Base Manager - East & West Zone

Department of Defence; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence seeks a Base Manager to lead operations across EWZ bases, ensuring safety, security and high-functioning environments for Defence personnel and contractors. You will oversee staff and facilities, engage with senior leaders, and align base activities with broader Defence priorities to support government readiness.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, security-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in complex operational environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Experience supporting senior leaders, government departments, or Ministers is desirable.
• Strong problem solving and decision making with a strategic mindset.
• Ability to manage safety, security, risk, and compliance in fast-paced settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead base operations across multiple bases within EWZ and NSW/WA/SA/ACT footprint.
• Oversee staff, facilities, and services to support Defence personnel and operations.
• Provide high-level advice and reporting to senior officials; engage with Defence leaders and other government partners.
• Align base activities with Defence priorities and readiness requirements.
• Drive risk management, security, and continuity of operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Job description

Our Bases vary significantly depending on the Services that they support. We're looking for confident and capable leaders to become Base Managers across our Zone. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, have the ability to work autonomously and have a strong commitment to the strategic outcomes of the Australian Defence Force. The Base Manager sits at the intersection of strategic planning, estate optimisation, base security, infrastructure management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will work closely with Defence members, contractors and other government partners to make sure everything from maintenance to security is effectively managed. It is fast-paced, people-focused work with a strong sense of purpose and community impact. You will take ownership of base operations, risk management, and support activities. You will play a critical leadership role in aligning the base’s functions with broader Defence priorities, supporting senior Defence leaders, and contributing to government readiness.

This role and service delivery environment requires a strong leader who is a sharp thinker and can lead on the ground. You will manage the staff, facilities, and services that support Defence personnel and operations. You will be responsible for ensuring the base remains a safe, secure, and highly functional environment for Australian Defence Force members, Australian Public Service staff and contractors. You will provide high-level advice and reporting to senior officials and, when required, support engagement with Defence leaders, other government departments, and Ministers.

About our Team

East and West Zone (EWZ) is a branch of Service Delivery Division within the Security and Estate Group. As part of Defence’s estate delivery network, EWZ supports capability readiness by providing coordinated, dependable and innovative estate and base management services. EWZ delivers essential, on the ground support to Defence personnel across New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Our work ensures Defence bases remain secure, well managed and responsive to the needs of Defence personnel, industry partners and enabling functions.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are after someone who is not just organised and reliable, but a strong leader who can bring people together and solve problems in a fast-paced environment. This role suits someone with strong leadership skills, practical experience in complex operational environments, and a commitment to excellence and service. You are calm under pressure, skilled at managing people and resources, and driven to achieve high standards in everything you do.

You should be able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, managing both short-term issues and long-term planning. You are comfortable working in a structured, security-conscious environment and understand the importance of supporting Defence operations with professionalism and integrity.

The skills that we seek in you:

• Exceptional leadership and team management capability, including the ability to drive positive outcomes in an operational and service delivery environment
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal), planning, and reporting skills, including preparation of briefs and high-level correspondence.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including experience supporting senior leaders, government departments, or Ministers and the ability to build trusted relationships with customers, contractors, service providers and community partners.
• High-level problem solving and decision making skills with a collaborative and strategic mindset to align local activities to broader Defence priorities.
• Resilient, adaptable, and skilled at prioritising work in fast-paced and complex operational environments, while maintaining a focus on safety, security, risk, compliance and operational continuity.

We are looking for an enthusiastic leader to join our team. This role is ideal for an energetic and motivated operational leader who is focused on ongoing self-improvement and professional development.

A Merit Pool of suitable candidates may be created for future placement.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Baseline Vetting” level.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

Our Bases vary significantly depending on the Services that they support. We're looking for confident and capable leaders to become Base Managers across our Zone. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, have the ability to work autonomously and have a strong commitment to the strategic outcomes of the Australian Defence Force. The Base Manager sits at the intersection of strategic planning, estate optimisation, base security, infrastructure management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will work closely with Defence members, contractors and other government partners to make sure everything from maintenance to security is effectively managed. It is fast-paced, people-focused work with a strong sense of purpose and community impact. You will take ownership of base operations, risk management, and support activities. You will play a critical leadership role in aligning the base’s functions with broader Defence priorities, supporting senior Defence leaders, and contributing to government readiness.

This role and service delivery environment requires a strong leader who is a sharp thinker and can lead on the ground. You will manage the staff, facilities, and services that support Defence personnel and operations. You will be responsible for ensuring the base remains a safe, secure, and highly functional environment for Australian Defence Force members, Australian Public Service staff and contractors. You will provide high-level advice and reporting to senior officials and, when required, support engagement with Defence leaders, other government departments, and Ministers.

About our Team

East and West Zone (EWZ) is a branch of Service Delivery Division within the Security and Estate Group. As part of Defence’s estate delivery network, EWZ supports capability readiness by providing coordinated, dependable and innovative estate and base management services. EWZ delivers essential, on the ground support to Defence personnel across New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Our work ensures Defence bases remain secure, well managed and responsive to the needs of Defence personnel, industry partners and enabling functions.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are after someone who is not just organised and reliable, but a strong leader who can bring people together and solve problems in a fast-paced environment. This role suits someone with strong leadership skills, practical experience in complex operational environments, and a commitment to excellence and service. You are calm under pressure, skilled at managing people and resources, and driven to achieve high standards in everything you do.

You should be able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, managing both short-term issues and long-term planning. You are comfortable working in a structured, security-conscious environment and understand the importance of supporting Defence operations with professionalism and integrity.

The skills that we seek in you:

• Exceptional leadership and team management capability, including the ability to drive positive outcomes in an operational and service delivery environment
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal), planning, and reporting skills, including preparation of briefs and high-level correspondence.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including experience supporting senior leaders, government departments, or Ministers and the ability to build trusted relationships with customers, contractors, service providers and community partners.
• High-level problem solving and decision making skills with a collaborative and strategic mindset to align local activities to broader Defence priorities.
• Resilient, adaptable, and skilled at prioritising work in fast-paced and complex operational environments, while maintaining a focus on safety, security, risk, compliance and operational continuity.

We are looking for an enthusiastic leader to join our team. This role is ideal for an energetic and motivated operational leader who is focused on ongoing self-improvement and professional development.

A Merit Pool of suitable candidates may be created for future placement.

Eligibility

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Baseline Vetting” level.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work‑life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers