- Canberra
- Applications close 28 August
- The salary range for this role is $126,391 - $134,225
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:
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Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
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Investing in science and technology
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Strengthening the resources sector.
The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.
If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.
Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.
The Performance and Behaviours Team is a specialist function within People Branch that supports a high-performing, respectful and accountable workplace culture across the department. We partner with leaders to build capability, strengthen performance and address complex workplace behaviour matters, ensuring managers are equipped to lead effectively, and employees understand the standards expected within the Australian Public Service.
Our team provides strategic advice and leads the management of complex performance, conduct and workplace behaviour matters. We are focused on continuous improvement and innovation, driving contemporary people management practices that strengthen leadership capability, promote accountability and support positive workplace cultures. Through our work, we help shape organisational approaches to performance excellence, behavioural standards and workforce effectiveness across a nationally dispersed organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leadership role in shaping the department's approach to performance management and workplace behaviours.
As an EL1 Assistant Manager, you will lead complex and sensitive workforce matters while contributing to the ongoing evolution of performance and behavioural frameworks across the department. You will work closely with senior leaders to drive better people management outcomes, identify emerging workforce risks and implement solutions that strengthen capability, accountability and organisational performance.
Beyond managing complex cases, you will have the opportunity to influence policy, improve business processes and help implement innovative people management approaches that support a contemporary, high-performing public sector workforce.
In this role you will:
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Lead strategically significant workforce matters across the department.
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Influence how performance management is delivered across a large APS organisation.
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Drive improvements to people management frameworks, systems and practices.
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Partner with senior leaders to strengthen workforce capability and accountability.
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Contribute to innovative approaches that improve employee and organisational performance.
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Lead initiatives that shape positive workplace cultures and behavioural standards.
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Develop expertise in organisational risk, workforce performance and strategic HR leadership.
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Build your experience leading change and continuous improvement within a specialist HR function.
This role offers a unique opportunity to move beyond case management and contribute to the design, implementation and continuous refinement of best-practice performance and workplace behaviour frameworks that have a lasting impact across the department.
We are seeking an experienced HR professional who combines strategic thinking with practical problem-solving and thrives on improving how organisations manage performance, accountability and workplace behaviour.
You will be a trusted adviser who can confidently navigate complex people matters, influence senior stakeholders and identify opportunities to strengthen people management practices across the department. You will bring a continuous improvement mindset and enjoy challenging the status quo to deliver contemporary, fit-for-purpose solutions that support organisational performance and positive workplace culture.
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:
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The ability to provide strategic, evidence-based advice on complex performance, workplace behaviour and employee relations matters.
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Strong judgement and decision-making skills when managing sensitive, high-risk or complex issues.
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Experience influencing senior leaders and guiding them through challenging workforce matters.
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The ability to identify systemic issues and drive sustainable improvements to policies, frameworks, processes and service delivery.
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Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess risks, identify trends and develop practical solutions.
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Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, persuasive and defensible advice, briefs and reports.
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A collaborative leadership style that builds capability, fosters accountability and promotes positive workplace outcomes.
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Experience leading projects, implementing change or driving business improvement initiatives.
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A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and contemporary people management practices.
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The ability to balance strategic objectives with operational requirements to deliver quality outcomes.
We welcome candidates from a range of professional backgrounds, including human resources, employee relations, workplace relations, organisational development, investigations, public administration, employment law or other related disciplines.
The successful candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to influence organisational culture, strengthen leadership capability and contribute to the ongoing development of best-practice performance and workplace behaviour frameworks across the department. They will be passionate about helping leaders create high-performing teams while ensuring workplace concerns are addressed fairly, consistently and effectively.
As an EL1 Assistant Manager, you will:
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Lead complex workforce performance and workplace behaviour matters.
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Provide trusted strategic advice to senior leaders.
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Drive innovation in performance and behaviour management practices.
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Lead projects that improve people policies and frameworks.
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Identify systemic issues and implement sustainable solutions.
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Strengthen leadership capability through coaching and mentoring.
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Use data and insights to improve organisational performance.
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Foster a culture of accountability, respect and high performance.
To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must:
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Be Australian Citizens.
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Positions require a Baseline security clearance, and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Desirable qualifications and experience
- Qualifications in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Workplace Relations, Employment Law, Psychology, Business or a related discipline are desirable but not mandatory.
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Experience leading complex performance management, workplace behaviour, employee relations or workforce management matters is highly regarded.
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Experience driving organisational improvement, service innovation, policy development or business transformation initiatives will be well regarded.
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Experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders on complex workforce issues is desirable.
Location and flexible working
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This position is a Canberra based position
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This position requires regular attendance at the office
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Flexible and remote working arrangements may be available in accordance with departmental policies and business needs.
Travel requirements
- Occasional domestic travel may be required to support operational priorities, stakeholder engagement and capability-building activities.
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Working environment
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This role involves managing complex and sensitive workplace matters, including underperformance, workplace behaviour concerns and other high-risk people management issues.
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The successful applicant will regularly engage with senior leaders and work with confidential and sensitive information requiring sound judgement, professionalism and discretion.
Why join us?
This is a unique opportunity to influence the department's approach to performance, accountability and workplace culture. You will help shape best-practice people management frameworks, drive continuous improvement initiatives and implement innovative solutions that strengthen leadership capability and organisational performance across a diverse national workforce.
A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.
Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.
Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.
You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.
Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).
Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact [email protected] or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.
Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.
For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Stacey Smith on 02 6102 9869 or via email on [email protected]
