Director Safeguards Operations & Assessment & Director Safeguards Inquiries, Executive Level 2, Australian Trade Remedies Commission (ATRC)

• Canberra, Melbourne
• Applications close 14 October
• The salary range for this role is $152,420 - $164,106

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the Commission

The Australian Trade Remedies Commission is a best practice regulator and a leading international trade remedies authority. We exist to support the Australian economy by securing a level playing field for local industry by investigating and remedying unfair international trade practices including dumping, subsidies and import volume surges. 

The Commission delivers against the Minister’s Statement of Expectations to ensure a more timely, effective and accessible trade remedies system, and to contribute to a Future Made in Australia.

The Commission is undergoing significant reform, including operating model improvements, legislative reform, capability uplift, and the establishment of a safeguards function. 

At the Commission, you can do meaningful work that has a real impact on Australian industry and the economy, while building specialist expertise in a supportive, flexible and values-driven environment with a united culture that values trust, safety and continuous improvement. We invest in our people, encourage continuous learning, and empower staff to shape the future of a modern, best-practice regulator. 

Safeguards branch

The safeguards function will undertake inquiries into import surges and their impact on Australian industry, using economic analysis, legal expertise and stakeholder engagement to support government decision-making. A safeguards mechanism is a trade remedy that allows a government to temporarily provide support to a domestic industry from a sudden surge in imports that is causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to that industry.

The Safeguards Branch will be a multidisciplinary, nationally significant capability responsible for delivering Australia's trade remedies safeguards framework. The branch will play a key role in strengthening Australia's trade remedies architecture and advancing the Commission's vision to be a best-practice regulator and leading international trade remedies authority. The branch will also contribute to other investigation responsibilities as required to enable Commission to operate in an agile way.

The opportunity

Director Safeguards Inquiries - 12 months or Ongoing

The Director Safeguards Inquiries is an executive leadership role responsible for leading and delivering safeguards inquiries and contributing to the strategic development of the Australian Trade Remedies Commission's safeguards function. The role leads a multidisciplinary team undertaking complex inquiries into import surges and their impact on Australian industry, ensuring inquiries are conducted in accordance with legislative requirements, principles of procedural fairness and Australia's international obligations.

The role will provide leadership, direction and quality assurance across inquiry activities, delivering robust, evidence-based analysis and recommendations to support government decision-making.

The role is responsible for the operational delivery of safeguards inquiries, managing inquiry teams, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring timely, transparent and high-quality outcomes.

The role will:

• Lead end-to-end safeguards inquiries from initiation through to recommendations and implementation activities.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams undertaking economic, industry, regulatory and investigative activities.
• Provide authoritative advice and recommendations on complex and sensitive safeguards matters.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with industry participants, legal representatives, government agencies and other stakeholders.
• Ensure inquiry processes are transparent, evidence-based and aligned with legislative and international obligations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, capability development and operational excellence. 
• When there is no Safeguards inquiry in progress, the role will be utilised in other types of investigations.

Experience

• Experience leading complex regulatory, investigative, economic, policy or program delivery activities.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering outcomes through others.
• Experience providing strategic and operational advice to senior executives and decision-makers.
• Experience managing sensitive stakeholder relationships and competing priorities.
• Experience working in regulatory, trade, economic, legal or public policy environments is desirable.

Skills and knowledge

• Strong leadership, people management and coaching capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing capabilities.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Sound understanding of governance, risk management and public sector accountability principles.
• Knowledge of trade remedies, safeguards, international trade, economic analysis or related disciplines, or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.

Director Safeguards Operations and Assessment - 12 months or Ongoing

The Director Safeguards Operations and Assessment is a critical leadership role responsible for leading the operational delivery, assessment activities and capability development that underpin the Australian Trade Remedies Commission's safeguards function. The role provides leadership across pre-inquiry activities, case assessment, industry engagement and operational readiness to support effective safeguards administration.

The role will lead the development and implementation of operational practices, assessment frameworks and business processes that support transparent, timely and evidence-based safeguards outcomes.

The role is responsible for managing safeguards operations and assessment activities, providing strategic and operational advice, building organisational capability and supporting the Commission's broader objectives.

The role will:

• Lead safeguards operations, case assessment and operational readiness activities.
• Oversee the assessment of potential safeguards matters and ensure effective preparation for inquiry processes.
• Provide strategic and operational advice on complex safeguards issues.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures and frameworks that support effective safeguards administration.
• Build organisational capability and foster innovation, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Maintain productive relationships with industry, government agencies and other key stakeholders.

Experience

• Experience leading regulatory, operational, investigative, assessment or policy functions.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering results through others.
• Experience developing and implementing operational frameworks, business processes or regulatory practices.
• Experience providing strategic and operational advice to senior executives and decision-makers.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and competing priorities.
• Experience working in trade, economic regulation, investigations, compliance, public policy or a related field is desirable.

Skills and knowledge

• Strong leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to develop and implement operational strategies, policies and frameworks.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound understanding of governance, risk management and public sector accountability.
• Knowledge of trade remedies, safeguards, investigations, economic regulation, administrative decision-making or related disciplines, or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.

Our ideal candidate

Director Safeguards Inquiries

Our ideal candidate will be a credible and influential leader who can successfully manage complex inquiries, exercise sound judgement and deliver high-quality outcomes in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Analyse complex issues and make evidence-based decisions in uncertain environments.
• Deliver high-quality outcomes within competing priorities and tight timeframes.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Communicate with influence and provide clear, well-reasoned advice on complex matters.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, integrity and continuous improvement. 

Director Safeguards Operations and Assessment 

Our ideal candidate will be a collaborative and strategic leader with experience managing complex regulatory, operational or assessment functions and delivering outcomes through people and partnerships.

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Exercise sound judgement in complex and sensitive environments.
• Build productive relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Deliver high-quality outcomes within competing priorities and tight timeframes.
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement and organisational capability.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with a broad range of audiences.

What you will do

Director Safeguards Inquiries - 12 months or ongoing

Key duties

• Lead and manage inquiry teams responsible for the conduct of safeguards inquiries and associated activities.
• Oversee the analysis of economic, industry and trade information to inform inquiry findings and recommendations.
• Prepare and review complex briefs, reports, recommendations and correspondence for senior executives and government decision-makers.
• Direct stakeholder consultation, engagement and hearing activities associated with inquiries.
• Manage governance, risk and quality assurance arrangements to support inquiry integrity and outcomes.
• Represent the Commission in domestic and international forums and stakeholder engagements.
• Mentor staff and support workforce capability and professional development across inquiry teams.

Director Safeguards Operations and Assessment - 12 months or ongoing

Key duties

• Lead and manage safeguards operations, case assessment and operational delivery activities.
• Assess safeguards matters and provide recommendations to support decision-making and inquiry readiness.
• Develop and implement operational guidance, procedures and supporting materials.
• Lead engagement with industry participants, government agencies, legal representatives and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and review complex briefs, reports, correspondence and advice for senior executives and government decision-makers.
• Promote sound governance, risk management and quality assurance across the safeguards function.
• Lead workforce capability development, coaching and professional development initiatives.
• Represent the Commission in internal and external forums and stakeholder engagements.

Eligibility

This vacancy is open to current APS employees only.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is onsite Canberra or Melbourne based, although flexible arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact *************************** or (************* if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Monika Lacey via email on ********************************