IT Demand Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks paid leave

14% superannuation

Free Income Protection Insurance

Flexible working options

Saab shares matching scheme

MySaab discounts

Job summary

Saab Australia is seeking a Manager IT Demand to join the IT leadership team. You will act as the front door to IT demand, aligning business needs with strategy, governance, and delivery, while balancing priorities and roadmaps across a diverse portfolio.

You will lead intake, prioritisation and investment decisions, engage with executives, architects and delivery teams, and drive value realisation in a high‑impact defence and security environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in IT Demand Management, Portfolio Management, Business Analysis, or related strategic IT leadership.
• Experience within complex, highly regulated environments such as Defence, Government, Aerospace, or Critical Infrastructure.
• Strong expertise in business case development, investment governance, and portfolio management.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Strategic Demand Management across Run, Grow and Transform initiatives.
• Partner with business leaders to translate objectives into structured requirements and solution options.
• Develop and support robust business cases for technology investments.

Skills

IT Demand Management

Portfolio Management

Business Analysis

Stakeholder Engagement

Governance

Enterprise Architecture

CAPEX/OPEX Management

Value Realisation

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or PMP/CBAP/COBIT

Job description

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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 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

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.

Regardless of whether you value cutting edge technology, creativity or an innovative environment, everyone at Saab contributes to keeping people and society safe.