Senior Property Adviser – Property And Construction Division

ABOUT THE DIVISION & BRANCH

The Property and Construction Division is responsible for a wide range of policy, programs, operational and delivery aspects which provide the opportunity to play a central role in supporting the delivery of the Government’s priorities and outcomes.

The work of the Division is broad and provides rewarding and engaging opportunities for people who are looking to work in a positive, dynamic, flexible and results-oriented environment.

Specifically, the Division: 

• Delivers major capital works and land remediation projects for Government.
• Manages an extensive property portfolio, including divesting surplus properties.
• Manages the Whole-of-Australian-Government Coordinated Procurement Arrangements for property-related services including leasing and facilities management.
• Works across Government and the private sector to provide policy, regulatory and commercial analysis, advice and guidance to support value for money decisions on property-related policy issues and management, including through the use of strong data and analytical capability.
• Leads key reforms that enable, guide and empower Australian Government entities to measure, report and reduce their emissions and climate risks.
• Maximises value for money from the Commonwealth’s significant leased footprint through the Commonwealth Leasing Strategy.
• Manages the Australian Government Property Register.
• Builds and maintains constructive relationships across governments, the private sector and academia on property issues and opportunities.
• Administers the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 and the Public Works Committee Act 1969. 

The Property Management and Projects Branch 

The Branch is responsible for whole of lifecycle strategic property asset management, related advice to Australian Government agencies, oversight of the Finance owned estate and financial management and advice across the Division. 

The work in Property Management and Projects Branch involves a mix of skills and experience, primarily: policy and project analysis and advice; strategic asset management planning and delivery; stakeholder engagement; financial, procurement, contract and vendor advice and management.

Teams with expected roles to fill

The Portfolio and Contract Management Team is responsible for the management of the Finance Owned Estate (FOE), which comprises a property portfolio of approximately 60 mixed use properties across the country. The team’s work is undertaken in close consultation with Finance’s outsourced property service provider, and includes project and facility management, tenancy management, contract management, heritage and environmental management activities. The team engages collaboratively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

The Complex Projects and Capital Works Policy Team undertakes remediation projects on contaminated sites within the FOE; manages the Finance National Divestment Program, including native title claims; is responsible for the Two Stage Capital Works Approval Process policy, which includes working closely with entities to review all capital works submissions being brought forward to Budget and the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook; and, the Implementation of Interim Commonwealth Land Release Strategy. The team also assists entities in delivering complex capital works projects and is on various interdepartmental committees and boards.

The Strategic Property Planning Team/s lead on longer term asset management planning and project delivery proposals including preparing business cases for Government consideration, partnering with other Commonwealth agencies to support project delivery and outcomes. The team considers, consults on and develops strategies and plans to operationalise and optimise key assets including use cases, delivery models and intersections with other key policy initiatives such as climate action and objectives under the Commonwealth Property Management Framework.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Property Management and Projects Branch is seeking dynamic and high performing candidates with demonstrated experience in property management. 

By joining the Property Management and Projects Branch, you will obtain:

• central agency experience;
• access to diverse career advancement pathways, including broadening and developing skills in Property and project management; and
• opportunities to cultivate strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including at senior levels.

Specific duties include:

1. Strategic management of a diverse range of properties including office accommodation, special purpose facilities, contaminated land, native title claims, and heritage listed properties, with a diverse range of Government and commercial tenants and stakeholders. This includes management of properties across the full property lifecycle from design and Construction, transition-in of new properties, lease management, planned asset management and optimisation, and divestment under the Commonwealth Property Management Framework and Commonwealth Property Disposals Policy.
2. High-level stakeholder engagement, including the ability to anticipate potential issues/risks and to devise solutions/mitigations with an outcome focus.
3. Representing Finance at meetings and working groups in a credible and professional manner.
4. Leading a small team including building capability, managing a complex workload effectively and delivering quality outputs and outcomes.
5. Exercising sound judgement and providing timely and quality advice to Senior Executives and key stakeholders.
6. Procurement and contract management.
7. Contributing to the strategic management and direction of the FOE.

DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION

For detailed information about this role, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack, which can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.

ELIGIBILITY ADVICE & CANDIDATE NOTES

• 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.
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated in the downloadable job pack. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.