Directors (Multiple), People Branch

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.

The AEC's values and commitments

The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC's focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility and professionalism.

The Team

The People Branch at the AEC is responsible for people strategy, services and support. This includes employee relations, safety and wellbeing, workforce planning, analysis and reporting, as well as recruitment, onboarding, payroll, systems, capability development, engagement, diversity and inclusion. The Branch is also responsible for the provision of advice, support, payroll and training for the AEC's temporary election workforce.

People Branch is undertaking a review to ensure it has the optimal structure to support the AEC in the coming years, including to further the wellbeing support we provide to our people and preparations for the next federal election. The branch is also an early adopter of the AEC transformation program which is modernising our core electoral and enabling systems and processes. The new structure will require all Directors to reconsider and revitalise functions within their remit.

People Branch is leading the agency to implement its inaugural workforce strategy, focused on five strategic goals:

• attract and keep the right workforce,
• support the ongoing growth of our people to lead and manage,
• transform, engage, grow and develop,
• a culture that values, includes and supports, and
• flexibility in our workforce and ways of working.

The Opportunities

As a Director in the People Branch, you will work in partnership with AEC business areas to bring strategic focus and innovative approaches built on sound operational foundations.

You will be responsible for undertaking work with a high level of complexity and sensitivity, using specialist, professional or technical knowledge, unquestionable integrity and sound judgement to provide strategic and operational outcomes on a variety of HR matters.

You will oversee and deliver your functions in order to:

• identify and resolve complex matters to meet the needs of the agency.
• develop, manage and deliver strategy, doctrine and projects.
• provide accurate specialist advice, guidance and reporting on your functional responsibilities.
• develop and support key internal and external relationships, including managing stakeholders to achieve work area and agency goals and represent the agency by promoting its interests in various forums.
• make and communicate decisions using good judgement, expertise and knowledge, governed by legislation, regulations, best practice principles or relevant operating instructions and procedures.
• contribute to election doctrine, preparation and delivery activities in accordance with the election readiness framework, according to your accountabilities and responsibilities.

People Branch Directors may undertake travel in the course of their duties. Directors located outside of Canberra will be expected to travel to Canberra intermittently.

To excel you'll have:

Mandatory

• Proven ability to foster a culturally safe and inclusive environment. This includes promoting understanding and respect for diverse cultures, implementing policies that support cultural safety, and ensuring that all interactions and communications are culturally sensitive.
• Demonstrated knowledge and extensive experience in human resources management and administration.
• Demonstrated personal drive and integrity within legislative and budget parameters.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in successfully leading and managing within uncertainty and competing priorities, while delivering results under scrutiny and within time constraints.
• Manage/champion the performance appraisal system to drive high performance and recognise outstanding employees - including setting clear goals, providing feedback, developing capabilities and addressing performance issues.
• Proven ability to communicate with influence, negotiate strategic outcomes, provide conflict resolution to maintain a positive working environment, and manage strategic stakeholder relationships, including across a geographically dispersed network.
• Proven strategic conceptual and analytical abilities with sound knowledge of change management practices.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or at least five years' experience working in human resource functions.
• Knowledge of, or ability to, quickly gain knowledge of Australian electoral law and/or practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Commonwealth frameworks, including Resource Management.
• AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
• Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
• Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
• Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.
• You may be required to undertake psychometric testing as part of this recruitment process.