IT Demand Manager

Saab Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks paid leave

14% superannuation

Income protection insurance

Flexible working options

Saab shares matching scheme

MySaab discount program

Job summary

Saab Australia is seeking an experienced Manager IT Demand to lead the intake, assessment and prioritisation of IT initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment and measurable value. You’ll work with business leaders, architects and delivery teams to balance priorities, roadmaps and investment decisions across a diverse IT portfolio.

Initially, probation requires five days per week in the office with potential for hybrid arrangements after probation, including a 9-day fortnight.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in IT demand management or related strategic IT leadership.
• Experience with governance, investment decisions, and portfolio management.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to influence across senior levels.
• Understanding of enterprise architecture and technology roadmaps.
• Financial acumen including CAPEX/OPEX and value realization.

Responsibilities

• Lead intake, assessment, prioritisation, and strategic shaping of IT initiatives.
• Collaborate with business leaders, architects, delivery teams to align demand with strategy.
• Balance priorities, roadmaps, resources and investment decisions across IT portfolio.
• Guide governance, standardisation, and alignment with target-state architecture.

Skills

IT Demand Management

Portfolio Management

Business Analysis

Strategic IT Leadership

Education

Degree in Business/Information Systems

MBA (desirable)

Job description

IT DEMAND MANAGER

Shape the Future of Technology Investment and Strategy

Saab Australia is seeking an experienced and strategic Manager IT Demand to join our IT leadership team. Reporting to the Head of IT, this pivotal role serves as the primary link between business stakeholders and IT, ensuring technology investments deliver measurable business value and support our long-term strategic objectives.

If you're passionate about portfolio management, business engagement, enterprise architecture alignment, and turning business needs into impactful technology outcomes, this is an opportunity to influence enterprise-wide decision-making within a highly innovative and mission-critical environment.

As the Manager IT Demand, you will lead the intake, assessment, prioritisation, and strategic shaping of IT initiatives across the organisation. Acting as the front door to IT, you'll work closely with business leaders, architects, delivery teams, and governance functions to ensure demand is aligned to strategy, appropriately governed, and positioned for successful delivery.

You’ll play a critical role in balancing business priorities, technology roadmaps, resource capacity, and investment decisions across a diverse IT portfolio.

For the duration of the probation period, this position requires full-time attendance in the office (five days per week). Upon successful completion of probation, flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working and a 9-day fortnight, can be discussed.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Demand Management

• Partner with business leaders to understand strategic objectives, challenges, and opportunities.
• Develop and support robust business cases for technology investments.
• Translate business needs into clear, structured requirements and solution options.
• Ensure all initiatives are aligned with business strategy and deliver measurable value.

Portfolio Governance & Prioritisation

• Manage and optimise the enterprise IT portfolio across Run, Grow, and Transform initiatives.
• Facilitate prioritisation and investment decisions with senior stakeholders.
• Forecast demand and resource requirements across IT functions.
• Balance strategic initiatives, operational improvements, compliance obligations, and technical debt.

Technology Strategy & Architecture Alignment

• Collaborate with Enterprise Architects and governance teams to ensure technology decisions align with target-state architecture.
• Guide application selection and evaluation processes for SaaS and COTS solutions.
• Drive standardisation and reduce unnecessary technology duplication.
• Maintain alignment between technology roadmaps and business priorities.

About You

You are a trusted advisor who can comfortably engage with both senior executives and technical teams. You bring strong commercial acumen, governance expertise, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

You'll Bring

• 10+ years' experience in IT Demand Management, Portfolio Management, Business Analysis, or a related strategic IT leadership role.
• Experience within complex, highly regulated environments such as Defence, Government, Aerospace, Critical Infrastructure, or similar industries.
• Strong expertise in business case development, investment governance, and portfolio management.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Sound understanding of Enterprise Architecture and technology roadmaps.
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including CAPEX/OPEX management and value realisation.
• Experience facilitating prioritisation forums and balancing competing organisational demands.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Information Systems, IT, or related discipline.
• MBA or professional certifications such as PMP, CBAP, COBIT, or equivalent.
• COBIT 2019/2020 Practitioner or similar governance certification.

Applicants must be Australian citizens

Applicants must be Australian citizens and hold or be able to obtain an Australian Defence Security Clearance to NV1/NV2 level. Information including past and present nationality and citizenship may be requested to check eligibility for access to materials controlled under various export control regimes, including ITAR.

About Us

Saab Australia is a defence, security and cyber solutions provider, specialising in the development and integration of major defence and security systems. For over 35 years in Australia, we have built a reputation for delivering complex systems integration projects that provide proven and advanced capabilities to keep us ahead of today’s challenges.

From combat, communications, security and underwater systems to mixed reality, cyber security and deployable health solutions, our extensive portfolio of products and services provide high-technology solutions for defence forces and civil industries across the globe.

Culture And Benefits

We employ over 1000 Australians and are committed to fostering a culture of excellence and enriching the employee experience.

By joining Saab, you’ll be a part of a collaborative and supportive organisation, where your professional growth and work-life balance are emphasised. You’ll work within an innovative and vibrant workplace, while having the opportunity to develop a long-term, fulfilling career.

As a valued team member of Saab Australia, you’ll access a variety of perks and benefits to support you and your family including:

• 6 weeks paid leave each year
• 14% superannuation
• Free Income Protection Insurance
• Flexible working options
• Access to the Saab shares matching scheme
• Access to MySaab - our online store offering everything from cash back at hundreds of stores to discounts from exclusive partners

Applications

By submitting an application to Saab, you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities including, but not limited to, reference checks, Australian Federal Police check, verification of working rights and qualifications, sanctions screening and a pre-employment medical declaration.

Saab Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to apply. We also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds.

Saab Australia is a nationally recognised Veteran Employer of Choice that welcomes the interest of ex-service members, veterans and their families.