Assistant Secretary, Finance Branch

The department is seeking a high-performing Senior Executive Service Band 1 Assistant Secretary to lead the Finance Branch

DPS comprises over 1,200 staff that support the Parliament of Australia through innovative and client-focused services. The department delivers a broad range of services to support a working parliament including enabling engagement with the public and acting as custodian and stewards of Australian Parliament House.

DPS provides innovative, unified and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and Parliamentarians. As custodians of Australian Parliament House, we deliver a broad range of services, experiences and large-scale construction projects that enable Australian parliamentary democracy and engagement with it. Employees at DPS work across a diverse range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles.

The Assistant Secretary, Finance Branch is responsible for driving and delivering high quality customer centred financial advice and services for the Department. The role reports directly to the First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Property Services (Chief Financial Officer) and provides leadership to a Branch. As a member of the DPS Senior Executive Service (SES) team, you will also contribute to the overall strategic planning, operational capability and accountability of DPS.

• Who we are looking for

DPS prides itself on leaders who can support the high-tempo needs of a modern parliament through contemporary leadership practices. Diversity is our strength, and we seek to continue to build high performing teams comprised of industry-best talent.

Interested applicants will need to demonstrate proven experience in leading a large, complex and diverse operation and driving change within a client-focused service environment. Strong personal accountability and the capability to deal with ambiguity and change are crucial to succeeding in this role.

As a member of the DPS Senior Executive cohort, you will be expected to :

• Provide leadership to your Branch while working collaboratively with the other business areas to deliver on the department's strategic priorities as outlined in DPS Corporate Plan.
• Provide high quality strategic and technical advice to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, members of the DPS SES team and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall strategic, planning, operational capability and accountability of DPS.
• Develop an environment that ensures sound planning, a culture of innovation, effective risk management, continuous improvement and a strong service delivery focus.
• Model contemporary aspirational leadership behaviours and work collaboratively to drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and a strong service delivery focus.
• Appear with the Secretary at Senate Estimates hearings when required.
• Duty Statement
• Classification
• Senior Executive Service Band 1
• Branch
• Finance Branch
• Division
• Finance and Property Services
• Immediate supervisor
• First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Property Services (Chief Financial Officer)

Under limited / general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Senior Executive Service Band 1 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Work with other branches and stakeholders within the division and across the department to deliver DPS' priorities and projects, consistent with agreed timeframes and budget.
• Provide strategic and financial advice / support to the First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Property Services | Chief Financial Officer, the DPS Executive Committee and other internal and external stakeholders in relation to financial matters.
• Ensure that effective financial management policies, systems and processes are operating to support the delivery of outcomes in the context of the high political and media scrutiny relating to performance and expenditure on the parliamentary services.
• Manage the processes supporting the development of the department's internal budget, financial accounts, annual budget statements and reports.
• Provide monthly financial reports to the First Assistant Secretary, Finance and Property Services | Chief Financial Officer
• Provide a key escalation point for professional / technical matters relating to the finance and accounting discipline.
• Attend the Executive Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee meetings as required
• Represent the organisation in public forums and in inter-departmental meetings as required.
• Job Specific Requirements
• Tertiary qualification in accounting / commerce (mandatory)
• Membership with CPA Australia or the Institute of Charted Accountants (mandatory)
• Demonstrated experience in leading a finance function in a complex environment with a diver