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice on complex issues.
• Experience leading organizational change and continuous improvement.
• Qualifications in law, economics, accounting, commerce or public policy desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Commission's investigations program including anti-dumping and countervailing cases.
• Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage a large team with clear priorities and resources.
• Drive performance and continuous improvement across investigations.
• Ensure integrity and procedural fairness in investigations.
• Advise the Commissioner and government on complex issues.
• Build relationships with industry, government, and international stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategic leadership and reform as a member of the executive.

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic advisory

Change management

Education

Law or related field

Job description

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources – Melbourne VIC

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the Commission

The Australian Trade Remedies Commission is a best practice regulator and a leading international trade remedies authority. We exist to support the Australian economy by securing a level playing field for local industry by investigating and remedying unfair international trade practices including dumping, subsidies and import volume surges.

The Commission delivers against the Minister’s Statement of Expectations to ensure a more timely, effective and accessible trade remedies system, and to contribute to a Future Made in Australia.

The Commission is undergoing significant reform, including operating model improvements, legislative reform, capability uplift, and the establishment of a safeguards function.

At the Commission, you can do meaningful work that has a real impact on Australian industry and the economy, while building specialist expertise in a supportive, flexible and values-driven environment with a united culture that values trust, safety and continuous improvement. We invest in our people, encourage continuous learning, and empower staff to shape the future of a modern, best-practice regulator.

Investigations branch

The Investigations Branch is responsible for delivering the Commission's core anti-dumping and countervailing functions by investigating allegations of unfair international trade practices and providing recommendations on appropriate remedies. The branch undertakes complex anti-dumping, countervailing and related trade remedies investigations, verifies information provided by Australian and overseas parties, conducts economic and financial analysis, and prepares advice and recommendations which are published on the Commission’s website.

It works closely with Australian manufacturers, importers, exporters, foreign governments and legal representatives to ensure investigations are robust, evidence-based and consistent with Australia's legislative and international obligations.

The branch manages a dynamic caseload of complex matters, including investigations, reviews and assessments, while driving continuous improvement in case management, technical capability and regulatory practice. Staff regularly undertake domestic and international verification activities, prepare high-quality reports and ministerial advice, and contribute to maintaining the Commission's reputation as a leading international trade remedies authority.

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate is a strategic and influential leader who can deliver complex regulatory outcomes in a high-profile environment. They will bring exceptional judgement, integrity and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through complexity and change.

They will analyse complex evidence, balance competing priorities and deliver timely, high-quality outcomes while upholding procedural fairness.

As an authentic and collaborative executive, they will foster a positive culture and help shape the Commission’s reform agenda.

Experience

• Senior leadership experience in a regulatory, investigative, policy or operational environment, including oversight of complex investigations, reviews or regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing a large team, competing priorities, risk and performance.
• A track record of providing strategic advice on complex and sensitive issues and influencing diverse stakeholders.
• Experience leading organisational change, capability uplift and continuous improvement.
• Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in law, economics, accounting, commerce, public policy or a related field are desirable.

Skills and knowledge

• Strong knowledge of regulatory investigations, administrative decision-making and risk management.
• Ability to analyse complex economic, commercial and evidentiary matters and exercise sound judgement.
• Highly developed strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across government, industry and international stakeholders.
• Knowledge of trade remedies, international trade, economics, law or a related regulatory field is highly desirable.

The key duties of the position include:

• Lead the Commission's investigations program, including anti-dumping and countervailing investigations.
• Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams undertaking complex investigations, verification activities and evidence-based analysis.
• Lead and manage a large team, delivering through people by setting clear priorities, organising work and resources, motivating and recognising staff, and maintaining strong operational oversight to achieve timely, high-quality outcomes.
• Drive operational performance, case management excellence and continuous improvement across the investigations function.
• Ensure investigations are conducted with integrity, procedural fairness and technical rigour to maintain confidence in Australia's trade remedies system.
• Provide authoritative advice to the Commissioner, senior executives and government on complex trade remedies, regulatory and strategic issues.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with industry, government agencies, foreign governments and international stakeholders.
• Contribute to the strategic leadership, governance and ongoing reform of the Commission as a member of the executive leadership team

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Melbourne based, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Getting to know the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)

The department’s Enterprise Agreement and policies provide for a flexible working environment to assist staff balance their work and home life. Staff and managers work together to balance the operating needs of the department with the needs of the individual. Options may include full time/part time working arrangements, working from home or other arrangements.Our employees say they recommend our department as a good place to work. Our workplace is one that encourages and supports all employees to have a sense of belonging and a culture that allows them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.Our reconciliation vision supports a workforce with opportunities and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The vision allows them to feel empowered and helps to ensure that the department and broader community can benefit from the knowledge and experience of Australia’s First Peoples.We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, nationalities and backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, mature age, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people of the LGBTIQA+ community and people with disability.The department wants to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their full potential during a recruitment process. We encourage candidates who require any adjustments or support as part of the recruitment process to reach out and discuss them with the job’s contact officer. Candidates are also welcome to contact our Inclusion team at *********@industry.gov.au for a confidential discussion if you identify from any of these diverse backgrounds and would like to discuss how we can support you.