Deputy Secretary

The Deputy Secretary, Public Administration Group, provides senior executive leadership within the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), setting strategic direction and delivering innovative, practical solutions to complex and emerging policy issues facing the Victorian Government. The role leads the Group's work to strengthen public administration, drive whole-of-government reforms and ensure the effective delivery of policy, program and governance priorities.

Reporting directly to the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary oversees the provision of high-quality policy advice to the Premier and Ministers supported by DPC, including through Cabinet and intergovernmental processes. The role manages DPC's relationship with the Department of Government Services, coordinates policy implementation and reform initiatives across government, and fosters strong collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders.

The Deputy Secretary contributes to the overall leadership of DPC by building capability, promoting cross-Group collaboration and maintaining effective partnerships across the Victorian, Commonwealth and local governments. Through strategic leadership and coordination, the role supports the achievement of the Government's priorities and advances Victoria's interests in national and intergovernmental forums.

About you

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:

• experience working at an executive level within government.
• People management: Demonstrated effective people management to support and create the conditions for highly-functioning, productive and engaged teams.
• Policy development: Proven experience and demonstrated capacity to identify and address emerging policy issues through high-level conceptual analysis and providing advice to senior stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
• Influence and negotiation: Highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills. Moves senior stakeholders in new directions using strong negotiation techniques in contentious situations to settle differences and achieve program outcomes.
• Relationship building: Proven influencing, negotiation and relationship-management skills in an environment requiring highly developed interpersonal skills, and a proven capacity for highly effective communication with a range of government and non-government stakeholders.
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

For more details regarding this position, please see attached position description for the key selection criteria to address in application.

The closing date for this position is midnight, Thursday, 30th October 2025.

Apply before the advertised closing date, all applications should include:

• a resume
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DPC has a COVID-19 Vacci nation policy which strongly recommends all DPC employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disabilities. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.