The Role

Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group (GWEO) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director to lead our guided weapons Maintenance Operations at Orchard Hills, NSW. As an EL2 Director, you will be leading teams of technicians who test, repair and maintain complex guided weapons and explosive ordnance products used by the Australian Defence Force.

The Director GWEO Maintenance Operations-East (EOMD-E) is a critical executive-level role to lead and manage GWEO maintenance operations in a security and safety regulated environment. Working within this environment, you will bring strategic level of technical expertise to drive performance to support Defence operations, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, safety and efficiency.

The Director GWEO Maintenance Operations-East is responsible for leading and managing GWEO maintenance operations at east coast locations, including Defence Establishment Orchard Hills, NSW and RAAF Amberley, QLD.

The Director Maintenance Operations - East will exercise a significant degree of independence and perform an important senior leadership role. You 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. You will provide strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders as well as leading and assuming accountability for very complex guided weapons maintenance work that has operational significance.

You will be accountable to lead work teams, plan and manage a range of human and physical resources and exercise the associated people and financial responsibilities. You will provide strategic direction to the work unit, including developing business plans, strategies and priorities and monitor work flow and performance, and driving continuous improvement. You will set work aligned with strategic objectives and communicate expected outcomes.

You will have extensive knowledge relating to the methodology, systems and procedures for maintenance and/or production operations within a highly regulated environment, and have the ability to translate this into strategy. You will provide a strategic level of specialist, professional and technical expertise, potentially relating to the work across different function areas. You 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.

You will lead and manage a team of highly skilled maintenance technicians and operations, and be responsible for:

• The maintenance of assigned fleets of guided weapons to meet the needs of the Australian Defence Force.
• Leading work across multiple teams and geographic locations
• Exercising people management skills to lead high performing and cohesive teams;
• Operation and upkeep of specialist maintenance facilities and test equipment;

About our Team

The Explosive Ordnance Maintenance Directorate (EOMD) is a business unit within the Department of Defence Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Group. GWEO Group has personnel and facilities in Canberra, Sydney, Amberley, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

EOMD is a mixed workforce of civilian Australian Public Servant (APS), uniformed Australian Defence Force, and civilian contractor staff, located in NSW, QLD and WA. This position leads teams based at Orchard Hills, NSW and RAAF Amberley, QLD who maintain guided weapons for the Navy, Army and Air Force.

GWEO Group is dedicated to providing our staff with a safe and rewarding working environment with good work-life balance options including flexible working arrangements. We will also invest in your training and development to ensure your time with us is stimulating both personally and professionally. We are committed to achieving a workplace culture that is inclusive and diverse; one, which directly reflects the needs, and scope of Defence’s varied operational requirements. GWEO Group comprises hundreds of dedicated APS employees ADF personnel performing requirements determination; contract management; procurement; international logistics; domestic manufacturing; item management, weapons maintenance, and the co-ordination of disposal activities.

GWEO collaborates with domestic and international industry partners to deliver materiel capability to Defence, managing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of complex, high-profile acquisitions and sustainment activities to support the ADF. Our people are capable, innovative, committed and diverse.

We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration. As an APS employee in GWEO, you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that you simply would not gain with any other organisation.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will have significant experience in leading production and/or maintenance operations within a highly-regulated safety environment, who is looking to apply their skills and experience to a role that directly supports the Australian Defence Force. You are a results-driven leader with excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams, build relationships with stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.

You will have at least 5 years of experience leading maintenance and/or production work, within a safety and security regulated environment. Qualifications and/or relevant experience in maintenance and/or production workflow optimisation would be highly regarded.

The work you will be leading will require you to hold, or be able to obtain, an NV2 security clearance.

The duties of the successful candidate will include the following:

• Accountable for managing and leading teams, including providing clear and consistent communication, setting clear performance and behavioural standards, managing performance, delegating responsibility and guiding and developing people.
• Accountable for planning and managing allocated resources, setting work area priorities, workflows, developing strategies and evaluating business outcomes.
• Drive the delivery of very complex maintenance activities, to meet safety, quality and performance targets.
• Draw upon knowledge and expertise of maintenance operations to effectively manage production risks and maximise throughput, safety and quality.
• Engage and influence Defence senior leadership and provide the key link between senior executives and Defence employees.
• Work collaboratively, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and influence the work of teams to ensure successful delivery of maintenance outputs.
• Ensure maintenance operations adhere to safety, security and quality requirements, in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, standards and policies.

Application Closing Date: Monday 25 August 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference GWEO/06350/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=CD42BF04-F322-6F61-3AB8-E40930308924