The opportunity we have available
Organised within the Chief Operating Officer Group within the department, Information Technology & Data Division’s (ITDD) purpose is to connect people, data, and technology, empowering the department to excel. ITDD is responsible for the consolidated provision and support of stable and secure IT Systems, applications and services to all department users across all States and Territories, including Indian Ocean Territories and Norfolk Island, as well as supporting seven Ministerial offices, and coordination with portfolio entities. ITDD provides the digital collaboration and communications tools necessary to connect a geographically dispersed workforce and to optimise hybrid working arrangements. We manage industry and public facing digital systems, deliver desktop services, oversee cyber security, and provide data, AI, and information management advice to over 2,400 staff, supporting over 30 office locations across Australia.
The IT Front Door and Architecture section is a critical bridge between departmental business areas and technology delivery. It supports business areas to shape and clarify IT-related demand so proposals are evidence‑based, aligned to strategy, and ready to progress through governance and delivery with reduced rework. The EL1 - Assistant Director, Business Architect operates as a senior specialist, working across stakeholders to ensure new IT investments align with strategic goals, architectural standards and enterprise direction.
This role is also designed as a development pathway into Enterprise Architecture, with progressive exposure to enterprise artefacts, governance and architecture practices over time.
The key duties of the position include:
What will you do?
In this role you will:
* Shape demand into decision‑ready proposals: translate business demand into clear, actionable IT requirements; improve the quality and completeness of intake; and help prioritise initiatives based on strategic alignment, capability needs and value considerations.
* Facilitate stakeholder alignment: build strong working relationships across business and IT; translate between business needs and technology considerations; and negotiate practical trade‑offs to resolve conflicting requirements.
* Provide investment assurance and uplift investment readiness: support triage and analysis of new initiatives and technology requests; strengthen business proposals to reduce misalignment and redundancy; and contribute to business case development for IT components (including NPP costings), identifying dependencies, risks and constraints early.
* Maintain business architecture artefacts: develop and maintain a Business Capability Model and related artefacts to identify capability gaps, overlaps and opportunities for transformation; and ensure technology investment aligns to business priorities and objectives.
* Architecture integration deliverables (Front Door → Architecture): produce “architecture‑ready” handover packs for shaped initiatives (problem statement, outcomes, assumptions, constraints, dependencies, key risks and options considered) and support architecture/design assurance activities by ensuring decisions and rationale are captured and traceable.
* Promote user‑centred and accessible outcomes: identify end‑user needs and apply best practice approaches (user research, human‑centred design and service design), ensuring proposals consider whole‑of‑government expectations including digital accessibility where relevant.
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.
To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate your ability to:
* Shape ambiguous demand into structured advice: translate unclear requests into clear problem statements, requirements, options and recommendations suitable for decision‑making.
* Engage and influence stakeholders: build effective working relationships, facilitate discussions, and negotiate outcomes across diverse business and ICT stakeholders.
* Deliver investment assurance: support triage and analysis of initiatives with IT components; strengthen proposals to reduce misalignment and redundant effort; and identify risks, dependencies and constraints early.
* Apply business architecture practices: develop and maintain capability models and use them to identify gaps, overlaps and alignment to business priorities.
* Communicate clearly in executive-ready formats: prepare complex briefs, papers and correspondence that are well‑structured, evidence‑based and easy to consume.
* Bring an Enterprise Architecture growth mindset: demonstrate an understanding of Enterprise Architecture concepts and a willingness to develop deeper architecture capability over time as part of a structured progression pathway.
Cultural capability requirement
The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.
As an EL1 you will be expected to:
* Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes.
* Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
* Champion cultural capability within teams and challenges culturally unsafe practices.
Eligibility
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 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.
Notes
For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for and how to apply, please refer to the position description available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.
Getting to know the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
Our work connects and enriches every Australian community, underpins our economy and society, and empowers our regions. We provide policy advice and deliver programs, projects and services in the infrastructure, transport, communications, sport and arts sectors, supporting our regions, cities and territories. Our staff have the opportunity to work on high profile and diverse national projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of all Australians. We seek people with a wide range of skills and competencies. Whether you write policy, deliver programs, projects or corporate services, or have experience in research, data or technology, we look for employees who are innovative, respectful and professional. We are an inclusive employer and promote, value and support diversity among our employees with the aim of ensuring our workforce reflects, respects and benefits from diverse communities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people. We are committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.