Director, HR Operations and Service Management

Australian Government Security Clearance; Canberra; On-site; AUD 160,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Government Security Clearance in Canberra seeks a Director, HR Operations and Service Management to lead the HR Operations and Service Management Team, a group of around 25 staff delivering payroll for MOP(S) Act employees and driving payroll system improvements.

You will partner with Ministers’ offices, Parliamentarians and internal stakeholders; provide strategic guidance, governance and reporting; contribute to a constructive branch culture and high performance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll operations in large public sector organisations.
• Ability to develop and implement payroll governance and reporting frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management across Ministers, Parliamentarians and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the HR Operations and Service Management Team (≈25 staff).
• Oversee delivery of accurate, compliant payroll services for MOP(S) Act employees.
• Build and maintain relationships with Ministerial offices and partner agencies to resolve payroll issues.
• Ensure timely, insightful reporting on payroll pay, entitlements, and conditions.
• Manage governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.
• Contribute to a positive branch culture and high-performance leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Payroll management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

People management

Job description

Director, HR Operations and Service Management

• Business Enabling Services Group / Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (BES) Division / HR Frameworks (BES/MaPS) Branch

ABOUT THE BRANCH

Ministerial and Parliamentary Services sits at the intersection of people, policy and Australia’s democratic institutions. A career in the Human Resources Frameworks Branch gives you a front-row seat to democracy, supporting the employment framework and services that enable parliamentarians and their staff to do their work.

Our work is interesting, fast-paced and highly visible. It calls for people who can combine sound technical HR or payroll capability with strong judgement, adaptability and the ability to work well with a broad range of stakeholders. In this branch, you will have the opportunity to use your expertise, build trusted relationships and contribute to work that matters across the parliamentary workplace. We are looking for people who will contribute to a positive and respectful branch culture, including leaders who build high-performing teams where people are supported, accountable and able to do their best work.

The branch is responsible for:

• delivering payroll services for approximately 2,300 MOP(S) Act employees across Australia, supported by HR Helpdesk and IT systems support
• developing and delivering the MOP(S) Act employment framework, in consultation with relevant agencies and employees
• administering HR services for the MOP(S) workforce
• advising Ministers and other stakeholders on policy matters relating to legislation administered by the Department
• providing policy advice on reforms to Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, including contributing to implementation of recommendations from Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.

• Business Enabling Services Group / Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (BES) Division / HR Frameworks (BES/MaPS) Branch
• Executive Level 2 ($160,177 - $188,578) | Ongoing | Full-time
• Canberra, ACT

ABOUT THE BRANCH

Ministerial and Parliamentary Services sits at the intersection of people, policy and Australia’s democratic institutions. A career in the Human Resources Frameworks Branch gives you a front-row seat to democracy, supporting the employment framework and services that enable parliamentarians and their staff to do their work.

Our work is interesting, fast-paced and highly visible. It calls for people who can combine sound technical HR or payroll capability with strong judgement, adaptability and the ability to work well with a broad range of stakeholders. In this branch, you will have the opportunity to use your expertise, build trusted relationships and contribute to work that matters across the parliamentary workplace. We are looking for people who will contribute to a positive and respectful branch culture, including leaders who build high-performing teams where people are supported, accountable and able to do their best work.

The branch is responsible for:

• delivering payroll services for approximately 2,300 MOP(S) Act employees across Australia, supported by HR Helpdesk and IT systems support
• developing and delivering the MOP(S) Act employment framework, in consultation with relevant agencies and employees
• administering HR services for the MOP(S) workforce
• advising Ministers and other stakeholders on policy matters relating to legislation administered by the Department
• providing policy advice on reforms to Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, including contributing to implementation of recommendations from Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This role leads the HR Operations and Service Management Team, a team of around 25 people responsible for providing payroll services to MOP(S) Act employees, developing reports and assurance on the payroll function, and managing a range of payroll system improvements. The role engages regularly with Ministers' offices and Parliamentarians, and works closely with other branches in the division, as well as the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.

Key duties include:

• Leading and developing the team, including providing strategic guidance, support and oversight to APS 5, APS 6 and EL1 staff.
• Overseeing the delivery of high-quality, accurate and compliant payroll services for MOP(S) Act employees.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with Ministerial offices, partner agencies and internal stakeholders to resolve complex payroll and employment matters.
• Ensuring the provision of timely, accurate and insightful reporting on MOP(S) Act employee pay, entitlements and conditions.
• Managing payroll governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities to support operational excellence and legislative compliance.
• Actively contributing to a positive branch and divisional culture as a member of the branch leadership team, fostering collaboration, engagement and high performance.

DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION

For detailed information about this role, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack, which can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.

ELIGIBILITY ADVICE & CANDIDATE NOTES

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated in the downloadable job pack. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
• We encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with Disability, LGBTQI+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature aged people.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• For specific questions relating to this job vacancy (including requests for adjustments), please refer to the details on the contact officer located in the downloadable job pack.
• We can provide adjustments, including alternate formats of the application form, to the recruitment process for candidates including individuals with disability. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process (including alternate formats or have an enquiry about the support provided, please contact the Recruitment team via [e-mail] or call [phone] between 8:30am - 5:00pm AESTMonday to Friday.
• For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via [e-mail] or call [phone] between 8:30am - 5:00pm AESTMonday to Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions Opens in new window

Frequently Asked Questions Opens in new window

People Capability Framework - Executive Level 2 Opens in new window

2026/190 - Vacancy Information Pack Opens in new window

2026/190 - Vacancy Information Pack Opens in new window