Assistant Director, ESS Operations

Are you an experienced business operations leader who thrives in a complex, high-profile and security-focused environment?

The Department of Parliamentary Services is seeking a capable and motivated Assistant Director, ESS Operations to support the effective delivery, governance and sustainment of critical Electronic Security System operations across the parliamentary environment.

This is a key leadership role within ESS Operations, providing strategic business management, operational support, procurement and contract management, executive reporting, financial oversight, workforce planning and continuous improvement. The role acts as a trusted adviser to the Director of ESS Operations and plays an important part in aligning operational activities with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will bring strong judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to operate confidently across business, financial, workforce and governance matters. You will lead and support end-to-end procurement activities, manage contracts and service agreements, prepare high-quality briefs and reports for senior executives, and contribute to practical improvements that enhance efficiency, accountability and operational delivery. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with technical specialists, service providers, security practitioners and senior executives, supporting the delivery of essential security services in a dynamic and sensitive operating environment.

Who we are looking for

This role is well suited to someone who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery, manage competing priorities and build productive relationships across a broad stakeholder group. We are looking for someone with demonstrated experience in business management, governance, procurement, contract management, financial oversight, workforce planning and stakeholder engagement.

Experience in a Commonwealth Government, Parliamentary or security operations environment will be highly regarded, along with knowledge of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, PGPA Act requirements and APS/DPS governance frameworks.

If you are a collaborative, solutions-focused leader who wants to contribute to the effective operation of critical security systems in one of Australia’s most significant democratic institutions, we encourage you to apply.

Job Specific Requirements:

•  The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Confidential/Highly Protected/Secret) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.