Project Manager

Geoscience Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Geoscience Australia seeks a Project Manager to lead complex data and digital transformation initiatives. You will drive delivery across multidisciplinary teams, focusing on cloud-native, secure solutions aligned with enterprise architectures.

The role requires at least three years of leadership in enterprise projects, with strong stakeholder engagement and experience in agile delivery. A strategic, collaborative workplace with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years’ experience leading the delivery of complex digital, data or ICT transformation projects within an enterprise environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of cloud-native architectures and technologies (AWS, Azure or comparable platforms).
• Formal qualification or certification in project management or agile delivery (e.g. PRINCE2Agile or PMI) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex data and digital transformation projects using tailored project and agile methodologies.
• Coordinate integration of data, cloud and digital capability to ensure cloud-native, secure solutions.
• Define and communicate realistic project plans with resource, funding and delivery timelines.
• Promote data governance, accessibility and interoperability within project design and delivery.
• Drive adoption of cloud-native services, automation and modern delivery practices.

Skills

Complex project leadership

Cloud-native architectures

Stakeholder engagement

Multidisciplinary teams

Agile delivery

PRINCE2Agile/ PMI awareness

Tools

AWS

Azure

Job description

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. Click here to find out more.

Our team

The Transformation Office is part of the Chief Information and Transformation Officer (CITO) Branch and is responsible for planning, coordinating, delivering, monitoring and reporting a program of transformation initiatives for Geoscience Australia. In particular, the Transformation Office ensures that transformation projects are effectively defined and sequenced, risks, issues and dependencies are managed, change and communication activities are effective and that benefits are defined and measured.

The CITO Branch is responsible for driving the organisation’s digital, data, and business transformation agenda. The branch provides strategic leadership and governance for information and communication technology (ICT), data management, security, and enterprise architecture, ensuring systems and platforms are secure, reliable, and aligned with organisational priorities.

The CITO Branch leads the design and delivery of innovative, user‑centric digital services while enabling continuous improvement across business processes. It works in partnership with business areas to modernise capabilities, leverage data for decision‑making, and embed scalable, future‑ready solutions. The branch also fosters a culture of agility, collaboration, and innovation to support sustainable transformation and improved outcomes for stakeholders.

The role

The Project Manager reports to the Program Manager within the Transformation Office. This role is responsible for leading the delivery of complex, enterprise‑scale data and digital projects, ensuring that solutions are cloud native, secure, and aligned with Geoscience Australia’s strategic and enterprise architecture frameworks. The role provides delivery leadership for multidisciplinary teams and partners closely with ICT, data and business areas to ensure projects achieve measurable organisational, user, and stakeholder benefits.

This is a leadership position that combines technical project delivery expertise with the ability to influence others, foster innovation, and drive continuous improvement in project delivery practices across Geoscience Australia.

The key duties of the position include:

In this role you will:

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex data and digital transformation projects, applying project and agile methodologies tailored to Geoscience Australia’s environment.
• Support the integration of data, cloud, and digital capability in project delivery, ensuring that technical solutions are cloud native, sustainable, and compliant with enterprise architecture standards.
• Ensure that projects are clearly defined and are aligned with program vision and benefits through the development and communication of realistic project plans, including estimates for resourcing, funding and delivery timeframes
• Partner with enterprise data and engineering teams to embed data governance, digital accessibility, and interoperability principles within project design and delivery.
• Actively promote adoption of cloud‑native services, automation, and modern delivery practices to improve project efficiency and resilience.
• Work with the delivery team(s) to manage the delivery of work, including coordinating effort, monitoring project schedule, budget and resourcing, managing risks, issues and dependencies (and escalating to the Program Manager as appropriate)
• Contribute to integrated program planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, including defining measures of project benefits and supporting program‑level reporting.
• Support the development and implementation of program planning instruments such as risk, communications, change management, quality and benefits plans.
• Close projects effectively and support a smooth transition to Business As Usual (BAU)
• Contribute to continuous improvement in program and project management and delivery practices
• Contribute to change and communications activities as part of the program
• Contribute to the development of a high‑performing and innovative team culture
• Lead, mentor and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, supporting capability development and continuous improvement across delivery practices.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Be outcomes focussed, enjoy leading change and implementing new ideas, work collaboratively with colleagues, build great culture, continuously learn and be part of a fun work environment.
• Be committed to continuous learning, maintain awareness of project management best practices, and demonstrate a growth mindset.
• Apply your specialist expertise and experience in delivering projects using best practice methodologies tailored to the organisation and proactively share your expertise with colleagues.
• Be flexible in working with different areas of the organisation and contributing broadly to the success of the Program.
• Demonstrate excellent judgement, initiative and interpersonal skills including the ability to build productive professional networks, make sound decisions, elevate appropriate, work collaboratively to deliver outcomes, and to influence outcomes and drive delivery success.
• Demonstrate a proven ability to lead delivery of complex, cloud‑native digital or data projects within an enterprise environment.
• Be a champion for innovation, digital delivery, and data‑driven decision‑making within Geoscience Australia.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Minimum three years’ experience leading the delivery of complex, digital, data or ICT transformation projects within an enterprise environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of cloud‑native architectures and technologies (for example, AWS, Azure or comparable platforms) and the ability to apply them to achieve scalable and secure solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and work collaboratively across technical and business areas.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement, communication, and influence, including the ability to translate technical information into clear, actionable insights.
• Formal qualification or certification in project management or agile delivery (for example, PRINCE2Agile or PMI) is highly desirable.

Are you unsure about applying?

Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human‑led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role.

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre‑employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Notes

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment team on (02) 6249 9*** or email ***********@ga.gov.au

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.

Getting to know the Geoscience Australia

Geoscience Australia is an Australian Government listed entity within the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio. Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre‑eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation’s trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national‑scale Earth observation infrastructure and our strong partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged. We are committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offer a flexible and diverse workplace.