The Role

Are you an experienced leader who thrives in high-responsibility environments? Are you ready to take on a leadership role where no two days are the same? Where your work directly supports critical operations, enables capability, and helps shape the future of Defence?

We’re looking for confident and capable leaders to join our high-performing teams as Base Managers and Assistant Directors Estate Management & Planning. As a leader in this space, you will play a critical role in ensuring the base functions effectively on a daily basis, enabling Defence personnel to train, live, and work in a safe, well-supported environment. You will be responsible to lead teams, manage complex issues, and deliver outcomes that directly enable Defence capability.

These roles sit at the intersection of strategic planning, estate optimisation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. These are hands-on leadership roles where you will work closely with Defence members, contractors and other government partners to make sure everything from maintenance to security is properly managed.

It’s fast-paced, people-focused work with a strong sense of purpose and community impact.

Base Managers

You will take ownership of base operations, services, and support activities. You will play a critical leadership role in aligning the base’s functions with broader Defence priorities, supporting senior Defence leaders, and contributing to government readiness. This operational role and service delivery environment requires a strong leader who is a sharp thinker and can lead on the ground. You will manage the staff, facilities, and services that support Defence personnel and operations. You will be responsible for ensuring the base remains a safe, secure, and highly functional environment for ADF, Defence staff and contractors. You will provide high-level advice and reporting to senior officials and, when required, support engagement with Defence leaders, government departments, and ministers.

Assistant Directors Estate Management & Planning

You will play a pivotal role in leading the development, coordination, and delivery of estate management and infrastructure planning and delivery across a Defence base or region. You will work closely with a number of estate stakeholders to deliver outcomes that align with operational requirements, policy, and future priorities. You will lead a team of professionals and coordinate with technical experts to deliver high-quality advice, investment proposals, and estate solutions that support national objectives. You will provide high-level advice and reporting to senior officials and, when required, support engagement with Defence leaders, government departments, and ministers.

About our Team

Northern and Central Zone is a branch of Service Delivery Division within the Security and Estate Group. Service Delivery Division is at the forefront of enhancing Defence capabilities and personnel readiness through innovative service delivery and support mechanisms. Our work directly contributes to the operational excellence and welfare of Australia's Defence force, offering unparalleled opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Northern and Central Zone is a critical business enabler of Defence capabilities, prioritising base resources and ensuring service delivery standards across the Defence Estate.

Northern and Central Zone is instrumental in facilitating critical Defence exercises and operations, focused on optimising support for the ADF. Northern and Central Zone manages the most significant and largest training areas and ranges in Australia, enabling substantial multinational and bilateral exercises such as Pitch Black and Talisman Sabre. We provide essential, on-the-ground services and support to Defence personnel at locations throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region in Western Australia.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are after someone who’s not just organised and reliable—but a strong leader who can bring people together and solve problems in a fast-paced environment.

These roles suit someone with strong leadership skills, practical experience in complex operational environments, and a commitment to excellence and service. You are calm under pressure, skilled at managing people and resources, and driven to achieve high standards in everything you do.

You should be able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, managing both short-term issues and long-term planning. You are comfortable working in a structured, security-conscious environment and understand the importance of supporting Defence operations with professionalism and integrity.

The skills that we seek in you:

• Exceptional leadership and team management capability, including the ability to drive positive outcomes in an operational and service delivery environment.
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal), planning, and reporting skills, including preparation of briefs and high-level correspondence.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, including experience supporting senior leaders, government departments, or ministers and the ability to build trusted relationships with customers, contractors, service providers and community partners.
• High level problem solving and decision making skills with a collaborative and strategic mindset to align local activities to broader Defence priorities.
• Confidently manage competing priorities while maintaining a focus on safety, security, and operational continuity.
• Understand the importance of customer service and delivering high-quality support to customers.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, able to prioritise in dynamic environments.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable working in fast-paced and complex operational environments.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with sound judgement and attention to risk and compliance.

In turn, we will provide you with the following:

• Performance-related salary progression.
• Up to 15% superannuation.
• Standard hours of 37.5 hours per week.
• Negotiated flexible work arrangements.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Annual leave of 20 days per year.
• Personal/Carers leave of 15 days per year.
• An additional day of leave per calendar year in addition to regular leave.
• Christmas stand down (a paid break during the Christmas and New Year period in addition to standard leave).
• A range of Parental and Reservist leave.
• Several health, well-being, diversity and inclusion networks.
• Defence Employee Assistance Program provided by Converge International.

We are looking for enthusiastic leaders to join our team immediately. These roles are ideal for energetic and motivated people and operational leaders who are focused on ongoing self-improvement and professional development. A Merit Pool of suitable candidates will also be created for future placement.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 20 July 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference SEG/04830/25 on www.defence.gov.au/apscareers.