EL1 - Assistant Director (Multiple Positions), Communications Services and Systems Division

Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts in Sydney, NSW, is recruiting multiple EL1 positions in the Communications Services and Systems Division. The roles focus on policy development, project management and stakeholder engagement at a senior level within a fast-paced government environment.

You will lead analytical work, oversee data-informed advice for ministers, and coordinate multi-team efforts on telecommunications policy,

Qualifications

• EL1 level policy, program and project leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• lead complex policy or analytical work under broad direction
• develop options and recommendations covering benefits, costs, risks and implementation implications
• coordinate consultation and clearance processes, and monitor policy outcomes
• lead data collection, validation and analysis of service availability and usage
• prepare executive/ministerial briefings, submissions and parliamentary material
• build stakeholder relationships and incorporate consultation findings into deliverables
• manage projects with milestones, dependencies and risk controls
• provide guidance, supervise staff where applicable and build team capability
• maintain records and exercise delegations ethically and safely

Job description

EL1 - Assistant Director (Multiple Positions), Communications Services and Systems Division

Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts – Sydney NSW

The Communications Services and Systems Division is the Australian Government’s lead policy adviser on telecommunications policy. We help ensure all Australians can access and benefit from reliable, modern digital technologies and communications services, supporting economic growth, social inclusion and participation in an increasingly digital economy.

Our work includes telecommunications and radiocommunications policy, universal telecommunications service obligations, the universal outdoor mobile obligation, oversight of NBN Co and Australia Post, and policy relating to 5G and 6G mobile, satellite broadband and direct-to-device technology. We also manage legislative and regulatory frameworks for spectrum, telecommunications deployment and resilience, competition and digital inclusion.

We are recruiting multiple EL1 positions. Roles may also be filled across the Communications, Media and Sport Group in areas including program management, project management, stakeholder engagement, evaluation, secretariat functions and multilateral international work. A merit pool will be established for future vacancies.

The work is diverse, high-profile and often fast moving. You may lead work supporting ministers, major policy announcements, legislation, Cabinet and new policy proposal processes, and engage with telecommunications providers, regulators, central agencies, and consumer and community organisations. Some roles will support Australia’s preparations for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 in Shanghai.

The division offers an inclusive, approachable and flexible workplace where people share expertise, support one another and recognise high-quality work.

The opportunity we have available

The Communications Services and Systems Division is the Australian Government’s lead policy adviser on telecommunications policy. We help ensure all Australians can access and benefit from reliable, modern digital technologies and communications services, supporting economic growth, social inclusion and participation in an increasingly digital economy.

Our work includes telecommunications and radiocommunications policy, universal telecommunications service obligations, the universal outdoor mobile obligation, oversight of NBN Co and Australia Post, and policy relating to 5G and 6G mobile, satellite broadband and direct-to-device technology. We also manage legislative and regulatory frameworks for spectrum, telecommunications deployment and resilience, competition and digital inclusion.

We are recruiting multiple EL1 positions. Roles may also be filled across the Communications, Media and Sport Group in areas including program management, project management, stakeholder engagement, evaluation, secretariat functions and multilateral international work. A merit pool will be established for future vacancies.

The work is diverse, high-profile and often fast moving. You may lead work supporting ministers, major policy announcements, legislation, Cabinet and new policy proposal processes, and engage with telecommunications providers, regulators, central agencies, and consumer and community organisations. Some roles will support Australia’s preparations for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 in Shanghai.

The division offers an inclusive, approachable and flexible workplace where people share expertise, support one another and recognise high-quality work.

Key duties of the position include:

What you will do

Working under broad direction, you will lead complex policy or analytical work, exercise sound judgement and bring together research, data and stakeholder insights to develop practical advice that supports government priorities. Depending on the position, you will:

• lead research and analysis of complex communications policy issues, assess evidence and stakeholder views, and develop options and recommendations covering benefits, costs, risks and implementation implications
• lead policy proposals, discussion papers and implementation plans, coordinate consultation and clearance processes, resolve issues across teams and monitor policy outcomes
• lead analytical work with policy teams, identify suitable data sources, oversee data collection and validation, and analyse communications service availability, access and usage
• apply and quality assure analytical methods, identify trends, service gaps and emerging issues, test assumptions and document methods and limitations
• develop and maintain reports, dashboards and visualisations, explain findings and uncertainty to non-technical audiences and improve recurring reporting processes
• prepare and quality assure executive and ministerial briefings, submissions, correspondence, parliamentary material and Senate Estimates briefs
• build productive stakeholder relationships, lead discussions within agreed parameters and incorporate consultation findings into advice and deliverables
• manage projects and competing priorities, establish milestones and quality checks, monitor dependencies and provide practical options to address emerging risks
• provide technical guidance, review work and build team capability. Where supervisory responsibilities apply, allocate work, set expectations, provide feedback and support staff development
• maintain appropriate records, exercise assigned delegations efficiently and ethically, and take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others.

Inherent requirements for the role

The successful candidate will demonstrate capability against the EL1 Work Level Standards and the following core requirements:

• sound judgement and the ability to lead complex work under broad direction
• strong research, critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to integrate evidence and stakeholder perspectives into practical options and recommendations
• high-quality written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, evidence-based advice for senior executives
• the ability to build productive relationships, influence stakeholders and represent the department’s position within agreed parameters
• the ability to lead projects, manage competing priorities and risks, and maintain quality and timely delivery
• leadership skills, including the ability to guide others, review work, build team capability and foster a safe, inclusive and productive workplace.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under theOur Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an EL1, you will be expected to:

• Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes
• Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders
• Champion cultural capability within teams and challenge culturally unsafe practices.

Desirable requirements

For some EL1 roles, qualifications in public policy, economics, law or communications, or equivalent professional experience, are desirable but not essential.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline to NV1, depending on the role. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Getting to know the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Our work connects and enriches every Australian community, underpins our economy and society, and empowers our regions. We provide policy advice and deliver programs, projects and services in the infrastructure, transport, communications, sport and arts sectors, supporting our regions, cities and territories. Our staff have the opportunity to work on high profile and diverse national projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of all Australians. We seek people with a wide range of skills and competencies. Whether you write policy, deliver programs, projects or corporate services, or have experience in research, data or technology, we look for employees who are innovative, respectful and professional. We are an inclusive employer and promote, value and support diversity among our employees with the aim of ensuring our workforce reflects, respects and benefits from diverse communities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people. We are committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.