Strategic Asset Manager

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA in Melbourne, VIC, seeks an experienced Strategic Asset Manager to lead the planning, governance and optimisation of a large operational asset portfolio across firefighting fleets, equipment, buildings and communications infrastructure. The role focuses on a strategic framework, lifecycle management and value-for-money service outcomes.

The successful candidate will bring a proven asset management background in emergency services or similar environments, with

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic asset management and lifecycle planning.
• Experience in governance, risk-based decision making and investment prioritisation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of the strategic asset management framework.
• Oversee asset portfolio governance, investment prioritisation and performance reporting.
• Collaborate with operational branches to improve asset performance and lifecycle outcomes.
• Provide strategic advice on asset investment priorities and long-term portfolio planning.

Skills

Strategic asset management

Asset lifecycle planning

Governance frameworks

Stakeholder management

Education

Asset Management qualification

Engineering/Infrastructure degree

CAMA2 certification

Job description

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA – Melbourne VIC

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Strategic Asset Manager to provide leadership and direction for the planning, governance and optimisation of one of Victoria's largest and most diverse operational asset portfolios.

Reporting to the Executive Director through the Office of the Executive Director, this newly established role will lead the development and implementation of FFMVic's strategic asset management framework, ensuring assets are planned, managed and invested in to maximise operational capability, value for money and service outcomes. The role will work across firefighting fleets, heavy plant, operational equipment, buildings, communications infrastructure and other critical assets that support emergency preparedness and response and land management services across the state.We are looking for a proven asset management professional with a strong background in operational or on-ground asset management, combined a track record in strategic asset management with the ability to think strategically and influence at both senior and operational levels.

The successful applicant will bring expertise in strategic asset planning, lifecycle management, asset investment prioritisation, governance frameworks and stakeholder engagement. Experience working with complex asset portfolios in emergency services, land management, infrastructure, utilities, defence or similar operational environments will be highly regarded.

What you'll bring

• Extensive experience in asset management, asset strategy or infrastructure planning.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic asset management frameworks and plans.
• Strong understanding of asset lifecycle management, risk-based decision-making and long-term asset investment planning.
• Track record of having managed asset reliability, inventory and spares, and contracted asset services
• Experience leading organisational change and influencing senior executives and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of asset management methodologies, governance frameworks and industry best practice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• What you'll do
  Collaborate with operational Branches to improve asset performance and cost-effectiveness
• Lead the development of FFAR's Strategic Asset Management Plan and asset management maturity uplift.
• Provide strategic advice on asset investment priorities and long-term portfolio planning.
• Strengthen asset governance, assurance and reporting across FFAR.
• Drive alignment with government policy, AMAF requirements and organisational objectives.
• Partner with operational and corporate areas to improve asset performance, utilisation and lifecycle outcomes.
• Build a contemporary, evidence-based approach to managing FFAR's critical assets.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future direction of asset management within a major emergency and land management organisation and deliver lasting outcomes that support community safety and resilience across Victoria.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Demonstrated subject matter expertise and hands‑on experience in the following areas: strategic asset management, asset lifecycle planning and investment modelling, asset engineering and governance, reliability management, maintenance management, supply chain and spares strategy, information management, and project management within a large and complex organisation.
• A tertiary qualification in Asset Management, Engineering, Infrastructure or a related discipline. Professional qualifications in asset management such as Certified Asset Management Assessor (CAMA2) will be highly regarded.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

Applications close 11.59pm on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

• We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.