Senior Consultant, Security Cleared

Nous Group; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Nous Group is seeking Senior Consultants in Canberra to apply analytical and advisory skills on complex Defence, security and Australian Government issues. Candidates should hold NV2 clearance or higher and can work across the east coast, with permanent, fixed-term or casual opportunities.

The role focuses on solving problems, engaging stakeholders, and delivering practical recommendations that drive improvements for government clients and partners.

Qualifications

• NV2-level Australian Government security clearance or above.
• Experience in Defence, security or Australian Government sectors.
• Ability to turn evidence into clear, practical advice.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication.

Responsibilities

• Analyse complex information and distill insights for clients.
• Lead project domains or workstreams and deliver high-quality work.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to address complex problems.
• Prepare clear, structured recommendations and client deliverables.
• Support Project Directors and Project Managers to deliver outcomes.
• Apply government, Defence or security experience to broaden consulting capability.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

Problem solving

Job description

Work on complex projects of Australian importance

At Nous, we’re looking for Senior Consultants who hold a Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or above Australian Government security clearance and want to apply their skills and expertise to complex work across Defence, security and the Australian Government.

You might already be a consultant. You might work in the Australian Government, Defence, security or an organisation that supports these sectors. What matters most is your ability to solve problems, work effectively with stakeholders and turn evidence into clear, practical advice.

Our work spans all Australian Government agencies and defence-adjacent environments and can include workforce planning, digital transformation, policy, leadership strategy, digital engagement and other complex organisational challenges. You will tackle critical issues, work with high-performing teams, and play a key role in delivering solutions that drive real-world improvements.

We are particularly interested in people who currently hold an Australian Government NV2 security clearance, or above and work across the east coast of Australia. Opportunities may be permanent, fixed term or casual.

Nous is a great place to work…

Nous Group is an international management consultancy with over 650 people working with clients across Australasia, the United Kingdom, and North America. We are a values-based organisation that is inspired and determined to improve people’s lives in significant ways. Working in unique, cross-disciplinary teams we create innovative and enduring solutions that transform businesses, governments, and communities. We realise a bigger idea of success.

Nous Group is proud to be recognised as a Great Place to Work in Australia, Canada and the UK, reflecting our expanding global influence and success. Nous consistently garners accolades as an exceptional workplace through various competitive reviews. We've been acknowledged as one of LinkedIn’s Top Companies for career growth in Australia and have been awarded Best Management Consulting Firm by the Australian Financial Review on multiple occasions.

In this role you will

As a Senior Consultant, you will contribute to projects of Australian importance across Defence, security and the Australian Government, including by engaging clients and their stakeholders, undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis, and assisting in the development of deliverables across a range of formats that distil analysis into clear and compelling recommendations for clients.

You will use your existing experience while continuing to broaden and deepen your consulting capability.

You will:

• analyse qualitative and quantitative information and turn it into useful insights
• take ownership of specific project domains or workstreams and take responsibility for delivering high-quality work
• engage with clients and stakeholders to understand complex problems and develop practical responses
• prepare clear, structured and compelling recommendations, presentations and other client deliverables
• contribute to project coordination activities and support Project Directors and Project Managers to deliver high-quality work
• apply your existing government, Defence, security or other relevant experience while building broader consulting capability.

Your work may extend beyond Defence and security. Nous works across a broad range of public, private and community-sector challenges, providing opportunities to broaden your experience over time.

You are:

• Passionate and driven about doing work that matters and creates positive influence, in an environment that values diversity and creativity.
• Committed and motivated to delivering high-quality work and outcomes for clients and colleagues, underpinned by a consistent commitment to professionalism.
• Engaging and collaborative with the ability to bring energy and enthusiasm for working with clients and colleagues across all your work.
• Capable of working autonomously and balancing competing priorities and pressures on your time.
• Intellectually flexible and innovative with the ability to develop intellectual property through projects, teams and practice groups to enhance our existing methods and frameworks.
• Resilient with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, uncertain and intense working environments.
• Enthusiastic and curious about working across a wide range of service lines and sectors and continually learning new subject matters and skills on the job.

And the practical experience:

• A current Australian Government security clearance at NV2 level or above
• Prior work experience in a professional environment, related to our sectors and capability areas. Look under work at nousgroup.com to learn more
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data
• The ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing and conversation
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and colleagues in complex or uncertain environments

Experience in Defence or security is valuable, but not a requirement. We are also interested in experience across areas such as workforce planning, organisational transformation, people and culture, policy, strategy or program delivery. We do not expect you to have experience across all these areas.

Finally, some important details...

Nous is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Nous is a flexible workplace that offers consulting opportunities on a full-time and part-time basis.

If you have experience working on complex problems, are high performing and productive working in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of a dynamic team that puts people at the centre of everything, then we'd love to hear from you!

Please note if you are successful in the recruitment process, you will be required to undertake background screening prior to your commencement at Nous.