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 EL 2 Project Director roles are highly varied and contribute to leading and developing high performing teams to deliver a range of objectives for the Australian Submarine Agency.

Within the Project Management function an EL2 Project Director works with considerable independence and is accountable to perform and achieve very complex project management work within an integrated workforce. They will require extensive knowledge of and compliance with legislative frameworks, government decision-making and Defence’s mission and policies requirements.

An EL 2 Project Director will exercise a significant degree of independence and perform an important leadership role. They will be responsible for influencing and developing strategies, policies, priorities and operational practices in support of Defence objectives based on high level decision making and judgement. They will provide strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders as well as leading and assuming accountability for very complex work or sensitive projects or work programs that have strategic, political or operational significance.

An EL 2 Project Director is accountable to lead a work team or teams, plan and manage a range of human and physical resources and exercise the associated people and financial responsibilities. They will provide strategic direction to the work unit, including developing business plans, strategies and priorities and monitor work flow and performance. They are accountable for developing, coaching and reviewing individual, team and business performance, and will identify opportunities for building team capability and continuous improvement. They will set work aligned with strategic objectives and communicate expected outcomes.

An EL 2 Project Director will have extensive knowledge relating to the methodology, systems and procedures within the Project Management function and have the ability to translate this into strategy. They will provide a strategic level of specialist, professional and technical expertise, potentially relating to the work of different function areas. They will initiate, establish and maintain strong relationships with a network of stakeholders internally and externally and will have the ability to recognise shared agendas and work toward mutually beneficial outcomes.

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.

The duties of an EL 2 Project Director occupation in Defence include the following (note: not all duties are required to be performed during a 12 month performance cycle):

• Manage and lead a program for the delivery of a broad range of very complex project activities.
• 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.
• Accountable for the interpretation of Government and Defence policies, concepts and strategies applicable to the development of projects and project documentation across the project life cycle.
• Advise and support senior management and project managers on a broad range of very complex and diverse issues associated with the management and delivery of programs.
• Translate strategy into operational goals and appropriate tasks for others, creating a shared sense of purpose within the business unit.
• Represent Defence at external forums and liaise on behalf of Defence on significant, very complex or technical project management issues with external practitioners, industry representatives and government agencies.
• Build and sustain collaborative working relationships and networks with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Interpret and adapt guidelines to specific situations arising in the execution of work plans and devise solutions to very complex policy or operation problems where guidelines are lacking.
• Assess and analyse very complex project issues, applying expertise to identify and recommend courses of action.
• Deliver endorsed capabilities that are on time, to cost and to the required levels of quality, providing oversight on trends and advising management of risks and issues associated with desired project outcomes.
• Develop project managers to maintain and improve project performance and commit to the continuous improvement of quality management systems.
• Motivate and mentor teams, aligning complementary skills and allocate resources in a manner that delivers results.

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 EL2 Project Director 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 13 July 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/05401/25 on

https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=B4A6882D-23EA-B718-0A46-E3F0FB11ED44