Labor Party national secretary Tim Gartrell, the campaign director behind Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's election victory last year, has resigned.
Mr Gartrell said it had been an enormous privilege to serve as national secretary for the past five years.
"I'm particularly grateful for the support I received from the national executive after the 2004 federal election defeat and the privilege of being the ALP campaign director for the 2007 federal election," he said in a statement.
"I'd like to thank Kevin Rudd for his support and friendship and I wish him and his excellent team well in the future."
Mr Gartrell also thanked staff of the ALP national secretariat for their loyalty, camaraderie and their dedication to the Labor cause.
"I'd also like to thank my family and friends for their love and support during these sometimes difficult years. I look forward to spending more time with them, free of the pressure of the job," he said.
Mr Gartrell said he would leave on October 24 to allow his replacement sufficient time to prepare for the 2009 national conference and the next federal election.
He will join the Photon Group of companies as chief executive of the social research company Auspoll.
"I am looking forward to new and different challenges after nearly two decades working in the Labor movement," he said.
Mr Gartrell's replacement has yet to be announced.
