Defence Registered Training Organisation (DRTO) Manager

Department of Defence; Australia; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Defence Registered Training Organisation (DRTO) Manager at the Department of Defence will lead a small specialist team responsible for governance, quality and continuous improvement of nationally recognised vocational education and training programs.

You will provide strategic leadership and trusted advice to senior stakeholders to keep Defence's education and training effective, contemporary and aligned with needs.

Qualifications

• Governance and quality assurance leadership experience.
• Experience with training governance and accreditation processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance, assurance and continuous improvement activities for Defence's DRTO programs.
• Provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders to align education and training with Defence needs.
• Support apprenticeship programs and nationally recognised training pathways.
• Build partnerships across diverse stakeholder environments and drive workforce capability initiatives.

Job description

Defence Registered Training Organisation (DRTO) Manager

The EL 1 Defence Registered Training Organisation (DRTO) Manager leads a small specialist team responsible for supporting the governance, quality and continuous improvement of Defence's nationally recognised vocational education and training programs. The role provides strategic leadership and trusted advice to senior stakeholders, helping to ensure Defence's education and training activities remain effective, contemporary and aligned with organisational needs.

Working across a diverse stakeholder environment, you will build partnerships, influence outcomes and contribute to initiatives that strengthen workforce capability and learning outcomes across Defence.

You will oversee a range of governance, assurance and continuous improvement activities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements while identifying opportunities to enhance organisational performance.

The role also supports workforce capability initiatives, including apprenticeship programs and nationally recognised training pathways, helping Defence deliver high-quality training outcomes that contribute to organisational capability and readiness.

About our Team

The Australian Defence College (ADC) is Defence's centre for professional military education, leadership development and learning innovation. The Directorate of Education, Learning and Training Authority (DELTA) plays an important role in supporting the quality, effectiveness and integrity of education and training outcomes across Defence.

As part of a small, high-performing team, you will work collaboratively with senior leaders, education specialists, training providers and external partners to support learning, workforce capability and professional development outcomes. The team provides strategic advice, governance, assurance and continuous improvement functions that help shape Defence's approach to nationally recognised training.

This role offers the opportunity to work on complex and meaningful challenges within a unique and purpose-driven environment. Your work will contribute directly to the development of Defence personnel, while helping to ensure the systems and frameworks that support education and training remain effective, compliant and fit for purpose. The team values collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement and professional development, and fosters an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a motivated and adaptable leader who can build strong relationships, provide sound professional advice and deliver high-quality outcomes in a complex and evolving environment. You will be comfortable leading a small teams, managing competing priorities and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve organisational objectives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead and develop a small team, fostering a positive, accountable and collaborative workplace culture.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to support informed decision-making.
• Interpret and apply legislative, regulatory, policy or governance frameworks.
• Analyse information, identify risks and opportunities, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver outcomes in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Communicate effectively with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

The ideal candidate will possess strong transferable skills and demonstrate sound judgement, initiative and resilience. They will be capable of quickly understanding unfamiliar subject matter, adapting to changing priorities and applying their experience to deliver practical and effective outcomes. Above all, they will be a collaborative and credible leader who is committed to achieving results, supporting their team and driving continuous improvement.

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 EL 1 Defence Registered Training Organisation (DRTO) Manager leads a small specialist team responsible for supporting the governance, quality and continuous improvement of Defence's nationally recognised vocational education and training programs. The role provides strategic leadership and trusted advice to senior stakeholders, helping to ensure Defence's education and training activities remain effective, contemporary and aligned with organisational needs.

Working across a diverse stakeholder environment, you will build partnerships, influence outcomes and contribute to initiatives that strengthen workforce capability and learning outcomes across Defence.

You will oversee a range of governance, assurance and continuous improvement activities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements while identifying opportunities to enhance organisational performance.

The role also supports workforce capability initiatives, including apprenticeship programs and nationally recognised training pathways, helping Defence deliver high-quality training outcomes that contribute to organisational capability and readiness.

About our Team

The Australian Defence College (ADC) is Defence's centre for professional military education, leadership development and learning innovation. The Directorate of Education, Learning and Training Authority (DELTA) plays an important role in supporting the quality, effectiveness and integrity of education and training outcomes across Defence.

As part of a small, high-performing team, you will work collaboratively with senior leaders, education specialists, training providers and external partners to support learning, workforce capability and professional development outcomes. The team provides strategic advice, governance, assurance and continuous improvement functions that help shape Defence's approach to nationally recognised training.

This role offers the opportunity to work on complex and meaningful challenges within a unique and purpose-driven environment. Your work will contribute directly to the development of Defence personnel, while helping to ensure the systems and frameworks that support education and training remain effective, compliant and fit for purpose. The team values collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement and professional development, and fosters an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a motivated and adaptable leader who can build strong relationships, provide sound professional advice and deliver high-quality outcomes in a complex and evolving environment. You will be comfortable leading a small teams, managing competing priorities and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve organisational objectives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead and develop a small team, fostering a positive, accountable and collaborative workplace culture.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to support informed decision-making.
• Interpret and apply legislative, regulatory, policy or governance frameworks.
• Analyse information, identify risks and opportunities, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver outcomes in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Communicate effectively with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

The ideal candidate will possess strong transferable skills and demonstrate sound judgement, initiative and resilience. They will be capable of quickly understanding unfamiliar subject matter, adapting to changing priorities and applying their experience to deliver practical and effective outcomes. Above all, they will be a collaborative and credible leader who is committed to achieving results, supporting their team and driving continuous improvement.

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