Assistant Director

Job Details

Job Req ID

NEMA - 142161

Location

ACT 

Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time 

Classification

Executive Level 1 - $125,935.00 to $143,531.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Giorgina Strangio at Giorgina.Strangio@nema.gov.au  

Office Arrangements

Flexible  - Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational requirements of the role.
 

Applications close on 29/10/2026 at 11:59pm AEST (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill 1 immediate position/s. 

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.

About the National Emergency Management Agency

NEMA plays a central role in supporting Australia's emergency management arrangements. Our people are united by a shared commitment to serving the Australian community and strengthening national resilience.

NEMA offers a rewarding and diverse work environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are valued, and where your expertise can make a tangible difference.
 

For further information on NEMA’s purpose, vision and values, please see the NEMA website.

About the role

Two exciting opportunities are available for experienced HR professionals to join the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as Assistant Directors in either Workplace Relations or Performance and Behaviour.

As an Executive Level 1 leader within the People, Governance and Integrity Branch, you will play a critical role in shaping organisational performance, strengthening workforce capability, and supporting NEMA's strategic priorities. You will partner with managers and senior leaders across the Agency, providing trusted advice on complex and sensitive people matters while delivering practical, risk-based and people-centred solutions.

Working in a dynamic and evolving environment, you will lead initiatives that enhance organisational capability, support effective decision-making, and contribute to a high-performing, accountable and inclusive workplace culture. You will identify emerging risks and opportunities, influence outcomes, and drive continuous improvement across key people functions.

Success in these roles requires strategic thinking, sound judgement, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to navigate complexity with confidence. You will bring demonstrated experience managing sensitive workforce matters, balancing competing priorities, and delivering outcomes that support both employee wellbeing and organisational performance.

At times, staff within NEMA may be required to work outside of standard business hours, particularly during the high-risk weather season.

Our ideal candidate

We are seeking motivated and experienced professionals to fill the roles of Assistant Director, Workplace Relations and Assistant Director, Performance and Behaviour. These roles offer an opportunity to make a significant contribution to NEMA's people strategy by providing expert advice, leading complex workforce matters and delivering people-focused outcomes in a dynamic and evolving environment.

For the Assistant Director, Workplace Relations role, you will bring demonstrated expertise in workplace relations, employment legislation, industrial instruments, HR policy and workforce management practices. You will be confident providing authoritative, risk-informed advice on complex employment matters and supporting managers to achieve fair, consistent and compliant outcomes.

For the Assistant Director, Performance and Behaviour role, you will bring expertise in performance management, employee conduct, behaviour management, workplace investigations and case management. You will have the ability to manage sensitive matters with professionalism, sound judgement and a focus on achieving constructive and sustainable outcomes.

Across both roles, you will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent judgement and the ability to balance legislative, policy, operational and people considerations. You will build productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels, communicate effectively in challenging situations and influence positive outcomes.

As a leader, you will foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, support the development of others and contribute to a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance. You will be resilient, adaptable and committed to delivering high-quality people services that support NEMA's strategic objectives.

Most importantly, you will be a people-centred professional who values integrity, works collaboratively and is committed to building a safe, respectful and high-performing workplace.

We encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age people and people from other diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a working environment that values diversity and inclusion and supports staff to reach their full potential.

Duties and responsibilities

Assistant Director, Workplace Relations

• Support the effective management of the workplace relations function, including enterprise agreement interpretation, policy development and interpretation, and legislative compliance
• Provide strategic and operational advice to managers and senior leaders on complex and sensitive workplace relations matters, risks and workforce issues
• Support governance and oversight of employment conditions and payroll-related matters to ensure compliance, effective risk management and continuous improvement
• Foster constructive relationships with unions, employee representatives and key stakeholders to support consultation, engagement and effective issue resolution
• Analyse workforce trends and workplace relations risks, providing insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and organisational priorities
• Build organisational capability through coaching, training and guidance on workplace relations matters
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, setting clear expectations, building capability, and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Assistant Director, Performance and Behaviour

• Manage complex and sensitive employee matters, including underperformance, workplace complaints and misconduct (preliminary inquiries and investigations)
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with managers, employees and key stakeholders to foster constructive engagement, build trust and support effective issue resolution
• Provide advice, coaching and support to managers on performance and behaviour matters, ensuring compliance with the enterprise agreement, policies and procedures, and relevant legislation
• Assess risks and identify appropriate courses of action to support timely, fair and defensible decision-making
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of performance, conduct and integrity frameworks, policies, processes and practices
• Develop organisational capability through mentoring, coaching, training and guidance to managers and employees on performance and behaviour matters
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism and continuous improvement.

Role requirements/qualifications

As an Executive Level 1 leader, you will demonstrate strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to influence organisational outcomes in a complex and dynamic environment. You will build trusted relationships, provide high-quality advice, and deliver practical solutions that support both organisational objectives and a high-performing workforce.

To be successful in these roles, you will demonstrate:

• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying employment legislation, enterprise agreements, policies and industrial instruments.

• Excellent judgement and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, professionalism and discretion when managing sensitive and complex matters.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to build credibility, foster collaboration and influence outcomes at all levels.

• The ability to provide authoritative, risk-informed advice and recommendations on complex workplace issues, supporting effective and defensible decision-making.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify emerging risks, challenges and opportunities, and develop practical, sustainable and people-centred solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build capability and contribute to a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance.

Desirable qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or professional certifications in a related and relevant discipline.

Assessment Process

The recruitment selection process for this round may include one or more of the following:

• Applicant response
• Interview
• Work sample assessment 
• Psychometric testing
• Reference checks.

Applicant response

As part of your application, you will be required to prepare a one-page response document (minimum 11pt font in Microsoft Word or PDF format), which you will upload in the next section.

Please ensure you read the instructions carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

Please prepare a one-page Applicant Response in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• How your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role
• Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

How to apply

Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level Standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership System information relevant to the classification as well as the APSC guidance on Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment. You are required to submit your application in the online recruitment system (ourPeople).

As part of your application, you will need to provide:

• Your CV
• Your Applicant Response document
• Details of two referees
• A copy of your qualification
• Include your full name and the Requisition Number – NEMA - 142161 in the footer of any documents being uploaded.

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Eligibility

To be eligible to work with the NEMA you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Fulfil the Agency's minimum requirements by satisfactorily answering all screening questions during the application process and successfully undergo a National Police Check
• Obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance
• Satisfy a probation period (if applicable)
• Undergo a health assessment (if applicable).

Technical assistance

If you are experiencing problems submitting your application online, please email the nature of the issues you are experiencing to recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au including screen captures if necessary. A response will be sent during business hours.

Notes

The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

If you have identified as having a disability, please indicate whether you require any support throughout the selection process. For further information please contact recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au.