Office Arrangements may be discussed with successful candidate.
Senior Executive Service Band 1 – Assistant Secretary Media and Information Disclosure & Assistant Secretary Strategic Communication Canberra ACT
The key duties of the position include: The Department of Defence is seeking two senior executives to fill the positions: Assistant Secretary Media and Information Disclosure and Assistant Secretary Strategic Communication.
As part of the Senior Leadership Group, you will play a key role in promoting and influencing a shared commitment to the strategic direction of Defence, as most recently detailed in the National Defence Strategy 2024. You will:
Lead and manage a branch practicing inclusive leadership, collaboration and integrity; Demonstrate strong judgement and capitalise on innovative alternatives to resolve complex problems; Effectively challenge the status quo when required; Demonstrate resilience and personal accountability for the quality of advice and delivery of results; Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader, exemplify the Defence Values and Behaviours, and engender a culture of innovation and agility. They will be self-aware, positive in considering and respecting a diversity of ideas and perspectives of others. They will demonstrate the capability to provide timely and accurate advice to senior leaders and Government on complex matters. They will have outstanding judgement, strategic awareness, and parliamentary and media acumen.
As part of this selection process, a Merit Pool of highly suitable candidates will be established to fill current vacancies and any similar vacancies that may arise over the next 18 months.
The Roles Position 1: Assistant Secretary Media & Information Disclosure
Assistant Secretary Media and Information Disclosure (AS MID) leads a branch comprising 7 direct reports and a team of 77 staff and is accountable for the delivery of key Defence communication and information release functions. The role is a critical conduit between Defence and Portfolio Ministers' Offices and regularly briefs senior leaders on current Defence media matters and strategies. The successful applicant will build and maintain strong working relationships across Defence and other Government agencies in support of our Ministers and senior leadership. Strong judgement and communication skills, as well as the ability to work and lead under pressure are essential skills for this role.
The position has unique access and exposure to senior level decision making. The Branch's work directly contributes to the National Defence Strategy by enabling Defence to tell 'our story' and by building and maintaining trust with the Australian community. Areas of responsibility include the management of: media relationships, enquiries and announcements; the ADF Service Newspapers; Defence social media presence and policy; digital media services including video and photography; Ministerial and senior leadership speechwriting; the release of information under the Freedom of Information and Archives Acts. A minimum Negative Vetting 2 clearance is required.
Position 2: Assistant Secretary Strategic Communication
Assistant Secretary Strategic Communication (AS SC) leads a branch that comprises 14 direct reports and a team of 85 staff who provide strategic communication advice to deliver on the organisational objectives of Defence, in line with Government and Ministerial priorities.
The Strategic Communication Branch has multi-disciplinary communication teams embedded in every Group and Service, and works in partnership to provide strategic communication advice to senior leaders and Ministers, identify media and communication opportunities to maintain and promote Defence's reputation and interests. In addition, the branch supports strategic internal communication at the enterprise level and, through a small Strategic Communication Insights and Planning Directorate, leads and evaluates communication campaigns to ensure consistent and aligned messaging across the Defence enterprise. The AS SC provides leadership to enable a shared sense of purpose and common ways of operating, while supporting the unique communication needs across Defence, and delivering a unified and synchronised approach to public and internal communication.
In addition to providing strategic communication advice on major Ministerial and enterprise priorities, key areas of focus for the role include:
Implementing the Defence Communication Strategy 2024-26; Leading ongoing research activity to inform and enhance our approach to internal communication; Executing agreed communication campaigns and engage with the Defence Committee to agree the next communication areas of focus for Defence; Continuing to improve Defence's ability to evaluate our approach to communication. Contact:
Tricia Searson & Karina Duffey at Executive Intelligence Group
Contact Phone: (02) 6232 2200
Getting to know the Department of Defence The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit
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