Project Director

Department of Defence; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence seeks a Project Director in the LC4S Branch to lead the acquisition of complex projects delivering critical C4 systems for the Australian Defence Forces Land Domain. You will oversee a large, diverse team and manage relationships with senior Capability Manager Representatives and industry partners to ensure outcomes.

Role requires in-depth knowledge of project management across the capability life cycle, strong judgement under pressure, and the ability to influence across

Qualifications

• Strong and in-depth understanding across all aspects of project management and the Defence Capability Life Cycle.
• Ability to exercise judgement under pressure and apply governance.
• Proven experience in budget management and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Extensive stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills with senior partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, diverse, geographically dispersed team of PM, commercial, procurement, engineering and logistics resources to deliver capability outcomes for the ADF.
• Develop and maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships with senior representatives and industry partners.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of project management methodologies, legislative frameworks, and Defence policy requirements.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Negotiation

Budget management

Governance

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Job description

Land Command, Control, Communications & Computer Systems (LC4S) Branch

Land Command, Control, Communications & Computer Systems (LC4S) Branch is seeking dynamic leaders who demonstrate a proven track record of delivering complex projects and programs. Suitable applicants will exhibit exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills, and will have a history of building, maintaining and growing effective and empowered teams.

Project Director in LC4S Branch

As a Project Director in LC4S Branch you will lead the acquisition of complex projects to deliver critical C4 systems for the Australian Defence Forces (ADFs) Land Domain.

You will:

• Lead a large, diverse and geographically dispersed multi-disciplinary team of project management, commercial and procurement, engineering and logistics resources to achieve capability outcomes for the ADF;
• Be responsible for ensuring the development and maintenance of internal and external stakeholder relationships, including with senior level Capability Manager Representatives and Industry Partners; and
• Be required to have an in-depth knowledge of (and compliance with) project management methodologies, legislative frameworks, government decision-making and Defence’s broader mission and policy requirements.

LC4S Branch is seeking to fill a critical leadership position that directly influences and drives outcomes under the LAND 4140 program and the 2026 National Defence Strategy.

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

Land Command, Control, Communications & Computer Systems (LC4S) Branch under Joint Systems Division (JSD) is an exciting and complex environment, offering a rewarding career in one of the most dynamic organisations within Defence Delivery Group (DDG). We are responsible for delivering both Acquisition and Sustainment of C4 Systems to Army and the Joint Force. We are committed to the personal and professional development of our staff, and welcome interested candidates to apply to join our team.

Our Ideal Candidate

Joint Systems Division (JSD) within CASG is a world-leading complex enterprise with a heavy dependence on information technology and its personnel.

The successful candidate will have a strong and in-depth understanding across all aspects of project management and the Defence Capability Life Cycle. They will have the ability to exercise judgement under pressure, demonstrate well-developed governance skills and sound application of business and commercial acumen.

The successful candidate will also exhibit:

• Extensive experience in all aspects of project management across the capability life cycle.
• Extensive experience spanning commercial acumen, strategic planning, complex stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• The ability to develop and maintain strong, trusted relationships with a diverse range of senior stakeholders, including the Australian Army and international and industry partners.
• Broad experience managing a budget and the multi-disciplinary workforce required to deliver prioritised outcomes.
• A proven ability to effectively lead a geographically dispersed team to achieve quality outcomes.
• Strategic thinking and an ability to grasp organisational strategies, long-term plans and how these influence the acquisition, delivery and sustainment of capability.
• Highly developed communication skills, initiative and drive with the ability to influence others both up and down the management chain to achieve tasks and business objectives.
• Sound professional judgement.

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