Executive Level 1 - Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Position title: Executive Level 1 - Assistant Director
Job Requisition ID: 1348
Location: Flexible location
Tenure: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing for a period of up to 12 months
Our Opportunity
As an Assistant Director within Trade Marks Design Group (TMDG), you will be a member of the leadership team, providing proactive leadership to the Group, ensuring that we achieve our strategic and operational goals and contribute to the broader objectives of IP Australia’s Strategic Corporate plan.
You will liaise closely with internal business groups, customers (including businesses and individuals), IP professionals and the public, working to resolve issues with customers and ensure the delivery of robust intellectual property rights.
We currently have two immediate vacancies – Team Leader Designs Examination; and Team Leader Trade Marks Examination. We will also be creating a merit pool of suitable candidates which will be used to fill ongoing and non-ongoing roles across TMDG should they become available (within an 18-month period). This will include both Team Leader roles, as well as Project Officer positions (see below).
Assistant Director - Team Leader, Trade Marks and Designs Examination (current vacancies)
The examination teams are the engine room of the business group, responsible for the administration of the trade mark and designs rights systems. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the intellectual property rights of individuals and businesses are protected and upheld. Staff within these sections conduct thorough examination assessments of trade mark and design applications to ensure they meet all legal and regulatory requirements. This involves reviewing applications, conducting searches, and evaluating the eligibility of the proposed applications.
As an examination team leader, you will lead and manage a team of up to 15 Trade Marks/Designs examiners to deliver high quality trade mark/designs assessments in a timely manner. You will be required to provide technical guidance in relation to complex enquiries, identify and deliver training as required, and manage staff performance, including underperformance and capability uplift.
Job specific capabilities
The following capabilities are considered essential for successful candidates:
• Communication – Successful candidates will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates will have the capability to actively engage with customers, distil key messages and adapt delivery in an engaging and creative manner to resonate with and influence varied audiences.
• Excellent relationship management skills – We are looking for candidates who are confident and decisive. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and also able to work collaboratively with people with different perspectives to achieve outcomes. Candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to mentor and develop people, and to build and sustain relationships with a network of key people internally and externally.
• Decision making – Candidates will need to demonstrate the ability to engage with risk, to use data, to interpret and apply legislation and to exercise sound judgement. A strong technical knowledge of trade marks and/or designs law and the ability to provide technical direction and advice to staff in complex matters is also essential.
• Deliver outcomes – Candidates will need to demonstrate a flexible approach to work in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity. Successful candidates will have excellent self-motivation, initiative and a commitment to continuous improvement. A willingness to contribute to business improvement strategies, corporate projects and the ability to implement and manage change is also essential.
• Leadership – We are looking for candidates who demonstrate agility and are comfortable leading innovation initiatives. Candidates will have a commitment to personal development and must be able to demonstrate their ability to establish an inclusive, lifelong learning and high performing team culture in a hybrid environment, through coaching others, providing performance feedback, conflict resolution and encouraging career development.
Looking for more information?
Our candidate kit contains details including the capabilities required, the contact officer, and how to apply.
Please use the link below to access the candidate kit:
Applications Close
Applications close at 11:59pm on Thursday 26/06/2025