EL1 - Assistant Director, Strategic Communication Branch

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available 

The Communication Branch is seeking 2 motivated and creative Assistant Directors to join our Strategic Communication team on an ongoing basis.

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communication, you will work in a dynamic and innovative team to deliver integrated communication strategies and provide high quality communication advice and products to clients across the department. You will have a demonstrated ability to understand the communication environment in which you operate, proactively identify communication opportunities, and deliver creative communication solutions. You will have a proven ability to successfully manage multiple priorities to achieve results. You will also facilitate Ministerial engagement opportunities, working closely with business areas, government and industry stakeholders.

What will you do?

Key duties include: 

• Managing and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Minister’s office, liaising closely with program and policy areas to understand, anticipate and deliver on their strategic communication needs, and working across the Communication Branch to facilitate outcomes.
• Developing and implementing integrated communication strategies that reflect policy/program objectives, recognise and respond to audience communication needs, and are reflective of the communication and policy environment.
• Providing high quality communication advice to key stakeholders both verbally and in writing, as well as developing and delivering engaging content in both digital and traditional formats.
• Providing evidence-based expert communication advice to support the department’s programs and objectives (including formal briefings).
• Measuring the performance of communication activities and developing recommendations to drive community engagement and continually enhance their quality and effectiveness.
• Applying creative approaches to sometimes complex and sensitive issues, and exercise sound judgement, managing small scale advertising and research projects, and managing the procurement of specialist communication services.
• Identifying engagement opportunities with internal and external stakeholders, maintaining a forward planner, and developing meeting and event briefs to facilitate Ministerial engagement.
• Contributing to the direction, leadership and culture of the Communication Branch, including mentoring junior team members.

Who are we looking for? 

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 1 Work level standards.

The successful candidates will have proven experience developing and implementing high quality, multi-channel communication strategies. You will have demonstrated an ability to understand the communication environment in which you operate, and “think outside the box” to deliver creative communication solutions.

You will have a positive and proactive approach in identifying opportunities to promote departmental policies and programs and Ministerial engagement opportunities. You will be able to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a high-pressure communication environment due to your excellent project and time management skills.

You will have highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into easily digestible key messages and digital formats tailored to target audiences.

You will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including Ministerial offices, senior executives, client areas and external suppliers.

You will also have experience in managing a small team to build culture, performance and deliver results. You will lead and work alongside your team members to deliver results, coach and mentor and create an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Optimise and deliver results

• Engage successfully with stakeholders

• Communicate with influence

• Demonstrate the skills and expertise outlined in the position description.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Managing and building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing integrated communication strategies, and identifying engagement opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Providing high quality communication advice to key stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Developing and delivering engaging content in both digital and traditional formats.
• Measuring the performance of communication activities.
• Exercising sound judgement, managing small scale advertising and research projects, and managing the procurement of specialist communication services.

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability, and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer?

We offer a range of professional benefits and opportunities to help you build your skills, experience and networks:

• A positive, inclusive, supportive and high-performance culture where you can make a real contribution.
• Exposure to high profile and exciting projects on diverse topics.
• Gain experience across a range of communication disciplines, including the chance to work with teams across our branch to deliver projects, and with a wide range of clients across the department.
• Networking opportunities across the department and wider APS.
• Flexible working arrangements where appropriate, including part-time hours and home-based work.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Clearance Level.  You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.  You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances.  More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
• Qualifications: Formal qualifications in Communication/Journalism/Public Relations is desirable

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 19 November 2025

Applications close: 3 December 2025

Application shortlisting: 5 December 2025

Further assessments: 11 December 2025

Selection report finalised: 19 December 2025

Offers and announcements: 12 January 2025

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, 3 Wednesday December 2025.

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than 2 pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than 3 pages.The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.

Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email [email protected] 

Work with us. Apply now!