Assistant Secretary, Communications Branch

Learn how a merit list or pool may be usedApplicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months.
This merit list or pool may be used to fill other vacancies in Barton.
For more information about Merit Lists or Merit Pools please go to APSC's website - The APS Merit Principle.
About your team
Situated within Ministerial Support Division, the Communications Branch provides communications support to the Prime Minister's Office, portfolio Ministers, and the Department. This includes management of media enquiries and media support for the Prime Minister's international visits (both logistical and briefing materials), digital communications, graphic design, social media, multimedia content creation, speechwriting, internal and corporate communication, and strategic communications advice. The Branch has a deep understanding of the Department and its stakeholders and actively collaborates with other Divisions of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).
What you'll be doing
PM&C is seeking an experienced communications leader to manage a team of communications specialists. As the leader of the team, you will deliver high-quality, outcomes-focused media and communications support to the Prime Minister, portfolio Ministers, the Department's Executive, line divisions, and taskforces. You will manage teams specialising in media relations, content production, social media, websites, graphic design, and speechwriting, as well as having responsibility for the Department's library. The role will require a strong awareness and focus on strategic priorities across the portfolio and a deep understanding of Government policies and priorities.
The Assistant Secretary, Communications Branch will be responsible for managing the Department's public-facing digital media presence through quality communication and media strategies that support the Government's and the Department's priorities.
This role involves a high level of stakeholder liaison and collaboration, as well as a strong client focus, in particular with the Office of the Prime Minister, the portfolio Ministers' offices, the Secretary's Office, and the executive more broadly. This includes supporting a range of visits and events, including as part of the Prime Minister's Program.
Why you're the ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate will perform at the SES Band 1 level in accordance with the PM&C SES Band 1 Performance model and demonstrate the APS-wide DRIVE Leadership behaviours.
Our ideal candidate will be an experienced communications leader who:
Has deep experience in delivering media and communications that support key priorities of the Department and meet the needs of government.Has a strong track record of building high-performing teams to drive contemporary, effective, and outcome-focused communications.Builds excellent stakeholder relationships and works collaboratively to deliver results under pressure.Builds communication capability and leads innovation in communication.Drives, models, and advocates a collaborative performance culture for the Branch.Supports delivery of strategic outcomes and events for PM&C and Government in collaboration with teams across Ministerial Support Division.Contributes to the leadership of the Department and represents the Department in high-level discussions and negotiations.Will be a confident, resilient leader who provides high-level guidance to the Senior Executive and liaises comfortably with ministerial offices.Is experienced managing a hybrid workforce.Prior experience working in government is desirable but not essential. We value a broad range of experience from public and private sectors and the diverse perspectives varied experience can bring.
Integrity and Work Health and Safety (SES)
All APS employees are required to comply with the APS Code of Conduct, including to at all times behave in a way that upholds the APS Values and Employment Principles, and the integrity and good reputation of their agency and the APS. This ensures public trust in the impartiality and reputation of the APS. Employees must also disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
SES leaders in particular are required to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, uphold and promote the APS Values and Employment Principles by personal example and other appropriate means. To learn more, refer to the APS Values and Code of Conduct in Practice.
SES leaders who make, or participate in making, decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part, of PM&C (as the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking, PCBU) are regarded as an Officer for the purposes of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). To fulfil their duty under the WHS Act, Officers must exercise due diligence to ensure PM&C complies with its work health and safety duties and obligations. It is PM&C's expectation that all SES Leaders act in a way that is consistent with the obligations of an Officer under the WHS Act.
Identified position
This vacancy is Identified, meaning eligible candidates must address in their application their level of cultural competency and their ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and colleagues. Candidates are strongly encouraged to address this in their initial written application.
This position has limited contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and service providers, but is still required to have the capacity and willingness to further develop these skills. You will require the capacity to attain cultural competency, including:
understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples,ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, andwillingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.The vacancy is open to all eligible candidates and is not restricted to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.
To demonstrate your fit for this role and put your best self forward, you are encouraged to tailor your resume and pitch to the role and qualities described above. It is strongly recommended that you review the vacancies and applying for jobs section of our website prior to applying. Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At PM&C to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
The successful candidate will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS or has not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.
NotesThis role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the PM&C delegate.
Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for an initial period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years.
A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment; however, this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.
Indigenous job seekers are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. If the job is 'Identified', then part or all of the duties impact on Indigenous Australian communities or their representatives.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
Getting to know the Department of the Prime Minister and CabinetThe Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) advances Australia's national interests through high-quality support to the Prime Minister and the operations of Cabinet. PM&C supports the Prime Minister as leader of the Government and of Cabinet and as leader of the country. This positions us both to provide visibility of Government priorities and influence outcomes across all Commonwealth portfolios, state jurisdictions, the Australian Public Service (APS) as an institution, and on the international stage. Our role is to provide fresh thinking and creative advice to government as stewards for the APS. We contribute ideas on the many and varied issues facing Australia, taking into consideration the views and opinions of a range of stakeholders across the private, public, not-for-profit and community sectors. The PM&C team provides pragmatic advice and finds solutions to problems so that Government policies can be effectively designed and implemented. We give particular weight to issues that are important to the Prime Minister. Our focus, put in its simplest terms, is to find new ways to improve the lives of all Australians.
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