Location: Canberra, ACT or Sydney, NSW
Application Closing Date: Sunday 18-Jan-2026 at 11:30pm AEDT
Classification
SES Band 1
Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for a period up to 12 months)
This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing. The role may be offered as either ongoing or non-ongoing subject to business needs and/or candidate preference. Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled as a specified term vacancy for an initial period of up to 12 months.
Flexible Work
Flexible work is a broad term used to describe a variety of different arrangements about how, when and where work is performed. The authority supports mutually beneficial flexible work arrangements which suit operational requirements. Arrangements may be consistent and regular, such as part time work, working from home a couple of days each week or remotely from another location; or more ad hoc such as varying work attendance times or occasional home based work. Consideration is given to all flexible work requests, approval is not limited to an employee's classification level or caring responsibilities.
About the Authority
TheNet Zero Economy Authority Act 2024 (NZEA Act) established the Net Zero Economy Authority (the Authority) as a statutory agency in December
The Authority is presently establishing itself as a separate entity, including off-boarding from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). The Authority is expected to transition to being a separate entity from PM&C, at which time, all employees will transfer under Machinery of Government (MoG) changes to the Authority.
About the Branch
The Policy and Analysis Branch is responsible for shaping the Authority's strategic policy direction and supporting the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and our Board through robust evidence, analysis and advice. The branch integrates three interdependent functions: Strategic Policy; Monitoring, Research, and Policy Development; and Net Zero Economics. Together, they deliver a coherent approach to understanding and enabling Australia's transition to a net zero economy.
The Strategic Policy team leads the Authority's engagement across government, ensuring policy advice is coordinated and influential in shaping national approaches to regional transition, workforce adaptation and industry transformation.
The Monitoring, Research and Policy Development team undertakes deep analysis of regional progress, enablers and challenges to the transition, developing options and responses to support workers and communities.
The Net Zero Economics team provides a centralised analysis and modelling capability, combining economic analysis, data visualisation and forecasting to guide decision-making and underpin the Authority's programs.
The branch plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Authority's policy advice, data insights and analytical products build understanding, trust and confidence among government, industry and regional stakeholders. It is a key driver in ensuring decisions of the Authority are data-informed, nationally consistent and regionally grounded.
About the Role
The General Manager, Policy and Analysis Branch, is a senior executive leadership role reporting to the Head of Division, Policy and Communications. The position is responsible for leading the Authority's policy, economics and analysis functions, ensuring that insights and evidence inform decision-making by the Head of Division, CEO, the Board and the Government.
This role leads the development and delivery of the Authority's policy agenda and data strategy, shaping how evidence and analysis drive better outcomes for workers, communities and industries in transition. The General Manager oversees the production of high-quality policy advice, national and regional insights, and economic modelling to support the Government's priorities for the net zero economy.
This is a dynamic role offering the opportunity to shape national policy and build an enduring institution that delivers on Australia's economic and social transformation. The role operates in a high-profile environment, engaging with senior officials across Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry, unions and regional leaders. It leads multi-disciplinary teams to deliver policy, data and analysis outputs that are contemporary, innovative and actionable.
Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
* Developing and implementing the Authority's Policy and Analysis Strategy, including enterprise-wide policy priorities, data governance, capability roadmap and operating model.
* Establishing and maintaining an integrated analytics platform to track and assess regional and national transition progress, economic impacts and workforce outcomes.
* Providing authoritative and timely policy advice and analysis to the CEO, Board and Ministers on the net zero transition, economic transformation and regional development.
* Coordinating cross-government and cross-sector collaboration on transition planning, regional investment and labour market policy.
* Ensuring high standards of policy quality, data integrity and evaluation practice across the Authority.
* Leading a high-performing, inclusive and innovative team culture focused on integrity, collaboration and results.
Our Ideal Candidate
The Secretaries' Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours Secretaries expect of themselves and SES, and want to see in leaders at all levels of the APS. You will be expected to model and champion the behaviours outlined in the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours - DRIVE.
Our ideal candidate will be an exceptional public sector leader with strong judgement, a collaborative mindset and a commitment to evidence-based decision making. They will bring a strategic and analytical perspective to complex policy issues and have a demonstrated capacity to lead multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
* A record of achievement in leading complex policy, economic or data functions, preferably related to energy transition, regional development, industry transformation or labour markets.
* Deep experience in developing and delivering policy advice at the executive level, including to Ministers, Boards or Cabinet processes.
* Proven ability to build enterprise data and analysis capabilities, ensuring data governance, modelling integrity and effective communication of insights.
* Highly developed leadership, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence outcomes across governments, industry and communities.
* Integrity, resilience and a values-driven approach aligned with APS leadership expectations and the Secretaries' Charter of Leadership Behaviours.
To demonstrate your fit for this role and put your best self forward, you are encouraged to tailor your resume and pitch to the role and qualities described above.
Integrity and Work Health and Safety
SES leaders are required to exercise the appropriate powers, authority, delegations and discretions under the relevant legislation including the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).
SES leaders must demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and uphold and promote the standard of behaviour set out in theAPS Values, the APS Employment Principles and the APS Code of Conduct. SES leaders must also disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
SES leaders may be considered Officers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). To fulfil their duty under the WHS Act, Officers must exercise due diligence to ensure the Authority complies with its work health and safety duties and obligations. It is the Authority's expectation that all SES Leaders act in a way that is consistent with the obligations of an Officer under the WHS Act.
Identified Position
This position has limited contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers, but is still required to have the capacity and willingness to further develop these skills. 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.
Eligibility
* This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing. The role may be offered as either ongoing or non-ongoing subject to business needs and/or candidate preference. Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled as a specified term vacancy for an initial period of up to 12 months.
* Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At NZEA (PM&C) to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application, unless exceptional circumstances apply (see FAQs in the
* Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated. All NZEA staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
* Successful applicants will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, including a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS, or if they have not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.
Security Clearance Required
Baseline Vetting (Protected)
How to apply
Submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEDT on Sunday, 18-Jan
As part of your application you will need to provide:
* Your resume (maximum three pages)
* A 'one page pitch' telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level
* Your personal details including the details of at least two referees, one of which must be your current or most recent manager.
Contact Officer
John Connor on or
Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.