The Department of the Senate is seeking applications from those interested in joining the Black Rod's Office in the role of Assistant Director, Senators' Services.
The Assistant Director, Senators’ Services leads the Office Services, Committee Room Support, Senate Hotline, and Assets and Procurement teams. The occupant of this position must demonstrate strong capability in coaching and leading teams, settings priorities, and managing workflows.
The Assistant Director assists the Deputy Usher of the Black Rod in managing the section to ensure the effective delivery of services to senators, their staff, and departmental employees in accordance with legislative requirements, policies, and procedures. The Assistant Director, Senators' Services coordinates procurement activities for the department and represents the department in Senate-side building works, projects, and maintenance activities. This includes liaising and negotiating with parliamentary agency representatives, contractors, service providers, and clients.
Other key responsibilities include undertaking research and analysis, developing procedures, and contributing to performance reporting for the section. The occupant applies their knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks and is expected to have a sound understanding of the Commonwealth's financial management and procurement frameworks.
The Assistant Director, Senators’ Services also performs ceremonial and security-related duties in the Senate chamber as an Assistant Usher of the Black Rod and must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgement in carrying out their duties.
The key duties of the position include:
* Manage the delivery of high‑quality services to senators, their staff, and departmental employees across Parliament House, including accommodation, office services and equipment, transport, stores and stationery, and procurement. This includes the effective administration of Service Level Agreements, contracts, and Memoranda of Understanding.
* Contribute to the effective management of the Senators’ Services section by leading teams, setting priorities, managing workflows and building team capability through coaching, feedback, and staff development.
* Monitor, interpret, and provide advice on legislative, policy, and procedural requirements relevant to the section’s responsibilities. This includes undertaking research and developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.
* Represent the Department of the Senate in the planning and delivery of capital works and projects on the Senate side of Parliament House. Responsibilities include liaising and negotiating with agency representatives, contractors, service providers, and clients to ensure high‑quality project outcomes and alignment with departmental needs.
* Assist with the administration of applications and approvals, including Authority to Work (ATW) applications, filming and photography requests, and applications to use the Authorised Assembly Area within the parliamentary precincts.
* Undertake additional duties as required in support of the Usher of the Black Rod’s Office.
Eligibility
Desirable: A relevant tertiary degree or a Certificate IV or other relevant qualification in commonwealth procurement.
Notes
To apply, you are asked to provide a pitch of no more than 1000 words, detailing your suitability to perform the duties of the position, along with a copy of your CV or résumé.
The Department of the Senate is committed to being an inclusive employer. We aim to provide a supportive, flexible, and fair workplace that recognises the diversity within the Australian community, where all employees feel respected, valued and supported to best contribute to our work. We encourage applications from First Nations' people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, mature aged employees and people with caring responsibilities.
Getting to know the Department of the Senate
The Department of the Senate provides the secretariat to the Senate – enabling its legislative and accountability activities – and to dozens of parliamentary committees, whose work encompasses the Senate’s scrutiny functions and its exercise of Parliament’s broad inquiry powers. In doing so, departmental officers provide the Senate, its committees, the President and other senators expert, impartial advice about Senate and committee operations. We publish the Senate’s records, and produce an array of information resources so that people may understand and engage in its work. With our colleagues across the Parliamentary Service we also provide specialised advice and logistical support to senators so they may undertake their duties.