Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations

Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations Company: Department of Parliamentary Services
Job Title:Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations
Employment Type:Ongoing/Non-Ongoing
Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST, 4 November 2026
Contact:Ian Kyle
The Opportunity The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting an Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations at the Parliamentary Executive Level 1 classification within the Cyber Security Branch.
The Information Services Division delivers ICT services to DPS staff and users of the parliamentary computing network and facilities. Within the Cyber Infrastructure, Networks & Security section, the Network Operations team is responsible for secure and reliable enterprise network services supporting the operations of the Australian Parliament including over 260 electorate offices and Commonwealth offices across Australia.
Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations
The Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the secure, reliable and efficient operation and lifecycle management of parliamentary network services. You will lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and contribute directly to complex technical work when required.
You will provide authoritative technical advice, coordinate complex incidents and controlled changes, and drive improvements in network availability, performance, capacity, security and resilience. Working with business areas, ICT teams, vendors and service partners, you will support network projects, procurement and vendor management, manage operational and project risks, and translate complex technical matters into clear, evidence-based advice for senior stakeholders.
Alongside meaningful work in a unique environment, Parliament House offers a range of workplace benefits, including free car parking and free use of onsite facilities such as the gym, tennis courts and swimming pool.
Who we are looking for We are looking for an experienced network professional who can combine technical expertise with strong leadership, sound judgement and a focus on delivering secure, reliable enterprise network services. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Demonstrated experience designing, operating and supporting secure enterprise network services across routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, zero trust and cloud networking.
• Proven ability to lead the resolution of complex incidents and problems, assess technical and security risks, implement controlled changes and improve service availability, performance, capacity and resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and deliver operational and project outcomes while contributing directly to technical work when required.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical information, negotiate practical outcomes and provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting procurement, commercial and vendor management activities, with an understanding of relevant Commonwealth security, procurement and accountability requirements.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies, align technical decisions with organisational outcomes and drive continuous improvement, innovation and automation.
• Sound knowledge of relevant security and governance frameworks, including the Information Security Manual, Essential Eight and Protective Security Policy Framework.

Job Specific Requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in information technology, engineering, project management or a related discipline, or relevant industry certifications, are desirable.
• Substantial experience supporting and managing network services in a complex enterprise environment.
• Relevant vendor, network, security, IT service management or project management certifications are desirable.
• The role may require participation in after-hours support, planned maintenance and incident response arrangements.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Confidential/Highly Protected/Secret) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.
Duty Statement Classification:Parliamentary Executive Level 1
Branch: Cyber Security
Section: Network Security & Operations
Duty Statement
Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the specified classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. The Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the secure, reliable and efficient operation and lifecycle management of parliamentary network services. The role combines network engineering expertise with team leadership, service management, stakeholder engagement, commercial oversight and clear communication with technical and non-technical audiences.
2. The position supports LAN, WAN, gateway, firewall, load-balancing, wireless, software-defined networking, zero trust and cloud networking capabilities. It provides authoritative technical advice, coordinates incidents and changes, supports projects and procurement activities, and works with internal teams, vendors and service partners to achieve business outcomes.
3. As Assistant Director - Network Engineering and Operations, your key responsibilities will be:
a. Lead and contribute to the operation, engineering and sustainment of secure enterprise network services, including routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, zero trust and cloud connectivity.
b. Provide technical leadership for complex incidents, problems and changes; analyse performance, capacity, availability and security; and coordinate timely restoration and improvement of services
c. Lead, coach and coordinate technical staff, set clear priorities and expected outcomes, allocate work and resources, and build capability while remaining able to undertake hands-on technical work when required.
d. Support the planning and coordination of network projects and BAU lifecycle activities from design and procurement through transition, operation and disposal, ensuring milestones, dependencies, risks, budgets and benefits are actively managed.
e. Develop and maintain network standards, operating procedures, technical documentation, support models, disaster recovery arrangements and service continuity plans.
f. Apply relevant security and governance requirements, including the Information Security Manual, Essential Eight, Protective Security Policy Framework, Commonwealth Procurement Rules and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act.
g. Build productive relationships with business areas, ICT teams, vendors and service partners; translate complex technical matters into clear advice; and negotiate practical solutions that meet operational and strategic needs.
h. Support procurement and commercial activities, including development of requirements, evaluation of proposals, contract and vendor performance management, purchase orders, invoices and financial tracking.
i. Evaluate emerging technologies and architecture options, contribute to forward planning and investment decisions, and identify opportunities for automation, resilience, security and service improvement.
j. Prepare concise briefings, reports, risk assessments and recommendations for senior management and governance forums, and represent the section in operational, project and stakeholder meetings.
Selection Criteria Technical expertise: Demonstrated experience designing, operating and supporting secure enterprise network services, with sound knowledge of routing and switching, LAN/WAN, gateways, firewalls, load balancing, wireless, SD-WAN, zero trust and cloud networking.
Operational judgement: Proven ability to lead the resolution of complex incidents and problems, assess technical and security risks, implement controlled changes, and improve service availability, performance, capacity and resilience.
Leadership and delivery: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical staff, set priorities, allocate resources and deliver operational and project outcomes while contributing directly to technical work when required.
Stakeholder engagement and communication: Demonstrated ability to build effective internal and external relationships, translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences, negotiate outcomes and provide clear, concise and evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders.
Commercial and governance capability: Experience supporting procurement, contract and vendor management with an understanding of relevant Commonwealth security, procurement and accountability frameworks.
Strategic thinking and improvement: . click apply for full job details