Program Director – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770807
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Program Director
- Position Number: CASG/03864/26
- Classification: Executive Level 2
- Closing Date: Monday 03 August 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing;Non-Ongoing
- Location: Amberley QLD
- Future Merit Locations: Amberley
- Salary: $144,430 – $173,359
- Office Arrangement: On Site (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
The Air Base Operations Management Unit is a key business unit within the Heavy Air Lift
Systems Program Office, which is part of the Airlift and Tanker Systems Branch within Aerospace
Systems Division of the Defence Delivery Group. Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office is
responsible for the acquisition and sustainment of critical Air Force capabilities, including the
KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, C-17A Globemaster, and Air Base Operations capabilities.
These capabilities form a vital component of Australia’s strategic air mobility and air basing
support activities ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through to high-end
operational missions.
Air Base Operations Management Unit provides product management of the CAF43 Product
Schedule that delivers Air Base Operations capability for Combat Support Group within Air Force.
Working within an integrated Defence environment, the team collaborates closely with Combat
Support Group, Headquarters Air Command, and Air Force Headquarters stakeholders to ensure
Air Base Operations capability remains sustainable, interoperable and ready to support Defence
objectives.
The Air Base Operations Management Unit is a key business unit within the Heavy Air Lift
Systems Program Office, which is part of the Airlift and Tanker Systems Branch within Aerospace
Systems Division of the Defence Delivery Group. Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office is
responsible for the acquisition and sustainment of critical Air Force capabilities, including the
KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, C-17A Globemaster, and Air Base Operations capabilities.
These capabilities form a vital component of Australia’s strategic air mobility and air basing
support activities ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through to high-end
operational missions.
Air Base Operations Management Unit provides product management of the CAF43 Product
Schedule that delivers Air Base Operations capability for Combat Support Group within Air Force.
Working within an integrated Defence environment, the team collaborates closely with Combat
Support Group, Headquarters Air Command, and Air Force Headquarters stakeholders to ensure
Air Base Operations capability remains sustainable, interoperable and ready to support Defence
objectives. This is a unique opportunity to lead the development of Air Base Operations capability
and guide a team delivering critical capabilities that support Defence objectives and operational
effectiveness.
Our Ideal Candidate
This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced individual who can provide strategic
direction, drive organisational performance and influence Defence capability outcomes. The role
requires a highly capable leader who can successfully balance operational delivery, workforce
leadership, governance accountability and stakeholder engagement across a complex and
integrated Defence environment. The successful candidate will possess strong strategic thinking
skills, exceptional stakeholder engagement capability and a proven ability to lead integrated teams
to deliver organisational outcomes.
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Proven leadership experience in a complex operational, capability or program management
environment.
Experience developing strategy, priorities and business plans to deliver complex capability
outcomes.
Excellent judgement and decision making skills, particularly in environments governed by
complex policy, regulatory and legislative frameworks.
Proven ability to build productive relationships across integrated stakeholders.
Experience managing governance, assurance, risk and compliance activities.
Financial management experience, including planning, prioritisation and resource
stewardship.
Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and
stakeholders.
A commitment to continuous improvement, workforce development and integrated ways of
working.
The ability to translate technical, operational and product management considerations into
strategic outcomes.
A commitment to developing people and building a positive, inclusive and high performing
workplace culture.
Duties
- The Role
- As the EL 2 Program Director for the Air Base Operations Management Unit, you will provide
- strategic leadership, governance oversight and program management direction for the
- sustainment and ongoing development of Air Base Operations Air Base Operations capability.
- Operating with a high degree of independence and accountability, you will lead the delivery of
- complex capability outcomes across a diverse stakeholder environment. You will be responsible
- for ensuring Air Base Operations capability remains effective, available, integrated and aligned
- with Defence requirements and operational priorities.
- The role requires strong leadership to drive long term capability planning, informed
- decision-making, performance management, governance compliance and financial stewardship
- across a portfolio of product schedules. You will influence strategic outcomes through effective
- engagement with Defence stakeholders and industry partners.
- Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership for the sustainment, integration and continuous improvement
- of Air Base Operations capability.
- Developing and maintaining long term capability strategies that support Defence priorities
- and operational requirements.
- Leading Product Schedule reviews and capability performance measurement activities.
- Overseeing governance, assurance, compliance and accountability requirements, including
- relevant legislative, regulatory and Defence policy frameworks.
- Managing financial planning, resource allocation and expenditure to ensure delivery of Air
- Base Operations capability outcomes.
- Coordinating and integrating stakeholders across Defence to achieve cohesive and effective
- capability management.
- Providing authoritative advice to senior leaders on complex capability, governance, and
- sustainment matters.
- Building and leading a high performing workforce that promotes collaboration, innovation and
- continuous improvement.
- Managing product sustainment requirements and supporting informed decision making
- across the Air Base Operations capability system.
- This will be a non-ongoing opportunity for an initial 18 months, with the potential for on-going at a
- later stage if appropriate.
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 GPCAPT Scott Dagg, 07 5362 2570
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=A8B970D6-5F84-3358-464E-ED1C5FAF9
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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