View Vacancy - AUS (Sydney) - Head of Operations - Australia & New Zealand, HEO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is an integral part of the UK Government’s networks in Australia and New Zealand. We support the UK Government’s Growth Mission and Industrial Strategy by supporting UK businesses to export, fostering industrial partnerships and encouraging investment in the UK.

This is an exciting time to join the UK Government’s diplomatic network to promote trade and investment partnerships with our close partners Australia and New Zealand. The UK – Australia, UK – New Zealand Free Trade Agreements and the AUKUS security partnership offer unprecedented opportunities to strengthen economic ties between our countries. DBT brings together policy, trade promotion and investment expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment and help businesses succeed across the world. You will join a high performing team of 40 trade and investment experts, working across seven diplomatic missions in Australia and New Zealand. 

You will also be an integral part of DBT’s wider APAC region of over 200 people in 22 locations and the UK Government’s Australia Network of over 130 people. You will have the opportunity to collaborate across our networks on a range of trade and investment campaigns, soft power initiatives, trade missions and VIP visits. You will work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds whose professional experience is the foundation of our shared capability. We deliver as one team. 

DBT and the Australia and New Zealand networks are inclusive and equal-opportunity employers. We are committed to building a supportive workplace that offers continuous learning and development opportunities for all our team. We embrace flexible and remote working and have a zero-tolerance policy towards bulling, harassment and discrimination.   

The Head of Operations sits at the heart of the ANZ network. We are seeking an exceptional individual who is professional, engaging and enterprising to lead our operations. Your team performs an essential secretariat function for the senior leadership team and effective presentation of data by your team is fundamental to our success. Reporting to the Country Director for Australia, the Head of Operations is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of trade and investment delivery, finance, skills and people. Because your work across teams to facilitate everything we do, you play an important role in inspiring and modelling our inclusive working culture. 


Monitoring and evaluation

You will lead a small team that partners with the UK in Australia Network, the UK in New Zealand Network and regional DBT APAC Hub to support the Deputy Trade Commissioner and Country Directors make effective data-based decisions on business planning, performance, staffing, learning and development, and governance.

  • Develop, maintain and present performance dashboards and other tools that illustrate DBT’s full delivery impact using both quantitative and qualitative metrics. 
  • Flex to deliver information based on the business needs of different audiences, including Ministers, the High Commissioner and Trade Commissioner. 
  • Expert personal use and modelling of DBT’s CRM systems and workspace tools in order to motivate and mentor the team to adopt and accurately use these systems.

Finance

You will lead on data-based financial and budget management for the DBT ANZ network including governance, forecasts, monitoring and audit compliance. 

  • Deliver accurate and detailed reports to the senior leadership team to inform business planning and identify and manage risks. 
  • Identify, secure and monitor sources of funding additional to the core budget to deliver maximum impact against our objectives and within our staffing envelope. 
  • Communicate regular financial snapshots, emerging trends and risks to DBT teams within the ANZ network, the country directors and the regional APAC hub.
  • Motivate the DBT ANZ network to provide accurate forecasts and timely financial reconciliation that enable the smooth processing of budgets, forecasting and reporting to the senior leadership team, APAC hub and London headquarters.
  • Training and support in financial planning, monitoring and compliance for staff across the region.
  • Monitor and inform DBT ANZ’s statutory payroll commitments including TOIL, performance related pay, long service leave, and pensions and workers compensation.

Operations

You will enable the DBT ANZ network to maximise delivery in a culture that is collaborative, entrepreneurial and driven by value for money principals.

  • Perform secretariat function for senior leadership team meetings and decisions. Record key decision points and monitor major actions.
  • Ensure best in class information management across the DBT ANZ network. 
  • Maintain accessible governance policies, staff mapping and network organograms.
  • Facilitate problem-solving of operational challenges by providing advice and challenge, signposting to policies, consultation with the regional hub and, where appropriate, escalation to senior management. 
  • Ensure compliance with UK Government procurement policies for goods and services procured in the UK, Australia and New Zealand by understanding procurement policies and liaising with local corporate services teams, the regional hub and London where appropriate. 

People

You will inspire the DBT ANZ network to present and deliver growth for the UK through an external and commercially focused lens. 

  • Energise and coordinate internal comms for DBT across ANZ through motivating and creative channels to maintain our happy, focused and collaborative network.
  • Motivate colleagues to embrace our full rewards and recognition package, including staff nominations and awards.
  • Ensure new staff have a comprehensive and engaging induction on the UK offer to business, priority policy issues and the UK Government’s employment offer by coordinating with line managers and colleagues across ANZ, the wider Asia Pacific region and London. 
  • Maintain a dynamic programme of local training for staff in emerging commercial trends, global drivers and established operational systems. 
  • Encourage the DBT ANZ network to take full advantage of L&D opportunities on offer locally, regionally and through London. 
  • Lead on operational HR matters including recruitment, administrative support and team management for the ANZ DBT network. Develop recommendations for local policies in these areas.

Consulate / Network

You will project and support the UK Government’s trade and investment objectives and wider Growth Mission.

  • Develop and maintain network of trade and investment contacts in the public and private sectors.
  • Support DBT events and visits to your consulate, including representation at external events and webinars.
  • On an ad-hoc basis, support the UK diplomatic network’s whole of mission approach to major events and visits, local engagement, external communications and crisis.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure) 

  • Direct line management 1 x AO country-based team member. Responsibility for motivating and inspiring team of 40 across Australia and New Zealand. 
  • Oversight of £200K local budget and additional programme funds of approximately £500K per year.
  • Self starter – must be able to work at a high level of intensity on own initiative using judgement, strong problem-solving skills, and displaying resilience. Track record of adapting to shifts in government or company policy and working under pressure to meet deadlines.
  • Excellent data and IT skills, including data analytics and desk research capability (advanced Excel, experience of CRM tools, enterprise systems, market research and AI tools)
  • Strong financial and budget management skills, direct experience of accurately managing, forecasting and monitoring of budgets and expenditure.  Experience of business planning.
  • Excellent communication skills with proven ability to accurately present data to senior interlocutors with confidence and accuracy. Includes excellent drafting skills and formatting.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Includes the ability to motivate individuals, work closely with team leaders and support senior management to solve problems and maintain accountability for delivery across network. 
  • Ability to manage HR challenges with complete confidentiality and compassion when required.
  • Strong, proven administrative skills and programme arranging for visitors. 
  • Confidence in dealing with senior business figures, Ministers and VVIPs and their offices. 
  • Tertiary educational qualifications and minimum of five years professional work experience
  • Experience of working in trade, investment or a commercial setting in the UK or ANZ.
  • Understanding of public sector financial, HR and operational compliance.
  • Working knowledge of UK, Australian or New Zealand trade policy. 
  • Experience of formatting software and drafting for social media content.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Managing a Quality Service
26 October 2025
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
38
12 months
Asia Pacific
Australia
Sydney
British Consulate General
1
AUD
AU $128,597.00 + 12% superannuation
yearly
15 December 2025

This vacancy is advertised as full-time, fixed term role of 12 months.

Salary is at AU$ 128,597 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 12% superannuation

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

As part of the pre-employment requirements, the successful candidate must have the right to work in Australia. This includes Australian citizens/permanent residents and partners/ dependants of UK-based staff currently posted in Australia. Kindly send your proof of eligibility to work and reside in Australia to APAC.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. The successful applicant must also be capable of obtaining security clearance for the role, including satisfactory police and criminal record checks. 

Comprehensive learning and development opportunities:

The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the UK Government’s International Academy.

Our team members enjoy a large degree of delegated responsibility and personal involvement with senior staff and visitors.  They have the chance to develop a wide range of important and marketable skills and networks for their professional advancement.  We have a strong record of preparing people for promotion within the organisation and for helping people develop skills and profile to secure advancement externally.

We are committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.

Working patterns:

Full time employment (38 hours), with occasional out of hours work for meetings with UK stakeholders, events and travel.

There may be a requirement for domestic and international travel as appropriate.  Due to the need to work directly with the UK and to support visits and events, some calls and work will need to take place outside of core office hours.  Flexible working arrangements are offered in compensation.

The UK Government network in Australia has a modern and flexible approach to its working culture.  The importance of networks, relationship building, learning and collaboration mean that this role is not suitable for exclusive remote working.  However, remote working is possible up to, on average, 2 days per week.

The overall package includes the standard 14 days of public holidays that the UK in Australia Network works to, as well as 22 days’ annual leave.

The salary on offer is not negotiable. 

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

Applications must include a current CV and kindly omit any personal information such as Name, Contact Details, Birthday and Gender.

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.