The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

The duties of an EL 1 Assistant Director Capability Analysis in the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) Portfolio Management and Planning Branch may but are not limited to include the following:

• Accountable for leading a team, managing allocated resources, setting work area priorities, managing workflows, developing strategies and evaluating business
• Accountable for accurate completion of work within timeframes, sharing own expertise with others and guiding and mentoring team members to achieve continuous improvement in the work area.
• Evaluate, independently analyse and provide advice on capability proposals, including assessments of the strategic context, capability options, resource implications, risks and acquisition strategies.
• Accountable for and have oversight of the ASA strategic center reviews of NPS investment proposals.
• Lead and be accountable for the development of timely and high quality briefing products to support decision-making in capability and program management committees.
• Implement broader ASA and Defence policy and strategic objectives, including the National Defence Strategy, the Optimal Pathway and the Integrated Investment Program to progress capability development outcomes.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and negotiate effectively to deliver business outcomes.
• Motivate and mentor teams; aligning complementary skills and allocating resources in a manner that delivers results.
• Design, recommend and implement solutions to issues impacting on the achievement of desired outcomes.
• Represent, advocate and negotiate on behalf of the ASA to achieve and provide ongoing assurance of capability
• Contribute to the Program Office program management function and professionalisation framework for project management.

The duties of an EL 1 Assistant Director Program Assurance in the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) Portfolio Management and Planning Branch may but are not limited to include the following:

• Accountable for leading the Investment Planning & Cost Integration team, managing allocated resources, setting work area priorities, managing workflows, developing strategies and evaluating business outcomes.
• Accountable for accurate completion of work within timeframes, sharing own expertise with others and guiding and mentoring team members to achieve continuous improvement in the work area.
• Coordinating and managing investment planning and analysis through: designing and coordinating a rolling wave planning strategy, developing the annual ASA NPS Program Delivery Plan, maintaining the NPS Program Funding Provisions and Program Affordability view, developing Program maturity analysis.
• Has expertise in, implements and assists in the improvement of capability development processes, including processes for government approvals.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders (such as broader Defence and Central Agencies) and negotiate effectively to deliver business outcomes.
• Motivates and mentors teams; aligning complementary skills and allocating resources in a manner that delivers results.
• Evaluate, independently analyse and provide advice on Government submissions, plans and capability proposals from a capability investment and cost perspective.
• Design, recommend and implement solutions to issues impacting on the achievement of desired outcomes.
• Represent, advocate and negotiate on behalf of the organisation to achieve capability outcomes

The duties of an EL 1 Assistant Director Portfolio Planning & Provisioning in the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) Portfolio Management and Planning Branch may but are not limited to include the following:

• Accountable for leading the Investment Planning & Cost Integration team, managing allocated resources, setting work area priorities, managing workflows, developing strategies and evaluating business outcomes.
• Accountable for accurate completion of work within timeframes, sharing own expertise with others and guiding and mentoring team members to achieve continuous improvement in the work area.
• Coordinating and managing investment planning and analysis through: designing and coordinating a rolling wave planning strategy, developing the annual ASA NPS Program Delivery Plan, maintaining the NPS Program Funding Provisions and Program Affordability view, developing Program maturity analysis.
• Has expertise in, implements and assists in the improvement of capability development processes, including processes for government approvals.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders (such as broader Defence and Central Agencies) and negotiate effectively to deliver business outcomes.
• Motivates and mentors teams; aligning complementary skills and allocating resources in a manner that delivers results.
• Evaluate, independently analyse and provide advice on Government submissions, plans and capability proposals from a capability investment and cost perspective.
• Design, recommend and implement solutions to issues impacting on the achievement of desired outcomes.
• Represent, advocate and negotiate on behalf of the organisation to achieve capability outcomes.

The duties of an EL1 Assistant Director Trilateral and Portfolio Integration in the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) Portfolio Management and Planning Branch may but are not limited to include the following:

• Accountable for managing the Trilateral & Portfolio Integration function, managing allocated resources, setting work area priorities, managing workflows, developing strategies and evaluating business outcomes.
• Evaluate, independently analyse and provide advice on Government and trilateral capability proposals, including assessments of the strategic context, capability options, resource implications, risks and acquisition strategies.
• Accountable for accurate completion of work within timeframes including trilateral metrics analysis and engagement, sharing own expertise with others and guiding and mentoring team members to achieve continuous improvement in the work area.
• Lead and be accountable for the development of timely and high quality supporting documentation for capability committees including the PDLC, ASEG, APR and PMIC meetings.
• Manage Trilateral Capability Analysis activities as part of Program Management and Planning Branch capability analysis function.
• Provide support to the National Program on the development of timely and high quality ministerial and cabinet submissions relating to capability development within Defence.
• Has expertise in, implements and assists in the improvement of capability analysis processes including government approvals.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders (such as broader Defence and with trilateral partners) and negotiate effectively to deliver business outcomes.
• Motivate and mentor teams; aligning complementary skills and allocating resources in a manner that delivers results.
• Design, recommend and implement solutions to issues impacting on the achievement of desired outcomes.
• Coordinate secretariat services and support for trilateral capability forums.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in ASA as a Building Capability Payment (BCP). This enables ASA to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the ASA Enterprise Agreement, for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to ASA capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

The Portfolio Management and Planning Branch (PMPB) is responsible for the establishment and implementation of best-practice portfolio, program and capability analysis, and delivering decision support to the ASA executive to support the planning, management and delivery of Nuclear-Powered Submarines for Australia.PMPB sits central to the ASA’s key decision making fora, supporting senior executives with an aggregated, balanced and integrated view of the key initiatives in support of delivering the Optimal Pathway – from planning through to delivery.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

Our ideal candidates will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

• A strong commitment to Australia’s national interest,
• Adaptability, resilience and flexibility in the face of changing and competing priorities,
• Strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration,
• Outstanding time management and organisational skills, while remaining resilient and adaptable to changing plans and priorities,
• Strong analytical and research skills and an ability to interpret and apply legislation in defining business requirements,
• Experience in project management and an understanding of project management processes and methodologies,
• Sound judgement with an innovative approach to problem-solving,
• Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills, and the
• Ability to develop, maintain and strengthen strategic relationships, engage and liaise across a broad range of stakeholders including government representatives, officials, other diplomatic missions, academics and industry/private sector representatives to support the work of the Australian Submarine Agency.

Application Closing Date: Thursday 5 June 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/04375/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=D2B4E536-CAEC-2B76-8968-E3D886D52204