Director - Employment and Trade Policy

Queensland Government; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Queensland Government in Brisbane is seeking a Director, Employment and Trade Policy to lead policy development across the employment and trade portfolios, oversee Cabinet submissions, and represent the department on interjurisdictional groups. This role drives research, evidence-based policy design and a high-performing, inclusive team culture.

The position requires strategic thinking, advanced policy analysis, and exceptional written advice for Cabinet, Ministers and senior executives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong policy expertise and the ability to analyse complex issues, synthesize evidence and provide clear, well-reasoned advice.
• Communicate with clarity and influence, producing high-quality written advice for Cabinet, Ministers and senior executives.
• Think strategically, anticipating emerging issues and aligning work with goals and the current environment.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve policy outcomes.
• Deliver results by planning methodically, managing risks and issues, and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of policy and legislative advice across employment and trade portfolios.
• Prepare Cabinet and Cabinet Budget submissions, ministerial briefings, amendments, reports and correspondence.
• Represent the department in interjurisdictional groups and forums.
• Lead research and evaluation to build a strong evidence base for policy design.
• Manage the policy team’s work program, resources and risks, and deputise for the Executive Director as required.
• Develop and coach a multidisciplinary team and foster an inclusive, high-performing culture.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Job description

About the role:As the Director, Employment and Trade Policy, you will:- Lead the development of policy and legislative advice, options and analysis across the employment and trade portfolios, in line with the strategic direction set by the Executive Director and the Government's priorities.- Prepare, and oversee the preparation of, Cabinet and Cabinet Budget Review Committee submissions, Ministerial briefings, legislative amendments, reports and correspondence, ensuring advice is accurate, timely and of a high standard.- Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across the department, Queensland Government agencies, the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions, industry and non-government organisations, and represent the department on interjurisdictional working groups and at forums.- Lead research, analysis and evaluation to build a strong evidence base for policy and program design.- Plan and manage the team's work program and policy projects, including priorities, resources and risks, and deputise for the Executive Director as required.- Lead, develop and coach a multidisciplinary team, fostering a safe, inclusive and high-performing culture that values diversity and supports wellbeing and professional growth.What we are looking for:The position requires an applicant who can:- Demonstrate strong policy expertise, with the ability to analyse complex issues, synthesise evidence and provide clear, well-reasoned advice, ideally in a field such as skills, employment, skilled migration, international education or trade.- Communicate with clarity and influence, producing high-quality written advice for Cabinet, Ministers and senior executives.- Think strategically, anticipating emerging issues and aligning the team's work with long-term goals and the current environment.- Build and sustain collaborative, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve policy outcomes.- Deliver results by planning methodically, managing risks and issues, and demonstrating resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement.Refer to the Role Description for a full list of responsibilities and what we are looking for.How to apply:To apply, please submit the below via the SmartJobs application page:- Your current resume.- Provide a covering letter (of up to two pages) addressing the 'What are we looking for' statements and telling us why you are interested in this role and outlining what your motivation is to join us.Please ensure you refer to the Role Description 'Interested in applying' section for more information on what to include as part of your application.We're committed to appointing the best-suited person for each role. This includes considering equity, diversity, respect, and inclusion needs within our agency. We believe that these elements are essential for the success of our team and we strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you require any reasonable adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to reach out to the designated contact for the vacancy.Applications to remain current for 12 months.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.