Assistant Secretary, Communication Branch

**Assistant Secretary, Communication Branch**

**Title**:
Assistant Secretary, Communication Branch

**Classification(s)**:
SES Band 1

**Employment Type**:
Full-time, ongoing

**Salary**:
Salary package commencing from $225,769

**Business Division**:
People, Culture & Change

**Branch / Section**:
Communication

**Location**:
Canberra

**Security Clearance**:
Negative Vetting Level 1

**Job Reference No**:
46876

**Contact Officer**:
Rachel Houghton

P: (02) 6236 8507

**Closing Date**:
11.59pm AEST, Sunday 27 July 2025
- We invest in, trust and care about our people. We create a fulfilling, flexible and supportive workplace that helps our people achieve their goals. We invest in the tools, systems and training our people need to do their jobs._

**The opportunity we have available**:
We are seeking to fill the role of Assistant Secretary, Communication Branch.

You will be a strategic partner within the department, leading a branch of specialist staff who provide high-quality media and communications advice and services to the department and our ministers. This is a critical role to:

- Clearly communicate information about government and departmental initiatives to promote transparency and build trust, mitigate misinformation and ensure accountability
- Raise awareness of key programs and services to support accessibility and utilisation by intended audience
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders including the government, staff, industry and other government agencies
- Lead the department’s media engagement activities and advise on media issues management
- Keep staff informed about departmental culture, initiatives, achievements and changes to support a cohesive and engaged workforce, and support change management processes.
- Ensure an aligned narrative regarding the department’s corporate strategy, planning and investment program.

**What will you do?**:
The Communications Branch delivers a broad array of communication services (strategic, executive, internal), branding, media liaison and management, social media engagement, event management, creative services (graphic design, photography and video production), speechwriting services and advertising campaigns.

As an Assistant Secretary, you can expect to:

- Build and maintain effective and productive networks across multiple ministerial offices, staff networks, portfolio agencies, government, academia and the private sector
- Ensure there are effective business planning and assurance arrangements to support the delivery of timely and high-quality outputs across the full array of branch functions
- Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies that strengthen the department’s inclusive culture
- Represent the department at a wide range of government, industry and government briefings and committees.

**Who are we looking for?**:
As Assistant Secretary, you will have a critical role in ensuring that both the government and department’s goals, policies and services are clearly, accurately and effectively conveyed to various audiences.
- **Actively lead** - discussing and articulating a positive vision and sense of purpose for the future and empowering people to succeed and have a positive impact.
- **Bring communication and media expertise**- with more than 5 years of senior level experience in the areas of media and communications. Relevant formal qualifications are highly desirable.
- **Achieve results**- marshal resources to deliver on complex projects, programs, and services with resilience and a positive approach to issues resolution.
- **Communicate with influence** - to deliver the required outcomes with intelligence, influence, professionalism, authenticity, and credibility. Listen, understand and adapt to different audiences.
- **Act with integrity and be respectful**- making informed decisions, integrating moral and ethical considerations and establishing realistic goals. Value different perspectives, contributions and background.
- **Drive innovation** - turning innovative thinking into action and make time to engage others in ideas and problem solving. Consider mistakes first as an opportunity to learn.
- **Be collaborative** - demonstrated collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills that build relationships based on understanding, respect, and trust.
- **Culturally Competent** - demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting First Nations Peoples and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively.

**What else can we offer?**:

- Make an impact by supporting Australians in a way that enriches our communities, empowers our regions, and connects all Australians
- Learn from inspiring leaders and build professional networks with others who support innovation and diversity across the department and the wider APS
- Have exposure to, and strategically influence, high profile and exciting projects.
- Receive career advancement opportunities, including professional and capability development that is