Assistant Director - Stewardship Policy

Australian Submarine Agency; Canberra; Presencial; AUD 150.000 - 190.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Flexible working arrangements

Descripción de la vacante

Australian Submarine Agency in Canberra seeks an EL1 Assistant Director in the Stewardship Policy Branch to provide advisory leadership and policy development for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program. You will shape strategies, oversee policy frameworks and guide end‑of‑life planning across national projects.

You will translate complex policy issues into actionable guidance for Ministers, Parliament and senior management, drawing on policy, science, and engineering expertise.

Formación

• Strong ability to translate complex issues into clear policy advice.
• Ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams across policy, science and engineering.
• Experience providing strategic guidance on nuclear stewardship or related sectors.

Responsabilidades

• Drive policy, strategy and project plans with technical advice for Ministers and Parliament.
• Provide evidence-based advice on nuclear stewardship, waste management and end-of-life planning.
• Brief senior leadership on domestic and international approaches to related policy areas.
• Drive design and implementation of policy frameworks and program controls for end-of-life planning.

Conocimientos

Policy leadership

Project delivery

Engineering

Analytical thinking

Descripción del empleo

Australian Submarine Agency – Canberra ACT

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

Join one of Australia's most significant national endeavours and help shape the future of the nation's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program. As an EL1 Assistant Director in the Stewardship Policy Branch, you will have a unique opportunity to provide advice and develop policies that support the safe, secure and responsible stewardship of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving development of policy, strategy, project plans and technical advice, including for Ministers and Parliament, to support Australia's nuclear stewardship objectives.
• Providing evidence-based advice to senior management on complex and emerging strategic, policy, technical and program issues relating to defueling, dismantling, transport and disposal pathways.
• Briefing senior leadership on research and analysis of domestic and international approaches to nuclear stewardship, radioactive waste management, regulation and end-of-life planning.
• Driving design and implementation of the Stewardship Policy Framework, end-of-life project controls within the NPS program architecture, and approaches for managing spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

About our Team

The Stewardship Policy Branch encompasses three directorates supporting Head Stewardship Division and the ASA mission.

The Policy and Engagement Directorate leads the development of the Stewardship Policy Framework and provides policy advice to support public engagement, stakeholder relationships, and decision making on radioactive waste management.

The Strategy and Program Directorate is responsible for developing the end-of-life project controls within the NPS Program architecture, including requirements, risks and assumptions, schedule, strategic planning, and program integration to support the long-term stewardship of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.

The Technical Directorate leverages scientific and engineering expertise from across the organisation, domestic stakeholders and trilateral partners to support policy development and strategic decision-making on radioactive waste management, defueling, dismantling and disposal pathways for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking high-performing leaders who are motivated by complex challenges and inspired by the opportunity to make a lasting national impact.

You are a strategic thinker with strong judgement and the ability to lead through complexity and uncertainty. Whether your background is in policy, project delivery, science, engineering or a related discipline, you can translate complex issues into clear advice, build productive partnerships, and deliver practical outcomes.

You thrive in collaborative environments, influence stakeholders effectively, and bring the initiative, adaptability and leadership needed to deliver outcomes in a rapidly evolving context. Most importantly, you are excited by the opportunity to help shape Australia's long-term approach to nuclear stewardship and contribute to a program that will define the nation's future capability.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

Join one of Australia's most significant national endeavours and help shape the future of the nation's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program. As an EL1 Assistant Director in the Stewardship Policy Branch, you will have a unique opportunity to provide advice and develop policies that support the safe, secure and responsible stewardship of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving development of policy, strategy, project plans and technical advice, including for Ministers and Parliament, to support Australia's nuclear stewardship objectives.
• Providing evidence-based advice to senior management on complex and emerging strategic, policy, technical and program issues relating to defueling, dismantling, transport and disposal pathways.
• Briefing senior leadership on research and analysis of domestic and international approaches to nuclear stewardship, radioactive waste management, regulation and end-of-life planning.
• Driving design and implementation of the Stewardship Policy Framework, end-of-life project controls within the NPS program architecture, and approaches for managing spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

About our Team

The Stewardship Policy Branch encompasses three directorates supporting Head Stewardship Division and the ASA mission.

The Policy and Engagement Directorate leads the development of the Stewardship Policy Framework and provides policy advice to support public engagement, stakeholder relationships, and decision making on radioactive waste management.

The Strategy and Program Directorate is responsible for developing the end-of-life project controls within the NPS Program architecture, including requirements, risks and assumptions, schedule, strategic planning, and program integration to support the long-term stewardship of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.

The Technical Directorate leverages scientific and engineering expertise from across the organisation, domestic stakeholders and trilateral partners to support policy development and strategic decision-making on radioactive waste management, defueling, dismantling and disposal pathways for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking high-performing leaders who are motivated by complex challenges and inspired by the opportunity to make a lasting national impact.

You are a strategic thinker with strong judgement and the ability to lead through complexity and uncertainty. Whether your background is in policy, project delivery, science, engineering or a related discipline, you can translate complex issues into clear advice, build productive partnerships, and deliver practical outcomes.

You thrive in collaborative environments, influence stakeholders effectively, and bring the initiative, adaptability and leadership needed to deliver outcomes in a rapidly evolving context. Most importantly, you are excited by the opportunity to help shape Australia's long-term approach to nuclear stewardship and contribute to a program that will define the nation's future capability.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Eligibility

Getting to know the Australian Submarine Agency

The Australian Submarine Agency was established on 1 July 2023 and is responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will be critical to ensuring our Defence Force has the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe.The Australian Submarine Agency operates under the Defence portfolio and maintains strong linkages with the Department of Defence. Our workforce comprises a mixture of Australian Public Servants, Australian Defence Force members and contractors.At the Australian Submarine Agency you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that, as an APS employee, you simply would not get in any other organisation. You are able to undertake interesting, challenging and unique work. This ranges from intelligence and strategic policy right through to human resources, communications, infrastructure and engineering, and information technology.As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities.Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities.