Description:
Who We Are
Situated within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Government Consulting (AGC) helps the Australian Public Service (APS) confidently meet current and future challenges in house and selectively engage external consultants in ways that maximise value for money.
As government consultants working exclusively for public impact, AGC partners with APS agencies on high profile, complex issues, using rigorous consulting methods and deep knowledge of government to deliver strategy and policy advice, organisational performance uplift, and better buying from external consultants.
Our organisational performance work focuses on supporting agencies to design and deliver fit-for-purpose operating models, evidence-based transformation and change initiatives, and workforce strategies. We also help agencies to prioritise, and implement productivity and process improvements.
For more information on AGC including information on our service lines please visit the AGC Website.
Our offer to you
At AGC, we offer:
- The opportunity to work on fast-paced projects across a wide range of APS portfolios and functions, using your consulting skills to deliver public value
- The opportunity to develop rapidly by solving problems in small teams of talented peers and senior public servants
- Formal learning and development – on top of the opportunities available to every PM&C employee
- Generous and flexible conditions, including 15.4% superannuation in addition to base salary, allowances, salary sacrifice, study assistance, shut down leave. Find out more: PM&C Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 | PM&C
- Assistance for exceptional candidates to relocate to Canberra – due to the nature of the work, roles with AGC are Canberra-based.
What You Will Do
We are looking for talented professionals to join our high-performing workforce and contribute complementary skills that will help us continue to deliver impactful outcomes.
We are looking for exceptionally talented Organisational Performance Directors, Strategy Consulting Directors or those who have a track record of leading teams to solve complex strategic problems, who are inspired by our mission to deliver public impact. You will lead high-performing teams to deliver management consultancy projects for Australian Public Service clients.
As a Project Director at AGC, you will:
- Form part of the AGC Leadership Team to guide the strategic direction of AGC and offer coaching, mentoring and support to build a positive and inclusive work environment
- Lead the delivery of high-quality consulting projects that meet client needs, with a focus on providing strategic advice or building high-performing government agencies
- Develop and refine AGC’s service offers and methodologies, build AGC’s capability and contribute innovative ideas to drive AGC forward sustainably
- Guide your team in applying structured problem-solving techniques, skilfully engaging stakeholders, and analysing data and producing meaningful advice.
What you will not be doing
Candidates should note that AGC does not currently have specialised service lines in following areas:
- Project management
- Tech consulting or large-scale digital transformation
- Cyber security
- Non-advisory professional services (e.g. internal audit).
What You Will Bring
Our ideal candidate will perform at the EL2 level in accordance with the PM&C Performance model and will bring:
- Substantial experience in a consulting services environment (private or public sector) that aligns with strategy, policy and/or organisational transformation service offerings
- The ability to apply a deep understanding of government context to achieve project or strategic goals
- Experience leading teams to plan, manage and successfully deliver complex consulting projects underpinned by consulting / problem solving methodologies
- The ability to communicate compellingly and convincingly including with senior stakeholders and clients, and negotiate outcomes effectively
- Demonstrated ability to apply insight to anticipate client and stakeholder needs and influence solutions and action
- Flexibility and resilience to deliver results, maintain team morale and manage expectations in ambiguous and sometimes high-pressure work environments.
The following is highly desirable, but not essential:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g. Economics, Data, Law, Finance, Science, Policy, etc)
- Significant experience leading teams in a consulting firm, or an APS employee who has lead teams in similar public sector functions such as taskforces or strategic policy units
- Proficiency working in PowerPoint and Excel, or willingness to build these skills quickly.
Flexible Work
At PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of ‘how can we make this work?’ and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.
Eligibility
- Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999 , employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At PM&C to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen by the completion of the recruitment process , except under exceptional circumstances.
- The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
- The successful candidate will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS or has not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.
How to apply
Submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEDT on Sunday 1 March 2026.
Information Sessions
We will also be holding virtual information sessions for prospective candidates, please see here for details.