Deputy Project Manager

Austal; Cockburn; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Career advancement

Training opportunities

Supportive environment

Job summary

Austal is seeking a Deputy Project Manager to support the ECCPB program for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force. You will assist with cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder management while acting as Acceptance Manager for vessel handovers.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will lead commercial and contract administration, coordinate CCPs/SQs, and drive governance frameworks across the program in a Defence shipbuilding context.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in Project Management or Project Controls.
• Experience within Defence or complex commercial project environments.
• Degree or Trade Qualification in a relevant field.
• Sound understanding of project delivery methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in cost control, forecasting, and financial management.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), Estimate at Completion (EAC), and project controls.
• Commercial and contract administration experience.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and client relationship management skills.
• Experience in risk and issue management.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance.
• Professional Project Management certification (AIPM, PMI, PRINCE2 or equivalent).
• Experience within the Shipbuilding, Maritime, or Defence industry.
• Familiarity with the AUSDEFCON contracting model.
• Experience supporting complex Defence acquisition or sustainment programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead vessel acceptance activities as the nominated Acceptance Manager.
• Support project cost control, forecasting, budget tracking, and financial performance.
• Administer Earned Value Management (EVM) processes and reporting requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate Estimate at Completion (EAC) submissions and approvals.
• Manage project invoicing and milestone schedules.
• Lead commercial activities and provide contract administration support.
• Prepare and manage Contract Change Proposals (CCPs) and Statements of Qualifications (SQs).
• Maintain project governance artefacts, procedures, registers, and reporting frameworks.
• Manage project risk and opportunity registers.
• Support client engagement activities and maintain positive stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure project outcomes are delivered in line with scope, schedule, cost, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and compliance with governance processes.
• Support the Project Manager and act in the role when required.

Skills

Project Management

Project Controls

Stakeholder Engagement

Cost Control

EVM

Contract Administration

Education

Degree in relevant field

Trade Qualification

Tools

EVM

Job description

About the Opportunity

Austal is seeking a motivated and commercially minded Deputy Project Manager to support the delivery of the Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat (ECCPB) Program for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of project objectives across cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder management. You will also act as the nominated Acceptance Manager for vessel acceptance activities while leading commercial and contract administration functions across the program.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a project professional looking to further develop their leadership capability within a complex Defence shipbuilding environment.

About Austal

Austal is Australia's global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world's leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam. With operations spanning multiple sites, Austal offers diverse career opportunities in trades, maintenance, engineering support, project services, corporate functions and operational delivery.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We're driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What's Involved

• Lead and coordinate vessel acceptance activities as the nominated Acceptance Manager.
• Support project cost control, forecasting, budget tracking, and financial performance.
• Administer Earned Value Management (EVM) processes and reporting requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate Estimate at Completion (EAC) submissions and approvals.
• Manage project invoicing and milestone schedules.
• Lead commercial activities and provide contract administration support.
• Prepare and manage Contract Change Proposals (CCPs) and Statements "Quotations" (S&Qs).
• Maintain project governance artefacts, procedures, registers, and reporting frameworks.
• Manage project risk and opportunity registers.
• Support client engagement activities and maintain positive stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure project outcomes are delivered in line with scope, schedule, cost, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and compliance with governance processes.
• Support the Project Manager and act in the role when required.

You’ll Need

• Minimum 3 years' experience in Project Management, Project Controls, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience within Defence and/or complex commercial project environments.
• Degree or Trade Qualification in a relevant field.
• Sound understanding of project delivery methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in cost control, forecasting, and financial management.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), Estimate at Completion (EAC), and project controls.
• Commercial and contract administration experience.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and client relationship management skills.
• Experience in risk and issue management.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance.
• Professional Project Management certification (AIPM, PMI, PRINCE2 or equivalent).
• Experience within the Shipbuilding, Maritime, or Defence industry.
• Familiarity with the AUSDEFCON contracting model.
• Experience supporting complex Defence acquisition or sustainment programs.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

Learn more at https://www.austaljobs.com/australia

Desired Skills and Experience

Project Management, risk, schedule and cost controll.