Program Director - General Purpose Frigate

Austal; Cockburn; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Professional development

Supportive work environment

Career advancement

Job summary

Austal Defence Australia (ADA) seeks a Program Director for the General Purpose Frigate Program to lead a multi-disciplinary team through design assurance and build phases. You will act as primary client interface, drive strategic program direction, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with top-quality outcomes.

Bring 10+ years in shipbuilding leadership, proven dispersed-build experience, and strong stakeholder engagement. Eligibility for Defence clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in a Shipbuilding Leadership role within a Defence Program of similar complexity.
• Experience in leading a dispersed Shipbuilding build strategy.
• Strong management skills and team building capability.
• A thorough understanding of CASG contract mechanisms.
• Excellent influencing skills.
• Effective communication skills, and proven stakeholder management ability.
• Program, Business or Engineering Degree.
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary interface with the client, supporting contract negotiations and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders including the Commonwealth, MHI, ATLA, and suppliers.
• Lead the successful delivery of the General Purpose Frigate (GPF) Program, ensuring outcomes are achieved safely, on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Oversee contract performance, ensuring all deliverables, milestones, KPIs, and reporting requirements are met or exceeded.
• Manage program financials, including cost estimation, budgeting, forecasting, and achieving agreed financial performance targets.
• Establish and maintain effective risk management and governance frameworks, ensuring risks are mitigated and opportunities are identified.
• Drive the development and implementation of program strategies, including onshoring, build strategy, and incorporation of international best practices and lessons learned.
• Ensure the transfer and management of technical data, IP, and capability knowledge to support a robust technical baseline.
• Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture aligned with organisational objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Influencing

Contract management

Risk management

Education

Program, Business or Engineering Degree

Job description

Program Director - General Purpose Frigate

As Program Director for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you will act as the primary client interface for the General Purpose Frigate Program. Working alongside the existing leadership structure, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team through the Design Assurance and Build phases of the program

About Austal

Austal isAustralia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

• Act as the primary interface with the client, supporting contract negotiations and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders including the Commonwealth, MHI, ATLA, and suppliers
• Lead the successful delivery of the General Purpose Frigate (GPF) Program, ensuring outcomes are achieved safely, on time, within budget, and to required quality standards
• Oversee contract performance, ensuring all deliverables, milesstones, KPIs, and reporting requirements are met or exceeded
• Manage program financials, including cost estimation, budgeting, forecasting, and achieving agreed financial performance targets
• Establish and maintain effective risk management and governance frameworks, ensuring risks are mitigated and opportunities are identified
• Drive the development and implementation of program strategies, including onshoring, build strategy, and incorporation of international best practices and lessons learned
• Ensure the transfer and management of technical data, intellectual property, and capability knowledge to support a robust technical baseline
• Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture aligned with organisational objectives

You’ll Need

• 10+ years experience in a Shipbuilding Leadership role within a Defence Program of similar complexity
• Experience in leading a dispersed Shipbuilding build strategy
• Strong management skills and team building capability
• A thorough understanding of CASG contract mechanisms
• Excellent influencing skills
• Effective communication skills, and proven stakeholder management ability
• Program, Business or Engineering Degree
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.