Australian Public Service Commission | Assistant Secretary - Communication And Media Branch | Canberra

Merit list/pools and how they will be used Applicants 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/pool may be used to fill other vacancies in Canberra.
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
Assistant Secretary - Communication and Media Branch Canberra ACT
About the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) supports people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future. We contribute to efforts across government to foster a resilient, innovative, and inclusive labour market, and work to support people into safe, secure, and well-paid jobs that meet the needs of employees, employers, and industry.
We are committed to empowering futures, ensuring rights and enriching lives. We support people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future as 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 re-training to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.
With us, your work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. Whether you are engaging in policy development, program implementation, or direct support services, your efforts will have a tangible impact on job seekers, employees, and the economy by giving them a framework to build a future anchored and realised through employment.
It is our ambition to do things differently, to create the 'department of great jobs' – where our people reflect our purpose.
The key duties of the position include: About the Communication and Media Branch
Be where the action happens! The Communication and Media Branch is a fast-paced branch and networks across the high impact work of #teamDEWR. It is a critical function and works right across the department to deliver:
strategic direction and professional advice on a range of corporate affairs and communication activities. specialist advice and assistance in communicating departmental priorities, executive communication, change communication, and promoting a positive, engaged, and inclusive culture at #teamDEWR. specialist advice on the design of communication campaigns, media relations, and public facing information on a range of government programs across the employment, workplace relations, and skills portfolio. The branch leads the corporate affairs function and brand management for the whole department. It undertakes a full suite of communication functions, including media, strategic communication, strategic engagement, campaigns, web publishing, graphic design, video production, live streaming events and webinars, and social communication. The branch works collaboratively with the Executive and business areas to deliver communication solutions, look for strategic linkages, and share corporate knowledge.
About the Role
Reporting to the First Assistant Secretary, People and Communication Division and located within the Corporate and Enabling Services Group, the Assistant Secretary, Communication and Media Branch, will lead and build a team responsible for leading the Corporate Affairs function. This includes wide-ranging communication strategies and services from traditional media, speechwriting, and social media through to strategic internal and external communications, campaigns, and contemporary communications products, to corporate communications and communications delivery capabilities.
To be a strong contender for this challenging and rewarding position, you will have:
a passion for Corporate Affairs and extensive experience in marketing and communications. the ability to strategically engage not only externally but with the senior executive and our people at #teamDEWR. the vision to look across the media landscape and maintain public trust through reputational issues management for a large-scale organisation. experience in anticipating issues and having a proactive approach to planning in support of the needs of the senior executive, program areas, and other key users. You will be a member of the department's senior executive and will work closely with our policy and program areas to advise and support their work and inform the Australian community about our diverse range of programs and initiatives. You will provide high-level advice and support to the Ministers and to the department's Executive and will drive our communication strategies.
To be successful in this position, you will have the following skills and experience:
Exceptional leadership experience in a senior role delivering corporate affairs, communication, and marketing functions. Significant experience in leading multi-faceted teams and functions, including experience in delivering contemporary strategic communication programs and initiatives which cut through. Demonstrated people leadership, with the ability to inspire the team and build a strong culture and enable innovation. Excellent representational and relational management skills. A track record in delivering excellence in customer service. Relevant tertiary qualifications in communication and/or marketing or a related discipline are desirable but not essential. The successful candidate will exemplify the characteristics set out in the SES Band 1 Integrated Leadership System, the APS Leadership Capability Framework, and the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours.
For more information about this role, please see the Candidate Information Pack which is available on the department's website and can be accessed by clicking the 'Apply Now' link.
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.
These are designated security assessed positions. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 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 Identified Position
Due to the nature of our outcomes, policies, and programs, all roles are Identified Positions. All 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 during the recruitment process.
You will require 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, and willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency. 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:
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 perspectives 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.
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