First Assistant Secretary, Enterprise Technology Division (Identified Position)

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR); Canberra; On-site; AUD 210,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) in Canberra seeks an exceptional technology leader to serve as First Assistant Secretary, Enterprise Technology Division, acting as CIO and CISO. You will oversee enterprise platforms, cyber security capabilities and operational ICT services across the department and partner agencies.

You will shape technology strategy, drive transformation, and ensure secure, sustainable outcomes while balancing governance, resources and Innovation across

Qualifications

• Extensive senior executive experience leading ICT and digital services within a large government department.
• Experience as Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer or equivalent senior technology executive.
• Tertiary qualifications in information technology, computer science, engineering, cyber security, business or related discipline.
• Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CGEIT, SABSA, ITIL, TOGAF or equivalent are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Shape the department's technology future through enterprise technology strategy, architecture and investment priorities to support objectives and transformation.
• Deliver secure, reliable enterprise services across the department and partner agencies with focus on service quality and resilience.
• Strengthen cyber security governance, assurance activities and incident response coordination.
• Drive technology-enabled transformation using data and innovation to improve capability and service delivery.
• Oversee major technology investments, budgets, procurement activities and partnerships to ensure value for money and risk management.
• Build enduring leadership and capability, developing future leaders and organisational resilience.
• Influence across government, industry and partner agencies to advance whole-of-government technology and digital agendas.
• Advance inclusive technology capable of Closing the Gap by considering user needs and accessibility.
• Contribute to enterprise leadership with senior colleagues to set direction and culture.

Job description

First Assistant Secretary, Enterprise Technology Division (Identified Position)

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) – Canberra ACT

About the Enterprise Technology Division

The Enterprise Technology Division (ETD) provides the technology foundations that enable DEWR and partner agencies to deliver services, support operations and achieve strategic outcomes.

The division is responsible for enterprise platforms, cyber security, infrastructure, cloud services, digital workplace technologies, service management, architecture and technology governance. It ensures technology environments are secure, reliable and scalable, while supporting innovation and organisational transformation.

Working closely with business areas, partner agencies and the Digital Experience and Solutions Division, Enterprise Technology Division plays a critical role in enabling modern, connected and high-performing government services.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional technology leader to help shape DEWR's future and ensure the department is positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving digital environment.

As First Assistant Secretary, Enterprise Technology Division, you will serve as the department's Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, leading the technology platforms, cyber security capabilities and operational ICT services that underpin the department's work and support a number of partner agencies.

Beyond leading a significant technology function, you will contribute to enterprise-wide decision-making and strategic stewardship across DEWR. You will help shape the department's approach to technology, cyber security, digital enablement and organisational transformation, ensuring technology investments deliver secure, sustainable and impactful outcomes.

Supporting a complex, multi-agency environment, you will balance operational excellence with long-term strategic thinking. You will anticipate emerging risks and opportunities, guide major technology decisions and create the conditions for innovation, resilience and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the First Assistant Secretary, Digital Experience and Solutions Division, you will help ensure technology, data and digital capabilities work together to support the department's priorities, service delivery objectives and future ambitions.

As an SES Band 2, your success will be measured not only by the performance of Enterprise Technology Division, but by your contribution to the capability, culture, governance and long-term stewardship of DEWR as a whole.

The key duties of the position include:

• Shape the department's technology future. Lead the development of enterprise technology strategy, architecture and investment priorities, ensuring technology supports departmental objectives, enables transformation and positions DEWR for future challenges and opportunities.
• Deliver secure and reliable enterprise services. Oversee the provision of stable, high-performing and customer-focused technology services across the department and partner agencies, maintaining a strong focus on service quality, resilience and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen cyber security and organisational resilience. Lead the department's cyber security strategy, governance and assurance activities, ensuring risks are managed appropriately and responses to emerging threats are effective and coordinated.
• Drive technology-enabled transformation. Use technology, data and innovation to improve organisational capability, enhance service delivery and support better outcomes across the department and partner agencies.
• Steward public resources responsibly. Provide oversight of significant technology investments, budgets, procurement activities and commercial partnerships to ensure value for money, effective risk management and strong public sector stewardship.
• Build enduring capability and leadership. Develop future leaders, strengthen organisational resilience and cultivate the capability, culture and expertise required to deliver current priorities while preparing for emerging challenges and opportunities.
• Influence beyond organisational boundaries. Establish trusted relationships across government, industry and partner agencies, representing the department in senior forums and contributing to whole-of-government technology, cyber security and digital agendas.
• Support Closing the Gap through technology leadership. Ensure technology strategies, platforms and digital services are designed with inclusion, accessibility and user needs in mind, partnering with First Nations stakeholders where appropriate and considering how technology can improve outcomes and access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
• Contribute to enterprise leadership. Work collaboratively with the Secretary, Executive and senior leaders to strengthen organisational performance, capability and culture while supporting the department's long-term strategic direction.

Eligibility

Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.

This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Negative Level 2 security clearance.

This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool. The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months.

Notes

To succeed in this role, you will have a demonstrated track record leading complex technology environments, driving transformation and delivering secure, reliable services at scale. Highly desirable experience and qualifications include:

• Extensive senior executive experience leading large-scale ICT and digital services within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated experience as a Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer or equivalent senior technology executive.
• Significant experience in cyber security leadership, governance and risk management.
• Experience leading major technology transformation, uplift or modernisation programmes.
• Tertiary qualifications in information technology, computer science, engineering, cyber security, business or a related discipline.
• Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CGEIT, SABSA, ITIL, TOGAF or equivalent are desirable.

Getting to know the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)

We are the department that helps job seeking Australians find safe, secure, and well-paid work while we ourselves strive to be a model employer. We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or retraining to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities. Secure jobs are vital—driving future economic growth and providing people with the certainty. We focus on connecting Australians who are starting, advancing or changing their career with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to gain or regain employment. Our work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. It is our unique purpose to help people realise their potential and we want you to be part of it. Underpinning our important work is our focus on culture. We recognise that how we do things is equally important as what we achieve. Our workplace is one where different perspective are encouraged, people feel a sense of belonging and draw on the expertise of their peers. Our people demonstrate the APS Values, which includes being open, thoughtful, curious and candid. We also value employee wellbeing and developing leadership through investment in capability.