Project Director

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BDCP Payment

Job summary

The Department of Defence is seeking an EL 2 Project Director within the Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships Branch to lead the delivery of multiple complex projects that support national defence objectives.

You will provide executive leadership to multidisciplinary teams, manage governance, commercial and risk, and deliver outcomes on time, within budget and to high quality standards, with a focus on continuous improvement and stakeholder partnership.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex naval capability projects and ensure governance, commercial, financial, schedule, risk and stakeholder management.
• Provide authoritative advice to senior executives, industry partners and government stakeholders on project and capability issues.
• Foster high-performing, inclusive teams with clear expectations and accountability for project delivery.

Job description

As an EL 2 Project Director within the Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships (OPSS) Branch, you will lead the delivery of multiple complex and strategically significant projects that contribute directly to National Defence Strategy objectives.

Operating with a high degree of independence, you will provide leadership to multidisciplinary teams, overseeing all aspects of project delivery including governance, commercial, financial, schedule, risk, technical and stakeholder management. You will translate strategic direction into achievable outcomes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

The role requires the provision of authoritative advice to senior executives, industry partners and government stakeholders on complex project and capability issues. You will build and maintain strong relationships across Defence and industry, influence decision-making, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

As a senior leader, you will foster a high-performing and inclusive workforce, developing team capability, setting clear expectations and promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration and excellence in project delivery.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

The OPSS Branch delivers some of Defence’s most visible and impactful maritime capability acquisitions. Our work directly contributes to Australia’s national security, maritime surveillance, and border protection, through the acquisition of patrol boats, specialist vessels, and emerging maritime capabilities.

We are responsible for a diverse portfolio that includes the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats, the Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Panel, and a range of other capability to support emerging operational requirements. Our culture strikes a strong balance between professionalism and authenticity. We value initiative, strategic thinking, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to challenge constructively. People are trusted to take ownership, work collaboratively and bring fresh perspectives to complex problems.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a strategic and influential leader who understands that successful project delivery is about more than acquiring capability.

You bring a strong appreciation of how acquisition decisions contribute to the objectives of continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, industry development, and broader Government priorities. You think beyond individual projects to considering impacts across the full capability lifecycle in order to deliver enduring value.

You have significant experience leading a team to deliver complex acquisition outcomes within highly regulated environments. With a strong understanding of Defence governance and Government decision-making processes, you are able to navigate approval pathways, develop compelling advice for senior decision-makers, and balance capability, commercial, policy and stakeholder considerations to achieve outcomes.

You bring procurement and contract management expertise, including experience delivering complex or non-standard acquisitions. You apply sound commercial adjustment to manage strategic supplier relationships, navigate challenges in delivery, and drive outcomes in dynamic and often ambiguous environments.

You are comfortable operating in senior executive environments and understand how to provide the right information in a concise and practical way to support informed decision-making. You engage confidently with senior Defence leaders, industry executives and Government stakeholders, building credibility, influencing outcomes and fostering productive partnerships.

Most importantly, you are an experienced project leader who thrives in complexity. You bring together people, resources and strategy to deliver results, drive continuous improvement and build high-performing teams capable of delivering critical Defence capability.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers