Assistant Director

The Opportunity:

Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous Australians? The NIAA Central Group is offering an exceptional opportunity to join our Darwin office as the Business Services Assistant Director—a pivotal role driving high-impact corporate services across the Northern Territory.

This is more than just a job—it's a chance to lead a passionate team, shape strategic outcomes, and contribute meaningfully to the work of NIAA in some of Australia's most unique and diverse regions.

As the Assistant Director, Business services you will lead the Business Services team, a group of dedicated professionals delivering essential corporate support across NT. Your leadership will ensure the smooth operation of:

Facilities and fleet management

Security and remote property operations

Procurement and contract oversight

Reception and office services

Human resources support and coordination

You'll manage a geographically dispersed team, fostering collaboration and consistency across urban and remote locations. Your strategic oversight will enable NIAA's programs to flourish by ensuring our corporate backbone is strong, responsive, and future-focused. The key responsibilities of the role are:

• monitor operational risks and implement mitigation strategies

• track performance against KPIs and provide actionable insights to senior leadership

• prepare high-quality reports, briefs, and presentations for senior executives and governance committees

• represent the region in national forums and contribute to strategic planning

• mentor and coach team members to build capability and confidence

• support career progression through structured development plans and feedback

• lead projects to streamline operations, introduce new technologies, and improve service delivery

• identify opportunities for innovation in remote service models and regional logistics

• drive the delivery of corporate services with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and service excellence

• oversee regional property and fleet operations, ensuring assets are well-managed and fit-for-purpose.

Our Ideal Candidate

We're on the lookout for a dynamic, strategic leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and is driven by purpose. If you're passionate about making a real difference and have a strong foundation in corporate services, this is your chance to lead with impact.

You bring deep experience across a range of operational functions—facilities, fleet, procurement, HR support, and remote property management—and know how to keep things running smoothly, even in the most challenging settings. You're not just a manager—you're a connector, someone who builds trust and fosters collaboration across teams, communities, and service providers.

You understand the importance of cultural awareness and regional nuance, especially when working in remote and Indigenous communities. Your leadership style is inclusive, empowering, and values-driven—you know how to bring out the best in your people, nurture talent, and create a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills and attributes:

• experience and knowledge in corporate operations, administration, and HR practices, with a solid understanding of government processes and compliance

• a strategic thinker who can see the big picture while managing the details—someone who can lead improvement initiatives and drive operational efficiency

• an effective communicator who can prepare high-quality reports and briefs and confidently engage with senior leadership and governance committees

• a leader who is passionate about talent development, coaching, and mentoring, and who values diversity and inclusion

• resilient, adaptable and able to navigate challenges and lead through change in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment.

What We Offer:

·    We have exciting work with real purpose. We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples—it's our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.

·    We value our employees —they're the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development.

·    Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships — we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders.

This position constitutes an Affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates.

Eligibility:

·    To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.

·    The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.

·    The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check

How to apply:

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you Submit an online application through the NIAA Careers Page by 11:30pm 29-Oct-2025 AEDT.