Program Risk Manager

Assemble Solutions; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 166,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Assemble Solutions seeks a Senior Risk Manager for a major Australian Defence program. You will lead risk posture development, mature governance, and provide independent risk leadership at senior executive levels in Canberra with flexible WFH options.

This is a high-visibility, specialist role requiring Defence domain mastery and authoritative briefing capability. You will own the program’s risk posture, integrate risk with cost/schedule controls, and drive uplift in identification, assessment

Qualifications

• Deep Defence risk experience in a major program or directorate.
• Ownership of a risk register as core responsibility, not a consulting engagement.
• Experience briefing SES/Band 1-2 and holding the room with authority.
• Strong Defence risk frameworks and tooling knowledge (PRIM, Predict!, Capability One).
• Ability to operate independently at senior executive levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and uplift of the program's risk posture.
• Operate as the directorate's senior risk specialist reporting to executive leadership.
• Deliver high-quality risk reporting and briefings to Band 1 and Band 2 stakeholders.
• Drive uplift in risk identification, assessment, treatment and monitoring across the program.
• Ensure risk artefacts, registers, dashboards and docs meet Defence governance standards.
• Integrate risk with schedule, cost and program controls for credible decisions.
• Provide authoritative advice on risk frameworks and best practices.
• Influence and lead in a complex Defence environment.

Skills

Risk management

Executive briefing

Independent operator

Risk analytics

Tools

Power BI

PRIM

Predict!

Capability One

Job description

On behalf of our clients who operate in the Australian Defence sector we are currently seeking an exceptional Senior Risk Manager to lead risk posture development and uplift across a major Defence capability program. This role requires deep Defence experience, strong technical risk expertise, and the confidence to operate independently at senior executive levels.

The role is being offered as long term day rate contract role and will be based form client's site in Canberra with work from home flexibility also on offer. Please note that candidates need to be based in Canberra to be considered for this role.

This is not a blended PM/risk role. It is a specialist position for someone who has owned risk inside Defence, someone who understands the tempo, the governance expectations, and the level of scrutiny that comes with briefing Band 1 and Band 2 leaders.

About the Role

You will serve as the dedicated risk authority within a high-visibility Defence directorate. Operating independently, you will be responsible for establishing, maturing and maintaining the program’s risk posture, ensuring risk insights are accurate, defensible and aligned with broader capability objectives.

This role requires a mix of technical rigour, strategic thinking and personal presence. You must be able to stand up in front of senior executives, communicate complex risk positions clearly, and hold the room with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance and uplift of the program’s risk posture.
• Operate independently as the directorate’s senior risk specialist, reporting directly to executive leadership.
• Deliver high-quality risk reporting and briefings to Band 1 and Band 2 stakeholders.
• Drive uplift in risk identification, assessment, treatment and monitoring across the program.
• Ensure risk artefacts, registers, dashboards and documentation meet Defence governance and assurance standards.
• Integrate risk with schedule, cost and program controls to support credible decision‑making.
• Provide authoritative advice on risk frameworks, methodologies and best practice.
• Bring energy, initiative and gumption, the ability to influence, challenge and lead in a complex environment.

Mandatory Requirements

• Deep Defence experience — you have run risk inside a Defence program, SPO, capability office or prime.
• Ownership of a risk register as your core role, not as a consulting engagement.
• Demonstrated experience briefing SES/Band 1-2 and holding the room with authority.
• Strong technical capability across Defence risk frameworks and tooling, including:
  • PRIM
  • Predict!
  • Capability One
  • Integrated cost/schedule/risk approaches
  • NV1 clearance (minimum).
• Ability to operate independently

Highly Desirable

• Experience in maritime, shipbuilding or submarine-related capability environments.
• Exposure to nuclear-related capability programs.
• Professional certifications such as PMI-RMP, PMP or CPPM.
• Data analytics capability, including experience using Power BI to develop risk dashboards, trend analysis, and executive‑level reporting.

Who This Role Suits

This role is ideal for a senior Defence risk professional who thrives in high-stakes environments, enjoys operating autonomously, and brings both technical depth and strong interpersonal presence. You’ll be someone who can quickly build credibility, influence senior leaders, and deliver risk insights that genuinely shape program direction.