Program Manager

Ressam; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ressam is seeking a Program Manager to join the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, ACT. The role is onsite, five days a week with a 40-hour week and an initial 12-month contract, with the option to extend for two additional 12-month periods.

Responsibilities include overseeing ICT programs across areas such as Consular, Data and AI, and Enterprise Applications, ensuring governance and alignment with organisational objectives, managing vendors and stakeholders, and acting as a

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience delivering IT projects of varying size and complexity.
• Experience managing multiple projects or programs.
• Experience in complex ICT environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Excellent written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage interdependencies across projects to support program outcomes.
• Deliver monthly program dashboard reporting including financials, milestones, risks and issues.
• Support governance forums and delivery boards.
• Support iterative and agile delivery practices.
• Determine, monitor and review program scope, costs, schedules and benefits.
• Ensure activities comply with governance standards.
• Prepare material to communicate program outcomes and status.
• Facilitate scheduling of program resources.
• Coordinate change management activities.
• Lead stakeholder relationships and complex problem solving.

Job description

• Initial contract of 12 months with 2 x 12 months.
• Based in ACT.
• Requires NV1 security clearance.

Security

Due to client requirements, candidates must be an Australian citizen with active NV1 Security clearance. Applicants residing outside of Australia or non-citizens will not be considered.

What We Are Looking For

Ressam is currently looking to fill a Program Manager role for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, please apply if the following role interest you.

Program Manager

Ressam is currently looking to fill up to three Program Manager roles for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Program Managers will work within DFAT's ICT Portfolio Management Office and provide strategic oversight and leadership across complex programs, including Consular, Data and AI, and Enterprise Applications. The role is responsible for aligning program delivery with organisational objectives, strengthening governance, managing vendors and stakeholders, and acting as a key escalation point for Project Managers.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage interdependencies across projects to support program outcomes, business benefits and objectives.
• Maintain a strategic view across assigned projects and deliver monthly program dashboard reporting covering financials, milestones, achievements, risks and issues.
• Support Project Managers to engage with governance and delivery forums, including the IMD Project Board, Monthly Project Management Forums and Architecture Review Board.
• Support iterative and agile delivery practices and participate in key playback and review sessions.
• Support Project Managers in determining, monitoring and reviewing program scope, costs, schedules and expected benefits.
• Ensure program activities comply with DFAT IMD governance standards and practices.
• Prepare material to communicate program outcomes, benefits and status.
• Support agreement on business requirements and identify opportunities to rationalise delivery across the program.
• Facilitate scheduling of program resources.
• Support and coordinate organisational change management resources and activities.
• Actively manage key stakeholder relationships within and outside the agency, provide leadership and support complex problem solving and issues management.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience delivering IT projects of varying size and complexity using a range of delivery approaches.
• Prior experience managing multiple projects or managing programs.
• Experience working in complex ICT environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly, concisely and persuasively.
• Experience leading teams and/or coaching staff.
• Minimum active NV1 security clearance.
• PRINCE2, PMBOK or equivalent industry certification.
• MSP or equivalent industry certification.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in complex global ICT environments.
• Experience delivering secure government systems.
• Knowledge of and experience applying relevant government legislative, compliance and security controls, including the Archives Act 1983, Privacy Act 1988, PGPA Act 2014, Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022, Commonwealth Procurement Rules, PSPF, ISM and Essential Eight.
• Experience in complementary areas such as business or systems analysis, organisational change management, software testing, applications, infrastructure engineering or support.
• Complementary or extension certifications in areas such as Agile, BABOK, ISTQB, Risk Management, Benefits Management or DMBOK.

Role Details

• Location: Canberra, ACT.
• Working arrangement: Onsite, 5 days per week.
• Maximum hours: 40 hours per week.
• Estimated start date: 16 November 2026.
• Initial term: 12 months.
• Extension options: 2 x 12 months.
• Experience level: EL2 equivalent.
• DFAT has an annual contractor stand-down period during December and January, usually 4-6 weeks at DFAT's discretion.

Contact Us

If you are interested in the Program Manager position or are looking for new opportunities, please reach out to us via email at: [e-mail].

For a confidential discussion, call us at: 0413 175 924 or 02 5119 2299.

Who We Are?

As experts in the Information Technology recruitment industry, Ressam provides both permanent and temporary personnel assignments. With our experience, extensive industry network, financial transparency, and collaboration with clients we consider ourselves one-of-a-kind IT recruiters when it comes to finding the perfect candidates for you.