National Manager Standards & Capability

Ventia; Sydney; Remote; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Strategic leadership

Nationwide impact

ASX-listed employer

Executive stakeholder engagement

Flexible location

Impactful role

Job summary

Ventia is seeking an exceptional fire and emergency services leader to join our Defence Fire Services team as National Fire Standards & Capability Manager. This nationally significant role will shape standard, capability, operational readiness and innovation across a Defence contract, with the ability to influence across WA, SA, VIC, NSW or QLD.

Reporting to the Project Director, you will lead development of future-focused fire service capabilities, governance, training standards and fleet

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within Fire & Rescue, Emergency Services, Defence or similar complex environments.
• Expertise in capability development, governance, operational assurance and compliance.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead national Fire Services standards and capability roadmap.
• Drive governance, compliance frameworks and operational readiness.
• Shape doctrine, policy and future capability development.
• Oversee training, workforce development and competency assurance.
• Lead QA, audit and continuous improvement programs.
• Drive innovation and new service opportunities.
• Build relationships with Defence, emergency services and industry stakeholders.

Skills

Senior leadership

Capability development

Governance

Operational assurance

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Change management

Education

Emergency Management / Fire Services / Public Safety degree

Postgraduate qualifications in Defence or related field

Job description

Ventia is seeking an exceptional fire and emergency services leader to join our Defence Fire Services team as National Fire Standards & Capability Manager.

This newly established national leadership role presents a unique opportunity to influence standard, capability, operational readiness and innovation across a nationally significant Fire Services contract supporting the Australian Defence Force.

Reporting directly to the Project Director, you will lead the development of future-focused fire service capabilities, operational doctrine, compliance frameworks, training standards, fleet governance and service innovation while driving continuous improvement across a geographically dispersed workforce. This role can be based in WA, SA, VIC, NSW or QLD.

About the Role

As Ventia's senior Fire Services Subject Matter Expert, you will:

• Lead the national Fire Services standards and capability roadmap
• Drive operational readiness, governance and compliance frameworks
• Shape fire service doctrine, policy and future capability development
• Provide strategic oversight of training, workforce development and competency assurance
• Lead quality assurance, audit and continuous improvement programs
• Drive innovation, business growth and new service opportunities
• Build trusted relationships with Defence, emergency services and industry stakeholders
• Provide strategic oversight of fleet, equipment and infrastructure capability

This role offers significant influence across the Defence Fire Services contract and will play a critical role in shaping the future delivery of emergency response services nationwide.

About You

You are a respected Fire and Emergency Services leader with extensive experience operating in complex, highly regulated environments.

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within Fire & Rescue, Emergency Services, Defence, Government or a similarly complex operational environment
• Demonstrated expertise in capability development, governance, operational assurance and compliance
• Experience leading large-scale transformation, strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and government stakeholders
• Experience managing nationally dispersed teams and programs
• Tertiary qualifications in Emergency Management, Fire Services, Public Safety or a related discipline
• Postgraduate qualifications and Defence experience will be highly regarded.

Why Ventia?

• Strategic national leadership opportunity
• Shape the future of Defence Fire Services across Australia
• Join an ASX-listed industry leader with long-term Defence partnerships
• Executive-level stakeholder engagement and influence
• Flexible national location
• Career-defining opportunity to leave a lasting impact on emergency services capability

Applicants must be Australian Citizens and be eligible to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance.

About Ventia

As a leading services provider, we maintain, operate, and manage the essential infrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports career growth, and helps everyone go further towards their full potential.

Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.