Assistant Directors (Multiple Vacancies) – Australian Submarine Agency
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0769934
- Agency: Australian Submarine Agency
- Division: Strategy and Frameworks Branch
- Job Title: Assistant Directors (Multiple Vacancies)
- Position Number: ASA/03075/26
- Classification: Executive Level 1
- Closing Date: Monday 15 June 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Adelaide SA, Majura ACT, Rockingham WA
- Future Merit Locations: Adelaide, Majura, Rockingham
- Salary: $124,393 – $140,315
- Office Arrangement: On Site (ASA is committed to assisting its employees with)
About Australian Submarine Agency
We have EL 1 opportunities available across a range of roles focused on strategic and
international policy, engagement and Defence capability analysis within Policy, Strategy and
Engagement Division of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). These roles sit at the center of
the ASA’s delivery of Australia’s most complex, high priority national defence program. As an EL
1, you will lead teams, help shape policy direction, and deliver high impact outcomes in a dynamic
environment that operates across domestic and international contexts.
The policy skills, strategic acumen, and both leadership and management capabilities you will
develop in these roles are highly valued across public and private sectors. The ASA actively
invests in the professional and technical capabilities of our people, and successful applicants will
consolidate a credible record achievement in:
Leading people and performance – building, coaching and empowering multidisciplinary
teams to deliver results in complex and evolving environments.
Delivering high-quality strategic advice – leading the development of complex policy,
capability and program advice for Ministers, Cabinet and senior decision-makers to inform
whole-of-government outcomes.
Influencing and partnering – shaping outcomes through effective engagement, negotiation
and collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders, including Commonwealth
and State governments, and AUKUS partners.
Driving whole-of-government outcomes – working closely with the Department of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Treasury, Department of Finance and other agencies to
shape policy, funding and implementation decisions.
Integrating complex inputs – synthesising legal, technical and strategic advice to inform
decision making and program delivery.
Building social licence – engaging transparently with communities and stakeholders to
support informed public confidence and understanding of Australia’s Nuclear-Powered
Submarine Program.
Applying frameworks and stewardship – applying whole-of-government policies,
governance and accountability frameworks in all aspects of delivery.
These roles require flexibility, including working additional hours during peak periods and
engaging with international partners across time zones. The ASA supports staff through TOIL and
overtime provisions. Opportunities for domestic and international travel may arise.
Roles are primarily office based in Canberra (ACT), with some positions in Adelaide (SA) and
Rockingham (WA).
Our Team Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division
The Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division shapes the strategic, domestic and international
environment to enable delivery of Australia’s Nuclear Powered Submarine Program as part of
Australia’s National Defence Strategy. The EL 1 vacancies are within the following three of five
branches within the Division:
Strategy and Frameworks Branch
Leads whole-of-government strategy and policy frameworks, including:
Driving AUKUS Pillar I government-to-government arrangements and agreements.
Providing strategic advice on complex capability, commercial and policy challenges.
Stewarding ASA’s Cabinet strategy, policy development, and programmatic advice to the
Australian Government to inform its decision-making.
Strategic Engagement and Policy Branch
Leads national and international engagement to build trust and alignment, including:
Through strategic policy, advance trilateral and high-level diplomatic priorities to advance
Australia’s interests within AUKUS, and strengthen bipartisan and international support for
the program.
Leads national efforts to strengthen social licence, build public confidence in program
activities and inspire the future workforce needed for delivery.
Countering disinformation through transparent communication and engagement.
Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Branch
Leads Australia’s non-proliferation approach for Australia’s acquisition and operation of
conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines, including:
Developing and implementing safeguards policy that sets the highest non-proliferation
standard, while protecting sensitive information and assets.
Advocating for safeguards and non-proliferation equities across all phases of the Optimal
Pathway.
Serving as an interlocutor between whole-of-government agencies and regulators, ensuring
non proliferation policy and implementation considerations are balanced with operational and
programmatic requirements, and integrated within Australia’s domestic frameworks.
Our Ideal Candidates
We seek high-performing, motivated and resilient emerging leaders who can:
Lead with purpose and integrity, contributing to national outcomes
Navigate complexity and ambiguity, delivering pragmatic, risk-informed solutions
Communicate with impact, providing clear, influential written and verbal advice
Build and sustain relationships, influencing across government, industry and international
partners
Work collaboratively and with initiative to enable teams and stakeholders to achieve shared
outcomes
Adapt and align to the ASA’s priorities and nuclear mindset.
Foster inclusive, high-performing teams, supporting capability development and wellbeing.
Champion our inclusive, curious and empowered culture.
You will demonstrate:
Proven leadership capability, including managing staff, setting direction and delivering
results through others
Experience in one or more of the following:
Policy development and implementation.
International engagement or negotiations.
Complex capability, strategic or commercial issues.
Communications and stakeholder engagement.
Community engagement and social licence.
Sound judgement, integrity and professionalism, including representing the Government in
sensitive environments.
Strong ability to collaborate across boundaries and lead policy development in partnership
with others.
Highly effective communication and influencing skills, including integrating technical and
legal advice
Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability, with a focus on outcomes and risk
management
Ability to prioritise and deliver under pressure, including managing competing demands
Commitment to self-reflection, learning and continuous improvement as a leader
The ASA values diverse experience and perspectives and supports ongoing professional
development through formal learning, on-the-job experience and a collaborative culture.
Key duties
As an EL1, your duties will include:
Leading the development and delivery of whole-of-Program Cabinet submissions and
influential policy and technical advice to Ministers, the Cabinet and its Committees, and the
ASA’s Senior Executive.
Driving implementation of policy, legal and technical outcomes across the Program.
Supporting the development of world-first non-proliferation arrangements for Australia’s
Program.
Collaborating with international partners, and navigating engagement with the region, the
global non-proliferation community and international organisations.
Preparing public communications and engagement activities to build social licence.
Managing high-profile domestic and international engagements, visits and events.
Developing and maintaining trusted relationships across government and externally.
Representing ASA in a range of forums.
Candidates are encouraged to consider the type of role they would be most suitable for and tailor
their applications accordingly.
Duties
- About the Opportunities
- We have EL 1 opportunities available across a range of roles focused on strategic and
- international policy, engagement and Defence capability analysis within Policy, Strategy and
- Engagement Division of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). These roles sit at the center of
- the ASA’s delivery of Australia’s most complex, high priority national defence program. As an EL
- 1, you will lead teams, help shape policy direction, and deliver high impact outcomes in a dynamic
- environment that operates across domestic and international contexts.
- The policy skills, strategic acumen, and both leadership and management capabilities you will
- develop in these roles are highly valued across public and private sectors. The ASA actively
- invests in the professional and technical capabilities of our people, and successful applicants will
- consolidate a credible record achievement in:
- Leading people and performance – building, coaching and empowering multidisciplinary
- teams to deliver results in complex and evolving environments.
- Delivering high-quality strategic advice – leading the development of complex policy,
- capability and program advice for Ministers, Cabinet and senior decision-makers to inform
- whole-of-government outcomes.
- Influencing and partnering – shaping outcomes through effective engagement, negotiation
- and collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders, including Commonwealth
- and State governments, and AUKUS partners.
- Driving whole-of-government outcomes – working closely with the Department of the
- Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Treasury, Department of Finance and other agencies to
- shape policy, funding and implementation decisions.
- Integrating complex inputs – synthesising legal, technical and strategic advice to inform
- decision making and program delivery.
- Building social licence – engaging transparently with communities and stakeholders to
- support informed public confidence and understanding of Australia’s Nuclear-Powered
- Submarine Program.
- Applying frameworks and stewardship – applying whole-of-government policies,
- governance and accountability frameworks in all aspects of delivery.
- These roles require flexibility, including working additional hours during peak periods and
- engaging with international partners across time zones. The ASA supports staff through TOIL and
- overtime provisions. Opportunities for domestic and international travel may arise.
- Roles are primarily office based in Canberra (ACT), with some positions in Adelaide (SA) and
- Rockingham (WA).
- Our Team Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division
- The Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division shapes the strategic, domestic and international
- environment to enable delivery of Australia’s Nuclear Powered Submarine Program as part of
- Australia’s National Defence Strategy. The EL 1 vacancies are within the following three of five
- branches within the Division:
- Strategy and Frameworks Branch
- Leads whole-of-government strategy and policy frameworks, including:
- Driving AUKUS Pillar I government-to-government arrangements and agreements.
- Providing strategic advice on complex capability, commercial and policy challenges.
- Stewarding ASA’s Cabinet strategy, policy development, and programmatic advice to the
- Australian Government to inform its decision-making.
- Strategic Engagement and Policy Branch
- Leads national and international engagement to build trust and alignment, including:
- Through strategic policy, advance trilateral and high-level diplomatic priorities to advance
- Australia’s interests within AUKUS, and strengthen bipartisan and international support for
- the program.
- Leads national efforts to strengthen social licence, build public confidence in program
- activities and inspire the future workforce needed for delivery.
- Countering disinformation through transparent communication and engagement.
- Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Branch
- Leads Australia’s non-proliferation approach for Australia’s acquisition and operation of
- conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines, including:
- Developing and implementing safeguards policy that sets the highest non-proliferation
- standard, while protecting sensitive information and assets.
- Advocating for safeguards and non-proliferation equities across all phases of the Optimal
- Pathway.
- Serving as an interlocutor between whole-of-government agencies and regulators, ensuring
- non proliferation policy and implementation considerations are balanced with operational and
- programmatic requirements, and integrated within Australia’s domestic frameworks.
- Our Ideal Candidates
- We seek high-performing, motivated and resilient emerging leaders who can:
- Lead with purpose and integrity, contributing to national outcomes
- Navigate complexity and ambiguity, delivering pragmatic, risk-informed solutions
- Communicate with impact, providing clear, influential written and verbal advice
- Build and sustain relationships, influencing across government, industry and international
- partners
- Work collaboratively and with initiative to enable teams and stakeholders to achieve shared
- outcomes
- Adapt and align to the ASA’s priorities and nuclear mindset.
- Foster inclusive, high-performing teams, supporting capability development and wellbeing.
- Champion our inclusive, curious and empowered culture.
- You will demonstrate:
- Proven leadership capability, including managing staff, setting direction and delivering
- results through others
- Experience in one or more of the following:
- Policy development and implementation.
- International engagement or negotiations.
- Complex capability, strategic or commercial issues.
- Communications and stakeholder engagement.
- Community engagement and social licence.
- Sound judgement, integrity and professionalism, including representing the Government in
- sensitive environments.
- Strong ability to collaborate across boundaries and lead policy development in partnership
- with others.
- Highly effective communication and influencing skills, including integrating technical and
- legal advice
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability, with a focus on outcomes and risk
- management
- Ability to prioritise and deliver under pressure, including managing competing demands
- Commitment to self-reflection, learning and continuous improvement as a leader
- The ASA values diverse experience and perspectives and supports ongoing professional
- development through formal learning, on-the-job experience and a collaborative culture.
- Key duties
- As an EL1, your duties will include:
- Leading the development and delivery of whole-of-Program Cabinet submissions and
- influential policy and technical advice to Ministers, the Cabinet and its Committees, and the
- ASA’s Senior Executive.
- Driving implementation of policy, legal and technical outcomes across the Program.
- Supporting the development of world-first non-proliferation arrangements for Australia’s
- Program.
- Collaborating with international partners, and navigating engagement with the region, the
- global non-proliferation community and international organisations.
- Preparing public communications and engagement activities to build social licence.
- Managing high-profile domestic and international engagements, visits and events.
- Developing and maintaining trusted relationships across government and externally.
- Representing ASA in a range of forums.
- Candidates are encouraged to consider the type of role they would be most suitable for and tailor
- their applications accordingly.
Eligibility / Notes
- Security Clearance:
- Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
How to Apply
Position Contact Ruth Fields, 02 5128 7293
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=1BFD5A21-D362-8A20-61DB-ECF2ED972
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
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