Australian Services Union – Victorian & Tasmanian Authorities & Services Branch 

Location: Melbourne, VIC  

Full-Time | Fixed Term to 30 June 2027 

Salary: Research/Specialist Officer Grade 5 ($128,735 – $138,213) plus super.   

Applications close: 16 October 2026 

The Australian Services Union (ASU) is seeking an experienced, values‑driven Chief of Staff to coordinate the strategic work and the people involved growing the power of workers who keep our communities running. This is a rare opportunity to support the strategic direction of an organisation making a real difference—supporting leadership and the teams responsible for member organising, industrial representation, major campaigns, and sector‑wide advocacy across local government, water, energy, community services and more. 

About Us 

The ASU is one of Australia’s largest and most progressive unions, advocating for fairness, equity, and dignity in the workplace. Our Victorian and Tasmanian Branch is deeply committed to supporting members, building strong workplace representation, and driving campaigns that improve working lives. 

The ASU is an organising union that protects and improves our members’ working lives. Our union is growing, using strategies to bring workers together to collectively stand to improve wages and conditions. Delegate development is central to everything we do as we see this as fundamental to continuing to grow and build power as a union.   

Role Context 

This is a new role, being piloted in the context of organisational growth. The Chief of Staff will provide support to the Branch Secretary, Elected Officers and Branch Executive to drive strategic work in the branch, ensure our branch plan is relevant, recent, delivered and acquitted. To support the staff oversight components in greater detail, including staff development programs, human resources functions, processes and template development from onboarding to exits from the ASU.    

The role is being introduced to boost resourcing in these areas, to work closely with the Branch Secretary to ensure branch activities are aligned to expectations of our Branch Executive. The branch does not currently have a dedicated HR/people and culture resource, this role would augment existing resources in this area. 

This is a fixed-term role until 30 June 2027, established as a pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of providing this additional support in the branch. 

What You’ll Do 

• Strategic support to the Branch Secretary and Elected Officers. 
• Oversight of Administrative Support to the Branch Secretary and Elected Officers. 
• Coordinate communication and scheduling for a range of Leadership meetings and forums, in conjunction with the Executive Assistant, including structuring and helping to deliver branch communications for the Elected Officers. 
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of human resources processes and templates to support the leadership team in employee management. 
• Act as representative of the branch as employer in relevant employee forums and processes. 
• Plan, communicate and lead strategic initiatives using project delivery methodology ensuring projects and key objectives are managed appropriately and delivered on time. 
• Provide expert strategic advice to union leadership 

About you 

• Commitment to union values and social justice 
• Experience working within a union, government, political party or advocacy organisation in a chief of staff or similar role. 
• Well-developed analytical and conceptual skills. 
• Experience in people management. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage a fast-paced and changing work environment 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and communicating to a broad range of audiences. 
• Excellent project management skills. 

Why work with ASU? 

• Help improve the working lives of tens of thousands of people 
• Join a progressive, purpose‑driven and supportive team 
• Hybrid and flexible work options 

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

How to Apply  

Applications close 5.00pm, 16 October 2026 and should be addressed to:  

Tash Wark 

ASU Branch Secretary (on leave to 14 October) 

Twark@asuvictas.com.au 

For further information before that date, please contact Zoe Edwards zedwards@asuvictas.com.au