Deputy Director Capability

Department of Defence; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Defence seeks a Deputy Director Capability to lead a national portfolio of projects, capability development initiatives and resource programs for Fleet Support Unit Australia. You will shape capability planning, project delivery and workforce development while aligning with Defence strategies and sovereign sustainment goals.

You will oversee implementation plans, secure work packages and drive capability uplift across workshops, coordinating with Navy and APS colleagues to

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex projects, programs or capability outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• A strategic mindset and ability to translate it into outcomes in a dynamic environment.
• Strong commercial, financial, schedule and risk management capability.
• Experience building a high performance culture and fostering people.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for capability planning, project delivery, workforce development and business improvement.
• Determine maintenance and support capabilities and implement plans to achieve them.
• Secure work packages to sustain workforce proficiency and deliver capability uplift initiatives.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Commercial acumen

People leadership

Job description

The Deputy Director Capability is responsible for leading a national portfolio of projects, capability development initiatives and resource programs across Fleet Support Unit Australia (FSU-AUST). The role focuses on identifying, developing and sustaining workforce and maintenance capabilities that support Navy's current and future requirements, while ensuring effective utilisation of FSU personnel across all workshops.

The position provides strategic direction for capability planning, project delivery, workforce development and business improvement activities. It is responsible for determining what maintenance and support capabilities FSU should provide, developing implementation plans to achieve those capabilities, securing appropriate work packages to sustain workforce proficiency, and delivering capability uplift initiatives aligned with Plan Pelorus, the National Defence Strategy and sovereign sustainment objectives.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

Fleet Support Unit (FSU) is the home of the Navy’s uniformed technical workforce when they are ashore. FSU is a core provider of repair and maintenance services – improving the seaworthiness of the Navy’s ships, submarines and other Commonwealth of Australia maritime assets. We work in conjunction with Navy, other Defence Groups, our Allies, and our industry partners to deliver complex maritime maintenance outcomes for the Commonwealth.

In addition to being involved in safeguarding Australia’s sovereignty, security and prosperity, you will also have access to competitive working conditions.

As an Australian Public Servant in Defence, you will be supported in balancing work and family priorities and the remuneration package includes a generous superannuation contribution (15.4%).

The FSU team has up to 900 employees at any one time, is comprised of Navy officers, senior sailors, and junior sailors (marine technicians, electronic technicians, and boatswains mates), and is supported by a small team of Australian Public Service staff. The Deputy Director Capability will work from the National Office, on base at HMAS Kuttabul (Potts Point NSW), leading a team of sailors and APS members to support Fleet Support Units across Australia.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an accomplished leader who thrives in complex environments and is motivated by delivering outcomes that have genuine national impact. You combine strong project delivery expertise with the ability to lead people, build partnerships and influence strategic outcomes. You are comfortable leading through complexity, making decisions and balancing competing priorities while maintaining focus on delivery. You build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels and bring the credibility, judgement and communication skills required to influence senior leaders, industry partners and multidisciplinary teams.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading complex projects, programs or capability outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• A strategic mindset and the ability translate it to outcomes in a dynamic.
• Strong commercial, financial, schedule and risk management capability.
• Experience building a high performance culture and fostering people.
• Sound judgement, resilience and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Eligibility

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

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

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