Tasmanian Defence Industry Advocate

Department of State Growth; City of Hobart; Hybrid; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A government department in Tasmania is seeking a Tasmanian Defence Industry Advocate to promote local businesses within the defence market. The successful candidate will facilitate connections and assist entities in understanding defence requirements. Strong industry knowledge and influence at senior levels are crucial. This fixed term part-time role is primarily based in Hobart but flexible with locations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of strategy, policy, and workforce in defence, space, and national security sectors.
• Capability to assist businesses to identify strategic market opportunities.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders for strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for Tasmania’s businesses in defence.
• Assist Tasmanian entities in accessing new opportunities.
• Represent Tasmania’s interests to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Industry knowledge

Market opportunity identification

Representation and influence

Leadership and networks

Management of conflict of interest

Job description

The Tasmanian Defence Industry Advocate will facilitate connection and growth opportunities for Tasmanian entities by identifying, aligning, promoting, and championing those industry stakeholders pursuing defence and national security markets. The role will also assist Tasmanian businesses and other entities to understand the requirements of the defence sector.

The Tasmanian Defence Industry Advocate role does not require any specific qualifications. In selecting suitable candidates, a range of experience across defence, business, innovation, research, and governance will be highly regarded.

Employment status: fixed term, flexible (part time preferred)

Location: preferably based in Hobart but other locations will be considered

Scope of work

• Tasmanian based businesses and other entities including peak bodies and education and research organisations.
• Australian Government including the Department of Defence
• The national defence industry, including major defence primes supporting Australia’s Defence Force
• International defence forces and the international defence industries.

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Advocate for Tasmania’s businesses and entities and assist industry to connect with Defence and understand Defence’s requirements, including its procurement processes.
2. Assist Tasmanian businesses and other entities to identify and access new opportunities, markets and build strategic relationships with defence and national security related markets. This will include, with the support from Defence Tasmania personnel, participation in the planning for, and execution of international Trade Missions and domestic defence industry expositions.

Representational and strategic activities

1. Represent Tasmania’s interests and influence senior stakeholders to achieve the state’s strategic priorities in defence industries.
2. Support the Department in the development and/or implementation of Tasmanian defence industry strategies.
3. Identify new defence and national security capability programs for pursuit by Tasmanian industry.
4. Develop and maintain Defence and industry networks, knowledge and relationships to enhance collaboration and achieve greater participation in defence projects.

Other duties

1. The Department of State Growth, in addition to the above services, may require the delivery of additional tasks and services on an ad-hoc and mutually agreed basis.

Selection criteria (knowledge and skills)

• Industry knowledge – Demonstrated understanding of strategy, policy, systems and workforce across the defence, space, and national security sectors, supported by a detailed curriculum vitae.
• Market opportunity identification – Demonstrated capability to assist businesses and entities to identify strategic market opportunities in the defence, space, and national security sectors.
• Representation and influence – Demonstrated ability to represent Tasmania’s industry and development interests at the equivalent level of a senior executive with the ability to influence others to achieve strategic priorities.
• Leadership and networks – Significant high-level leadership experience and proven credibility across relevant private and public sector interests and the ability to develop trusted relationships and generate new opportunities through established networks.
• Management of conflict of interest – Proactive awareness and management of potential conflicts of interest (actual or perceived).

How to Apply

Applications are to be submitted via Seek.

Applications close Friday 5 December 2025 at 5pm.

To submit an expression of interest please complete the following:

• A one-to-two-page document outlining your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the Major Duties and Selection Criteria.
• A copy of your current Resumé/Curriculum Vitae and the names of two referees.

Contact

Ms Katherine Booth – Acting Executive Director – Business, Industry and Resources