The Role
The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavor 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.
As an EL 1 Manager, you will play a critical role in maturing Australia’s sovereign nuclear‑technical education capability. You will lead complex policy work, oversee elements of course delivery governance and assurance, coordinate STEM pathway programs, and develop frameworks that support technical career development and international embedments.
You will collaborate with education partners, government agencies and international counterparts to monitor program quality, respond to emerging risks, and provide evidence based advice. Your ability to influence, analyse trends and translate policy into practical implementation will shape the effectiveness and credibility of the NPP Education Programs and Policy Directorate.
You will manage staff, drive continuous improvement and support executive decision making with clear, high quality briefs and recommendations.
About our Team
Technical Enterprise Branch is the engine room behind ASA’s development of our technical workforce. Our mission is to shape, grow and sustain the specialised technical skills that will power Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program for generations.
Working shoulder to shoulder with partners across ASA, Australian Government and internationally, we are helping to build a world-class technical workforce of curious, capable and committed professionals. We create pathways for people to develop, thrive and contribute to one of the nation’s most significant and inspiring endeavours, ensuring our program is delivered safely, securely and with enduring impact.
As part of our team, you will contribute to meaningful outcomes, build your professional capability and play a key role in supporting the delivery of essential infrastructure for the wider organisation.
Our Ideal Candidate
We are a dynamic organisation seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. Our ideal candidates will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:
Our ideal candidate is an experienced policy or governance professional with a strong understanding of education policy and associated governance and assurance frameworks, capability development, and national workforce needs. They bring strategic insight, strong leadership, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, multi stakeholder environment. They are proactive, analytical, and able to shape policy direction while managing competing priorities under broad direction.
They apply sound judgement, demonstrate integrity, and can translate evidence, research, and stakeholder input into high quality policies and frameworks. They build effective partnerships across government, education sectors, research organisations, and industry, contributing to a cohesive national approach to education and training capability growth. The ideal candidate fosters collaboration, leads initiatives that drive long term outcomes, and supports a positive high performance culture.
Key skills to perform within this role include:
* Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyse education, training, and workforce trends, assess capability needs, and contribute to the development of long term policy direction, frameworks, and strategy.
* Achieving Results: Experience leading complex policy or program work, coordinating multiple inputs, and delivering high quality outcomes under broad direction.
* Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and sustain productive relationships with senior stakeholders across government, academia, industry, and community sectors.
* Communication & Influence: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesise complex information into clear, evidence based advice for decision makers.
* Judgement & Professionalism: Consistent demonstration of sound judgement, integrity, and accountability when navigating sensitive, strategic, or ambiguous policy issues.
* Leadership: Experience leading or guiding teams, shaping work direction, and contributing to capability uplift and collaboration within policy or strategic environments.
* Innovation & Improvement: Commitment to continuous improvement, with experience developing or implementing initiatives that enhance policy effectiveness, partnerships, or national STEM capability.
Application Closing Date: Sunday 19 April 2026
For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/01802/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=112E09A8-DD45-27B6-6E90-ECC41FD9E53F