Director of Information Technology

The Australian Human Rights Commission has an ongoing role for an EL2 Director of Information Technology. Salary range $134,235 to $157,759 pa +15.4% superannuation

Working closely with the COO, this role provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing systems and information technology initiatives, and ongoing support services to the Commission. The Director of Information Technology directs the planning and implementation of enterprise IT systems in support of business operations to improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and business development. This individual is responsible for all aspects of the organisation’s information technology and systems as well as security compliance, and adherence to Government regulations.

This role is required to perform the following functions:

Strategy & Planning

• Participate in strategic and operational governance processes of the business organisation as a member of the Corporate Services Leadership team.
• Lead IT strategic and operational planning to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, prioritising IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems across the organisation.
• Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organisational structure that supports the needs of the business.
• Establish IT departmental goals, objectives, and operating procedures.
• Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing, and in-house development.
• Assess and communicate risks associated with IT investments.
• Develop, track, and control the information technology annual operating and capital budgets.
• Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.
• Direct development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
• Assess and make recommendations on the improvement or re-engineering of the IT organisation.

Acquisition & Deployment

• Coordinate and facilitate consultation with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for new technology implementations.
• Approve, prioritise, and control projects and the project portfolio as they relate to the selection, acquisition, development, and installation of major information systems.
• Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalise on economies of scale.
• Define and communicate corporate plans, policies, and standards for the organisation for acquiring, implementing, and operating IT systems.

Operational Management

• Ensure continuous delivery of IT services through oversight of service level agreements with end users and monitoring of IT systems performance.
• Ensure IT system operation adheres to applicable laws and regulations.
• Establish lines of control for current and proposed information systems.
• Keep current with trends and issues in the IT industry, including current technologies and prices. Advise, counsel, and educate executives and management on their competitive or financial impact.
• Promote and oversee strategic relationships between internal IT resources and external entities, including government, vendors, and partner organisations.
• Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organisation of all IT staff in accordance with corporate budgetary objectives and personnel policies.
• Prepare and maintain relevant policies and procedures to ensure that the Commission is complying with all Government Online requirements in relation to security and privacy. Undertake the regular reporting requirements of the Government including the annual PSPF reporting process, the National Archives Act reporting and any other.
• Drive the enhancement of workplace culture with the IT staff to ensure an inclusive, respectful and empowering workplace ensuring best practice particularly in relation to the new Respect@Work positive duty and National Anti-racism framework.
• Develop, implement and establish a monitor/reporting system to support the continuous development of Commission staff via a learning and development strategy to ensure the Commission’s staff remain trained in all aspects of the technology available, to ensure efficiency and best practice in the use of tools such as Power BI and other Microsoft available functionality.
• Implement and monitor the performance management system that establishes clear expectations and timely professional feedback for the staff involved in IT, provide mentorship where appropriate.
• Provide high level support and advice to senior management, working closely with the COO, the Chief Executive, the President and Commissioners when required.

Undertake other matters as and when requested.

Selection Criteria

• Hands on with a strong understanding and desire to be and provide the back-end support for the working software systems in the Commission, in additional to the necessary traditional understanding around the technical hardware requirement.
• Service focused for both internal and external stakeholders with experience in team management.
• Demonstrated experience and/or relevant qualifications in computer system management.
• Demonstrated management experience with the ability to discern priorities, manage deadlines and achieve results in an environment of continuous change.
• Highly developed project management skills
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including negotiation, discretion and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic leadership, thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to recognise opportunities and develop options and solutions.
• Well-developed knowledge of relevant Commonwealth legislation, regulations and policies or the ability to acquire that knowledge, and the ability to interpret that legislation.
• Demonstrated high level judgement and decision-making ability coupled with personal drive and integrity.
• Understanding of the principles of workplace diversity and culture with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with people from different backgrounds and to cultivate productive working relationships.

Additional Information

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, carers, LGBTQI+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please provide a resume and covering letter outlining your interest in this position. You are not required to address each selection criterion individually but should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that your skills, knowledge and experience are the right fit for this position. Please be accurate, succinct and show a clear connection with the selection criteria for the role.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

A position description is attached.