Deputy Director
Share
Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
21 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Overview:
Full-time2 yearFixed Term Contract
Salary LevelHEW 10C 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
Based at theMelbourneRMITCBDcampusand hybrid ways of working
About The Role
The Deputy Director(ATN)is a senior strategic and operational leadership role within the Australian Technology NetworksofAustralia Secretariat responsible for the leadership and performance of the Policy and Program units in alignment with the strategic priorities set by the Executive Director.
This is afixed termposition that will provide whole-of-Secretariat oversight to support the developmentimplementationand evaluation of agreed strategic initiatives over the nexttwo-years.The Deputy Director acts as the Executive Directors delegate and proxy during periods of absence at pre-designated events and as otherwise directedrepresentingATN at senior external forums and engagements.
A core function of the role is leadership of ATN Universities government relations strategy. The Deputy Directorwillbuild sustain andleveragetrusted relationships with ministerial offices central agencies and senior government stakeholders. This willrequireadeepexpertisein parliamentary legislative and machinery-of-government processes combined with a high degree of political judgement and acuity. This includes the ability to interpret emerging policy signals internal party dynamics and decision-making pathways that influence government priorities and outcomes.
What You Will Do
Partner and support the Executive Director in developingtrackingand successfullyrealisingstrategicobjectives.
Maintain oversight of the Secretariats operations including financeresourcesand policy compliance and reporting.
Lead the Secretariats Policy and Program teams with a focus on a peoplecenteredcollaborativeand high-performance culture.
Lead the ATNs government relations and engagement strategy consistentwithorganisationalpriorities set by the Executive Director.
Build andmaintainhigh-trust relationships with ministerial officesadvisorsand senior departmental stakeholders to support ongoing intelligence gathering early issueidentificationand informed advocacy.
Act as the primary secretariat and senior point of contact for the ATN Government Relations Committee.
Lead the ATN policy team to ensure government engagement activities are aligned with agreed ATN policy positions.
Provide strategic leadership and oversight of ATNs programs portfolio encompassing the
Frontiers program and ATNs governance and committee framework to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and member university needs.
Operate as a senior specialist and trusted adviser to the Executive Director exercising sound
judgement and discretion.
Collaborate closely with ATN media and communications to coordinate messaging engagement timing and manage reputational considerations.
Ensure compliance with RMIT and ATN policies and professional standards.
Willingness to work flexibly to meet deadlines including occasional out-of-hourswork if.
About You
You are a highly experienced government relations and advocacy specialist with proven experience particularly at the federal level.
To Be SuccessfulInThis PositionYoullHave
Extensive experience in executive leadership with a proven senior-leveltrack recordingovernment relations policy communicationsadvocacyor a closely related field.
Demonstrated ability tooperatestrategically and autonomously exercising sound judgement andprovidingtrusted advice to senior executives and governing bodies.
Experience working with or within peak bodies universities researchorganisations professionalservicesor membership-basedorganisations.
Able to translate complex topics into concisecompellingand convincing messages via targeted platforms.
Relevant higher-degree qualification (e.g.political science public policy economicscommunications socialsciencesor related field) or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Demonstratedpeopleleadership experience including mentoring and capability development.
Deep understandingof Australian government processes including parliamentary budgetarylegislativeand intergovernmental frameworks and political dynamics.
Proven capability in building and sustaining high-trust relationships with ministersparliamentarians seniorofficialsand sector leaders.
Highly developed judgementpoliticalacumenand capacity to managesensitive and complex issues.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills including the leadership and oversight of high-quality executive briefs and submissions.
Availability to travel interstate and to member universities as necessary for stakeholder meetings project delivery or as directed.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check
About theGroup
Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) is a national Australian higher education peak body with a membership of six universities across Australia.ATN has a strong presence bothnationally andinternationally and in key metropolitan and regional media markets. Established in 1999 ATN undertakes policy advocacy publicaffairsand national media work tobenefitthe shared interest of our membership of world-class Australian universities the higher education sector and society more broadly.ATN member universitiesareCurtin University Deakin University RMIT UniversityThe Universityof Newcastleand University of Technology Sydney. Swinburn University ofTechnology joinedas an observing member in 2026.ATNis located at the RMIT offices.
ToApply
PleasesubmityourCVandcovering letteraddressingyour suitabilityforthis position by clicking on the link at the top of this page.
For further information about this position please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contactJessica Hoodvia email.
Please note if you are viewing this advert from an external site please click apply and you will be redirected to RMITs Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page. Due to recent upgrades position description links may not work on LinkedIn advertisements.
#LI-Hybrid
Applications Close:
14 May 2026 11.59 pmRMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed tobeinga child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity ethnicity sexual orientation disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
In line with RMIT Universitys commitment to a safe respectful and inclusive environment from 1 January 2026 the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a genderbased violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant preemployment background checks including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMITs safety obligations.
At RMIT we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements please contact Dani via or visit our Careers page for more contact information - are a Circle Back Initiative Employer we commit to respond to every applicant.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
RMIT is an international university of technology and design and Australia's largest tertiary institution.
