Program Director, Naval Shipbuilding Leader

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

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.