SPA9102 Program Director

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

Job summary

Department of Defence in Canberra seeks an experienced Program Director (EL2.1) to lead SPA9102, align with Defence priorities and drive delivery across complex, high-stakes programs. You will manage a team of Project Directors and Project Managers, providing authoritative advice to senior leadership and ensuring governance, risk management and compliance across the program.

The role emphasises strategic stakeholder engagement with Defence, Government, industry and international partners, and

Qualifications

• Experience leading large program teams and governance.
• Proven ability to manage complex, sensitive project portfolios.
• Strong stakeholder engagement across Defence and government.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication for briefs and submissions.
• Ability to balance competing priorities across services.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for SPA9102.
• Lead Project Directors and Managers; set priorities.
• Advise senior Defence leadership on complex program matters.
• Oversee governance, risk management and compliance.
• Drive delivery within schedule, cost, risk.
• Prepare executive briefs and ministerial submissions.
• Manage strategic risks, dependencies and stakeholder relations.
• Represent Defence at domestic and international forums.
• Foster continuous improvement and high performance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Executive briefing

Job description

As the Program Director (EL2.1) - SPA9102, you will be responsible for the following:

• Providing strategic leadership, governance and oversight of SPA9102 to ensure successful delivery of program outcomes aligned with Defence priorities.
• Leading and managing a team of Project Directors and Project Managers, setting priorities, managing performance, and fostering a high-performing and accountable workforce.
• Providing authoritative advice to senior Defence leadership on complex, sensitive and strategic program matters, supporting informed decision-making.
• Overseeing program governance, assurance, risk management and compliance activities to ensure adherence to Defence legislative, policy and regulatory requirements.
• Driving delivery of approved program scope within agreed schedule, cost, capability and risk parameters while balancing requirements from sustainment products within the SPO.
• Managing program reporting requirements, including executive briefs, ministerial correspondence, Cabinet submissions, PPRIP, MRM, POI reports, and other governance documentation.
• Identifying, assessing and managing strategic risks, issues and dependencies, while developing solutions to complex challenges in a dynamic environment.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders across Defence, Government, industry and international partners.
• Representing Defence at senior-level domestic and international forums, meetings and engagements.
• Promoting continuous improvement and organisational performance through effective leadership, workforce development and sound governance practices.

About our Team

Space Systems Branch acquires and sustains SATCOM systems, and is a trusted advisor of SATCOM systems for the Australian Defence Organisation. The team comprises professionals from various disciplines including project management, engineering, commercial, and logistics. This multi-disciplinary team is composed of highly skilled and motivated Australian Public Service, Australian Defence Force and contracted personnel. The team works from Brindabella Park offices in Canberra and maintains close collaboration with other parts of Defence and other Government Agencies.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a strategic and influential leader with a proven ability to deliver complex programs and achieve outcomes in a dynamic and stakeholder-rich environment. They will demonstrate sound judgement, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate complex issues while maintaining focus on organisational priorities.

You will possess:

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams through subordinate managers.
• Strong program or project management expertise, with the ability to deliver outcomes within scope, schedule, cost and risk parameters.
• Credibility with operational/technical specialists and strategic executives to influence the delivery of complex outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across Defence, Government, industry and international partners.
• The ability to provide clear, authoritative advice on complex and sensitive matters to senior leaders.
• Strong governance, risk management and decision-making capabilities.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of executive correspondence, briefs and submissions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret policy and develop practical solutions in ambiguous environments.
• Balance competing priorities between Army, Navy, Air Force, Joint Capabilities Group, CASG, DDG and external agencies.

The successful candidate will be outcomes-focused, resilient and adaptable, with a demonstrated ability to lead change, manage competing priorities and drive strategic outcomes that support Defence capability and organisational objectives.

Security Clearance

Prior to commencement, successful applicants will be required to undergo a psychological assessment and an extensive security clearance process. As a Positive Vetting clearance is required, applicants must be Australian Citizens; be able to account for their personal background for their whole life; and be able to demonstrate suitability to work in a high security intelligence environment.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

As the Program Director (EL2.1) - SPA9102, you will be responsible for the following:

• Providing strategic leadership, governance and oversight of SPA9102 to ensure successful delivery of program outcomes aligned with Defence priorities.
• Leading and managing a team of Project Directors and Project Managers, setting priorities, managing performance, and fostering a high-performing and accountable workforce.
• Providing authoritative advice to senior Defence leadership on complex, sensitive and strategic program matters, supporting informed decision-making.
• Overseeing program governance, assurance, risk management and compliance activities to ensure adherence to Defence legislative, policy and regulatory requirements.
• Driving delivery of approved program scope within agreed schedule, cost, capability and risk parameters while balancing requirements from sustainment products within the SPO.
• Managing program reporting requirements, including executive briefs, ministerial correspondence, Cabinet submissions, PPRIP, MRM, POI reports, and other governance documentation.
• Identifying, assessing and managing strategic risks, issues and dependencies, while developing solutions to complex challenges in a dynamic environment.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders across Defence, Government, industry and international partners.
• Representing Defence at senior-level domestic and international forums, meetings and engagements.
• Promoting continuous improvement and organisational performance through effective leadership, workforce development and sound governance practices.

About our Team

Space Systems Branch acquires and sustains SATCOM systems, and is a trusted advisor of SATCOM systems for the Australian Defence Organisation. The team comprises professionals from various disciplines including project management, engineering, commercial, and logistics. This multi-disciplinary team is composed of highly skilled and motivated Australian Public Service, Australian Defence Force and contracted personnel. The team works from Brindabella Park offices in Canberra and maintains close collaboration with other parts of Defence and other Government Agencies.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a strategic and influential leader with a proven ability to deliver complex programs and achieve outcomes in a dynamic and stakeholder-rich environment. They will demonstrate sound judgement, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate complex issues while maintaining focus on organisational priorities.

You will possess:

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams through subordinate managers.
• Strong program or project management expertise, with the ability to deliver outcomes within scope, schedule, cost and risk parameters.
• Credibility with operational/technical specialists and strategic executives to influence the delivery of complex outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across Defence, Government, industry and international partners.
• The ability to provide clear, authoritative advice on complex and sensitive matters to senior leaders.
• Strong governance, risk management and decision-making capabilities.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of executive correspondence, briefs and submissions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret policy and develop practical solutions in ambiguous environments.
• Balance competing priorities between Army, Navy, Air Force, Joint Capabilities Group, CASG, DDG and external agencies.

The successful candidate will be outcomes-focused, resilient and adaptable, with a demonstrated ability to lead change, manage competing priorities and drive strategic outcomes that support Defence capability and organisational objectives.

Eligibility

Security Clearance

Prior to commencement, successful applicants will be required to undergo a psychological assessment and an extensive security clearance process. As a Positive Vetting clearance is required, applicants must be Australian Citizens; be able to account for their personal background for their whole life; and be able to demonstrate suitability to work in a high security intelligence environment.

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