The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavor 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 EL 1 Project Management roles are highly varied and contribute to leading and developing high performing teams to deliver a range of objectives for the Australian Submarine Agency.

As an EL 1 Project Manager you will exercise a considerable degree of independence and perform a leadership role, and will exercise sound decision making and judgement to provide expert policy advice. You will have in-depth knowledge of the Project Management function and will be responsible for the development, implementation, compliance and review of policies and procedures relevant to your work within that function. You will engage in complex to very complex problem solving and issues management and may coordinate and perform detailed or sensitive projects that impact on strategic, political or operational outcomes for the Australian Submarine Agency.

You will need to have the right skill set to be able to develop, liaise and maintain relationships with Defence stakeholders, Industry Partners, other Government Agencies and our international counterparts to ensure ASA’s programs support strategic objectives and are fit for purpose.

You will be responsible for actively managing key stakeholder relationships and will be required to identify relevant stakeholders’ expectations and concerns to develop and communicate methodologies and practices to achieve outcomes. You will be accountable to contribute towards ongoing self-improvement and professional development of their work area.

This position has people management responsibility and as such you will be required to exercise your people management skills and knowledge to lead a high performing and cohesive team.

Your support as an EL 1 Project Manager will actively contribute to the whole of nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear powered submarine program, which will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for the future.

Duties of an EL 1 Project Manager within ASA include the following:

The duties of an EL 1 Project Manager occupation in Defence include the following (note: not all duties are required to be performed during a 12 month performance cycle):

• Provide leadership and management of a multi-disciplined project team and coordinate project activities including support to strategic planning, governance functions and human resource management.
• Accountable for managing and leading a team, including providing clear and consistent communication, setting clear performance and behavioural standards, managing performance, delegating responsibility and guiding and developing people.
• Responsible for the management of schedule, risk, budget and resources, preparation of briefings, submissions, reports and returns relating to the project progress and issues in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Apply established technical, operational, professional and administrative activities, procedures, practices and project management methodologies.
• Identify risks and opportunities and take account of these in planning, decision making and priority setting.
• Build and sustain stakeholder engagement, including the ability to communicate with influence and negotiate effectively.
• Influence and motivate team members and actively lead group activities.
• Analyse and interpret project performance against agreed plans and develop and evaluate strategies to achieve project outcomes.
• Takes the initiative to resolve issues by identifying and developing ideas through analysis of alternative courses of action and their implications.
• Accountable to manage a range of project activities and coordinate project inputs in accordance with organisational practices, methods and standards appropriate to the complexity of the project.
• Prepare correspondence, briefs and reports as required including submissions and documents for higher delegate and committee consideration.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks.

Some positions may incur an additional payment of a Building Capability Payment (BCP) which enables ASA to provide a premium, in addition to the rate of salary otherwise payable under the Enterprise Agreement (EA) to some or all of the jobs within a critical occupation(s) or discipline within a workplace. Applicants engaged into a BCP position must consider the following. BCPs provide remuneration in addition to the ASA Enterprise Agreement (EA).

This arrangement is subject to meeting eligibility criteria and is subject to annual review. Should your performance fall beyond requirements or the eligibility criteria not be met, your eligibility for the BCP may be reviewed and ceased. It may also be ceased should you change positions or the requirement for the BCP is no longer necessary, as determined by ASA. Should the BCP be ceased you will be advised and your BCP additional payment will cease.

About our Team

Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.

Within the Project Management function an EL1 Project Manager is accountable under broad direction to perform and achieve complex to very complex project management work within an integrated workforce.

They will be responsible for leading and managing a range of project activities, including coordination of project inputs in accordance with organisational practices to achieve outcomes. They will require an in-depth knowledge of and compliance with legislative frameworks, government decision-making and ASA’s mission and policy requirements. We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities

Our Ideal Candidate

We are an evolving dynamic organisation seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced impacted 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 candidate will demonstrate effective leadership and people skills as well as superior written and verbal communication. We are seeking candidates with sound judgement with an open and innovative approach to problem solving. Candidates must be able to demonstrate stakeholder relationship skills as this is fundamental to the success of the Agency.

Our ideal candidates will be able to bring or further develop the following attributes and skills to the role:

• The ability to lead and develop a high performing team
• 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 is essential
• Sound judgement with an innovative approach to problem-solving
• Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• 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: Sunday 29 June 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/04997/25 on

https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=B81EF105-D36D-F7A3-9221-E3EDF07E3CB9