Chief Operations to Deputy Secretary NSSG – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770773
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Chief Operations to Deputy Secretary NSSG
- Position Number: NSSG/03855/26
- Classification: Executive Level 2
- Closing Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Canberra ACT
- Future Merit Locations: Canberra
- Salary: $144,430 – $173,359
- Office Arrangement: On Site (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
The Office of the Deputy Secretary (ODEPSEC) sits at the centre of Naval Shipbuilding and
Sustainment Group’s executive coordination, governance, and enterprise performance. Led by the
Chief Operations, the function directly supports the Deputy Secretary to integrate strategy,
operations, and delivery oversight across the Group.
The team provides high-level executive support to the Deputy Secretary, driving alignment of
priorities, coordination across divisions, and visibility of performance, risk, and delivery. It plays a
central role in shaping senior decision-making by synthesising insights across capability delivery,
workforce, policy, and governance in a complex and high-tempo environment. Operating in a
high-visibility environment, the team manages sensitive issues and drives disciplined coordination
across the Group, ensuring effective governance and clear, actionable advice to support
decision-making and delivery outcomes.
Our Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Exceptional judgement and strategic awareness, with the ability to provide clear, considered
advice in a complex environment.
Experience operating at senior levels, supporting decision-making through influence rather
than direct authority.
Highly developed analytical and advisory skills, including the ability to synthesise complex
information into clear, actionable insights.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across
senior Defence leadership and key partners.
Experience supporting senior executives in a chief of staff, governance, or coordination role
within a large organisation.
Ability to manage competing priorities and ambiguity in a high-tempo environment,
maintaining responsiveness and attention to detail.
Strong organisational skills, adaptability, and a collaborative approach aligned to Defence
Values and Behaviours.
Candidates will be resilient, prepared to engage with risk and demonstrate the highest levels
of professionalism.
Duties
- The Role
- Operating at the centre of the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, this role provides direct
- support to the Deputy Secretary and sits at the centre of strategy, operations, and enterprise
- performance.
- The position plays a critical role in shaping decision-making at the most senior levels of Defence
- by integrating insights across policy, capability delivery, workforce, and risk in a complex and
- high-profile national security environment.
- In this role, you will:
- Act as a trusted advisor to the DEPSEC NSSG on business operations, governance,
- workforce, and organisational performance.
- Integrate insights across NSSG to provide clear, actionable advice on complex, time-critical
- issues.
- Drive enterprise governance, reporting and assurance, ensuring visibility of priorities, risks
- and delivery performance.
- Coordinate and align Group-wide priorities, on behalf of the DEPSEC, supporting alignment
- across divisions and translating strategic direction into coherent focus areas.
- Provide advice on emerging issues, workforce pressures, and delivery performance in a
- high-tempo environment.
- Lead a small and dynamic team to provide high-level executive support and advice,
- executive coordination, including high-quality briefings, submissions, and senior stakeholder
- engagement.
- Enable collaboration across NSSG and manage sensitive and strategic issues with
- discretion and sound judgment.
Eligibility / Notes
- Security Clearance
- Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.
How to Apply
Position Contact Vee Aslimoski, Please Email
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=8D9E1996-0F44-278E-86B5-ED1BAE4301
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
Defence Vacancy