IT Strategy and Governance Manager

Saab Australia Pty Ltd; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks paid leave

14% superannuation

Income protection insurance

Flexible working options

Saab shares matching

MySaab store discounts

Job summary

Saab Australia Pty Ltd is seeking a forward-thinking Manager IT Strategy and Governance to shape technology direction, strengthen governance and ensure IT investments deliver measurable business value.

Reporting to the Head of IT, you will lead the strategic steering layer of our Demand-Deliver-Service model, guide risk, comply with frameworks, and collaborate with executives to enable value-driven delivery and innovation across the organisation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in IT management or strategy with governance focus.
• Experience shaping governance frameworks, risk/compliance practices.
• Ability to translate IT strategy into business value.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement IT strategy and governance across the organisation.
• Lead policy lifecycle management, reviews, approvals and enforcement.
• Coordinate IT risk assessments and mitigation with Head of IT.
• Develop portfolio roadmaps for Innovation, Data, Infrastructure/Cloud, Applications and AI.
• Establish KPIs, SLAs and Balanced Scorecards for the Demand-Deliver-Service model.

Skills

IT governance

IT strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/Business

MBA or postgraduate qualification

PMP/Prince2/Agile

ITIL/ COBIT certification

Job description

Manager IT Strategy & Governance Lead with confidence. Govern with purpose. Transform with Technology. Saab is seeking a forward-thinking Manager, IT Strategy and Governance to shape our technology direction, strengthen governance and ensure IT investments deliver measurable business value. Reporting to the Head of IT, this role leads the strategic “steering” layer of our Demand-Deliver-Service IT Operating Model. You will guide governance frameworks, risk and compliance practices, and technology roadmaps that align IT capability with business priorities. Working closely with executive stakeholders, business leaders and IT teams, you will provide the structure and guardrails needed to support safe, effective and value-driven delivery. This role helps ensure IT is not only delivering services, but actively enabling strategy, accountability and innovation across the organisation.

In this role you will

• Drive IT Strategy and governance across the organisation.
• Lead IT policy, lifecycle management, drafting, review, approval, communication, and enforcement within review cadence of the business.
• Conduct and coordinate IT risk assessments, escalated material risks with recommended mitigations to the Head of IT.
• Own the development of overarching strategies for Innovation, Data, Infrastructure/Cloud, Applications, and AI, ensuring these portfolios evolve coherently rather than in isolation, and are aligned to the overarching IT Strategy.
• Facilitate IT demand intake and prioritization processes, ensuring requests are evaluated against strategic value, risk and capacity.
• Establish and report on IT-specific KPIs, SLA’s and Balanced Scorecards that track the efficacy of the Demand-Deliver-Service model.
• Lead, support and coach employees for continual performance and development within their jobs and build future talent to ensure the organisation has the right skills for the future.
• Foster a learning culture with demonstrated self-awareness and knowledge sharing for continuous improvement.

Your skills and experience will include

10+ years in IT management, strategy, or consulting, with a specific focus on enterprise-wide governance in complex, highly regulated, hybrid environments.

Key Competencies

• Ability to define "Target State" capabilities and roadmaps that enable the business agility to respond to future shifts in market and technology landscapes.
• Expertise in COBIT/ITIL frameworks to implement effective decision‑making hierarchies without stifling agile delivery.
• Proven ability to navigate complex GRC requirements in a highly regulated industry.
• Capability in IT Financial Management (TBM/FinOps), ensuring cost transparency and alignment of CAPEX/OPEX with strategic value.
• Collaborative Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence business leaders and IT delivery teams to adopt and adhere to enterprise‑wide standards.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Information Systems, or a related field; MBA or postgraduate qualification highly regarded PMP/Prince2, Agile (Scrum/SAFe).
• ITIL or COBIT Foundation certifications are highly desirable.

Able to meet eligibility requirements for an Australian Defence Security Clearance to Negative Vetting Level 2 (existing clearance highly desirable).

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.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

What you will be part of

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

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.

Culture and benefits

We employ over 1,000 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.

Benefits

• 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

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.

Saab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer – all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran or disability status.