THE OPPORTUNITY
The Department of Finance is seeking high‑calibre senior leaders to join the department as Assistant Secretaries (SES Band 1).
An Assistant Secretary leads a Branch within the Department of Finance and is responsible for shaping its strategic direction, delivering high‑quality outcomes, and ensuring alignment with departmental and whole‑of‑government priorities.
The role plays a key part in applying judgement, providing authoritative advice to senior executives, building organisational capability, managing risk, and representing Finance in targeted cross‑agency and stakeholder forums. The position requires forward‑thinking leaders who translate organisational strategy into operational plans, provide context to others, and manage complex programs in an environment of uncertainty.
The key duties of the position include:
* Setting and delivering the strategic direction for the branch, ensuring alignment with departmental and whole‑of‑government priorities, and contributing to strategic planning, reform initiatives, and transformation programs.
* Providing high‑level, evidence‑based advice to senior executives and senior stakeholders on complex policy, financial, operational, and governance matters.
* Representing the department in forums including intergovernmental committees, parliamentary hearings, and external negotiations, and building and maintaining strong relationships across government, industry, and community sectors.
* Leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of complex and often sensitive programs, policies, and initiatives, ensuring compliance with relevant governance, regulatory, and legislative frameworks.
* Building organisational capability by developing high‑performing teams through coaching, mentoring, feedback, and targeted capability development, and managing workforce planning, succession planning, and resource allocation to achieve results.
* Establishing systems to monitor progress, manage risk, and ensure closure on intended outcomes.
* Fostering a high‑performing, inclusive, and values‑driven culture, and modelling behaviours consistent with APS Values and the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours.
* Embedding innovation, continuous improvement, and evidence‑based decision‑making to enhance departmental outcomes and service delivery.
Eligibility
* 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.
* 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 Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
* RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activities for the vacancy if you choose to opt-in to the scheme, declare you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Further information can be found at https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
Getting to know the Department of Finance
As a central agency of the Australian Government, the Department of Finance (Finance) plays an important role in assisting government across a wide range of policy areas to ensure its outcomes are met. Finance supports the government's ongoing priorities through the Budget process and fosters leading practice through the public sector resource management, governance and accountability frameworks. Finance plays a leading role in advising the government on many of its strategic priorities. We do this through our professional and considered approach to providing advice, developing policy, delivering services and engaging with our clients and stakeholders. Finance's key areas of focus are: - Budget - Business Enabling Services - Commercial - Governance and Resource Management