Director Infrastructure Operations

Australian Submarine Agency; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Submarine Agency seeks a dynamic Director Infrastructure Operations to lead the IPPI team in delivering a nationally significant infrastructure portfolio to enable AUKUS submarine capability. The role entails using commercial, workforce and financial levers to improve delivery confidence, support executive decision-making and strengthen organisational performance.

The successful candidate will shape strategy, manage complex programs across multiple sites, and provide authoritative

Qualifications

• Experience leading and growing teams while building capability.
• Strategic thinking with sound judgement, with the ability to solve complex problems.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement in reporting, information management, governance and organisational performance.
• Experience working within large-scale project, infrastructure, program or portfolio environments.
• Strong commercial, financial and business management acumen, with the ability to translate data and insight into decisions and action.
• A demonstrated ability to influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups, particularly where success depends on relationships, collaboration and strategic influence rather than direct authority.
• Experience identifying and managing enterprise risks, opportunities and dependencies to improve delivery outcomes.
• The ability to operate confidently in ambiguity, providing clear advice and direction in complex and evolving environments.
• Exceptional communication skills and experience providing advice to senior executives, government stakeholders and delivery partners.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Financial/commercial acumen

Governance and reporting

Ambiguity management

Job description

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. The Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) Infrastructure Planning and Coordination (IP&C) Division is responsible for planning and coordinating the delivery of physical infrastructure that will enable AUKUS partners to have a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling, support Australia’s acquisition and sustainment of Virginia Class submarines, and deliver Australia’s sovereign build and sustainment of SSN-AUKUS submarines. As the Director Infrastructure Operations, you will lead a critical function within the Infrastructure Planning, Performance and Integration (IPPI) team, supporting the delivery of a complex, nationally significant infrastructure portfolio. You will use commercial, workforce, financial and business operations levers to improve organisational performance, strengthen delivery confidence and enable informed executive decision‑making. This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in ASA as a Building Capability Payment (BCP). This enables ASA to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the ASA Enterprise Agreement, for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to ASA capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

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. The Infrastructure Planning and Coordination (IP&C) Division is responsible for coordinating the infrastructure that enables Australia's nuclear-powered submarine capability. Our work spans major programs and sites across Western Australia and South Australia, bringing together government, industry and international partners to deliver nationally significant outcomes. Joining IP&C means working in a collaborative and high-performing environment where you can shape strategy, influence delivery outcomes and contribute to one of Australia's most complex infrastructure portfolios.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high‑paced work. We are seeking an accomplished pro‑active leader with experience operating at the intersection of business operations, commercial management and portfolio delivery. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience leading and growing teams while building capability, improving performance and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement, with the ability to solve complex problems and balance competing organisational priorities.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement in reporting, information management, governance and organisational performance
• Experience working within large‑scale project, infrastructure, program or portfolio environments.
• Strong commercial, financial and business management acumen, with the ability to translate data and insight into decisions and action.
• A demonstrated ability to influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups, particularly where success depends on relationships, collaboration and strategic influence rather than direct authority.
• Experience identifying and managing enterprise risks, opportunities and dependencies to improve delivery outcomes.
• The ability to operate confidently in ambiguity, providing clear advice and direction in complex and evolving environments.
• Exceptional communication skills and experience providing advice to senior executives, government stakeholders and delivery partners.