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 Threats and Workforce Protection (TWP) Branch in Stewardship and Security Division of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) supports the delivery of a safe and secure nuclear-powered submarine capability by understanding and communicating threats to the NPS Program, uplifting security culture and awareness across ASA and NPS enterprise workforces and mitigating personnel security risks through effective early detection, intervention and organisational suitability assessment processes.

We are seeking a highly motivated individuals to fill the multiple EL 1 – Assistant Director positions in the Threats and Workforce Protection Branch in Stewardship and Security Division of ASA.

In these roles you will exercise a considerable degree of independence and perform a leadership role, build strong relationships with stakeholders across the NPS Enterprise and work productively and collegiately in a multidisciplinary environment, manage competing and time critical protective security priorities, and provide detailed and sound strategic guidance to various stakeholders about complex protective security matters. Your work will promote and support the strategic objectives of the ASA.

Assistant Director Security Outreach

As Assistant Director Security Outreach you will lead a small team to cultivate productive relationships with government and non-government stakeholders across the NPS Enterprise. You will use your strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and experience to conduct in-person protective security briefings and engagement. You will have the ability to interpret and confidently brief stakeholders about NPS Program related legislation, policies, procedures, objectives and threat reporting.

You will identify, anticipate and respond to stakeholder requirements to promote and support the strategic objectives of the ASA. You will manage competing and time critical priorities, and provide detailed and sound strategic guidance to stakeholders about complex security matters.

Assistant Director Countermeasures

As Assistant Director Countermeasures you will lead a small team of investigators, manage and undertake fact finds of security incidents with a focus on personnel security issues, prepare security trend and incident reporting, and deliver effective protective security advice in accordance with the PSPF, DSPF and ASA security policies.

In this role, you will use your initiative and judgement to develop and deliver timely and appropriate protective security advice, respond effectively to emerging security issues, and develop timely and appropriate solutions to unique protective security problems.

Assistant Director Personnel Security, Strategy & Co-ordination

As Assistant Director Personnel Security, Strategy and Coordination, you will lead a small team coordinating and managing suitability assessment workflows and allocations, undertake and manage procurement and contract management activities in support of an external contracted workforce, and support the development and implementation of personnel security programs in accordance with the PSPF, DSPF and ASA security policies.

In this role you will use your strong organisational skills, procurement expertise, initiative and judgement to ensure efficient and effective delivery of the Branch’s organisational suitability assessments. You will oversee the performance reporting of business processes and work together with the assessments team to ensure availability of necessary resources.

Please note: This position is located in Canberra, ACT

Assistant Director Early Detection

As Assistant Director Early Detection, you will lead a small team developing and implementing ASA personnel security programs with a focus on early detection of personnel security concerns, analysis of trends affecting insider threats, and proactive case management.

In this role you will use your expertise of personnel security risk factors, strong initiative and judgement to develop and deliver protective security policy and advice with a strong focus on insider threat, respond to emerging security issues and develop solutions to unique security matters.

You will conduct personnel security interviews and provide protective briefings to support the ASA’s organisational suitability assessment processes.

Please note: This position is located in Canberra, ACT

About our Team

The Threats and Workforce Protection (TWP) Branch in Stewardship and Security Division of the Australian Submarine Agency supports the delivery of a safe and secure nuclear-powered submarine capability by:

• Understanding and communicating threats to the NPS Program
• Uplifting security culture and awareness across Australian Submarine Agency and NPS Enterprise workforces
• Mitigating personnel security risks through effective early detection (insider threat), security incident management and response, and organisational suitability assessment processes
• Providing contemporary security advice around national security clearance processes Our greatest asset is our people. We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities.

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.

The successful candidate for this role will demonstrate the following:

• A high standard of professionalism, integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
• Curiosity and lateral thinking skills for very complex problem-solving.
• Ability to lead and manage a team, set work priorities, manage workflows and mentor less experienced team members.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders in support of ASA and TWP business strategies.
• Strong interpersonal, written and communications skills, organisational skills & significant attention to detail to provide comprehensive advice and responses.
• Ability to operate independently under broad direction to perform and achieve complex work.
• Adaptability, resilience and flexibility in the face of changing and competing priorities, being able to set priorities and ensure the outputs for the work area.
• Actively contribute to innovative business improvement strategies and change in the workplace.
• Ability to develop, maintain and strengthen relationships, engage and liaise across a broad range of stakeholders to support and achieve results.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, regulation, policies, procedures, standards, corporate objectives, instructions and other material to complex circumstances.
• Undertake supervisory responsibilities for a small team including providing performance feedback and development opportunities, setting priorities, managing workflows, and providing guidance.
• Display maturity, resilience and a strong commitment to Australia’s national interest.

Application Closing Date: Monday 22 September 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/07144/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=3D09C9BC-5CB5-81ED-58BE-E420016A1882.