Assistant Director, Governance and Priorities

Could the Australian Research Council (ARC) be right for you?

The Governance and Priorities Section is seeking a high-performing EL1 officer to play a key role enabling the ARC's strategic decision-making and governance activities. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the work of the ARC Board, Executive and senior leadership team while helping drive priorities that shape the ARC’s future.

The Governance and Priorities Section sits within the Executive Branch, which provides strategic support to the ARC Board and Advisory Committees, Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Strategic Leadership Group. The Branch leads a range of agency-wide functions, including governance, parliamentary, communications and stakeholder engagement, placing it at the centre of enabling the ARC's priorities and initiatives.

The opportunity 

Reporting to the Director, Governance and Priorities, the Assistant Director, Governance and Priorities leads the delivery of secretariat responsibilities and contributes to the broader work program of the team. 

The role is responsible for:

• Leading the delivery of high-quality governance and secretariat services for the ARC Board, and supporting the delivery of the ARC Advisory Committee, ARC Indigenous Forum and Strategic Leadership Group.
• Providing strategic advice, analysis and quality assurance on complex Board papers, submissions and governance matters.
• Ensuring Board decisions, actions and records are managed accurately and in accordance with legislative, policy and governance requirements.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance governance practices, decision-making processes and Board operations.
• Building and sustaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support organisational priorities and outcomes.
• Contributing to broader organisational priorities, projects and initiatives across the Governance and Priorities Section.
• Fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture that supports learning, innovation and shared success.

The Section is responsible for: 

• Secretariat: Delivering high-quality secretariat services to the ARC Board, ARC Advisory Committee, ARC Indigenous Forum and ARC Strategic Leadership Group, applying leading practice in committee governance and assuring effective, strategically aligned support.
• Parliamentary: Managing the ARC’s parliamentary function, ensuring that coordination processes – such as for Senate Estimates, Parliamentary Inquiries, ministerial briefing and correspondence – draw on agency-wide input in a timely manner, and deliver accurate, consistent and high-quality information products.
• Executive Priorities: Supporting the ARC Executive by facilitating whole of agency planning processes to ensure organisational capability and resources are aligned to priority activities; and by driving projects and initiatives of long-term importance to the ARC.

Our ideal candidate

The successful applicant will demonstrate sound judgement, strategic thinking and the ability to operate effectively and collaboratively in a dynamic environment. They will build productive relationships with the Board and across the agency, provide trusted advice to senior leaders, and lead the delivery of high-quality governance outcomes. The role requires a proactive and collaborative approach, strong communication skills, is empathetic and a commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in service delivery. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Shapes strategic thinking

• Ability to understand and apply the ARC's strategic priorities, operating environment and governance obligations.
• Capacity to think critically, identify risks and opportunities, and provide considered advice to inform decision-making.

Achieves results

• Experience delivering secretariat and governance services for boards, committees or senior decision-making forums, or the ability to quickly develop this capability.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and achieving results through effective planning and execution.

Cultivates productive working relationships

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to establish trust and credibility and influence outcomes.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences and build shared understanding.
• Can lead and work well within a team, is collaborative and inclusive and supports diversity and inclusion. 

Exemplifies personal drive and integrity

• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgement and resilience when managing competing priorities and sensitive issues.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and accountability, including experience handling confidential information appropriately.
• Commitment to the APS Values, inclusion, and contributing to a positive and psychosocially safe organisational culture.

Remuneration package

The ARC’s Remuneration Package comprises a competitive salary component and generous employer superannuation contribution.

The salary payable upon commencement will be negotiable and will consider personal capabilities, such as experience and qualifications.

What we offer

In addition to exciting and fulfilling work at the heart of research and the government, the ARC offers the opportunity to work with strong, smart, visionary, and experienced leaders, who are among the most respected in their fields.

The ARC is an equal opportunity employer, and all our recruitment decisions are made based on merit. We are committed to building a workforce that is flexible, agile, and responsive to fostering a positive workplace where people treat each other and the community with respect.

Diversity and Inclusion 

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds including but not limited to; people who identify as LGBTIQA+, people with a disability, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

The ARC expects all staff to understand workplace diversity, workplace participation, a safe working environment and access and equity principles, and to promote these principles in the development and implementation of policies and programs.

For further information about our Agency and what we offer, please refer to the ARC Website.

• Must be an Australia citizen
• Undergo ID verification check
• Must undergo a Police check
• Must hold or be able to obtain a Baseline Commonwealth Security Clearance

The ARC is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act). It is located within the Australian Government’s Education portfolio and reports to the Minister for Education. The ARC is a vital component of Australia’s innovation and research system. It plays an integral role in supporting the research sector to produce excellent and impactful research for Australia’s economic, social, environmental and cultural benefit through the delivery of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). The NCGP funds excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research in all disciplines except medical research. The ARC’s broader remit includes the provision of high-quality research policy advice to the Australian Government and supporting research security and integrity. It also includes promoting ethical research, evaluating the excellence, impact and depth of Australian research and expanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. It also facilitates partnerships between researchers and industry, government, community organisations and the international community.