The key duties of the position include:
The Role
We are seeking dynamic, confident and solutions-focused individuals to join our high-performing team as Estate Management & Planning Manager. This role is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic oversight and leadership of the Defence estate. An Estate Management & Planning Manager works closely with Defence planners, infrastructure teams, industry partners, and local stakeholders to manage the built environment, land, and infrastructure assets that enable Defence capability.
Estate Management & Planning Managers are critical in ensuring Defence sites meet both current operational needs and future growth requirements. They lead infrastructure delivery coordination, risk management, and provide project support helping shape investment and development across the Defence estate.
In this role, you will provide high-quality support to ensure the smooth coordination, design, and delivery of infrastructure works on the Defence estate. Working closely with internal teams and a wide network of industry partners, you will help drive collaboration, support project milestones, and positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
A key part of your role will involve building and maintaining strong professional relationships. You will engage confidently with internal and external organisations and industry partners, acting as a reliable point of contact and representing the organisation with professionalism.
The position is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys working with diverse people and stakeholder groups, and brings a proactive, solutions-focused approach to their work. Your ability to communicate clearly, prioritise effectively, and support multiple projects simultaneously will be essential to your success.
About our Team
Northern and Central Zone is a branch of Service Delivery Division (SDD) within the Security and Estate Group. SDD is at the forefront of enhancing Defence capabilities and personnel readiness through innovative service delivery and support mechanisms. Our work directly contributes to the operational excellence and welfare of Australia's Defence force, offering unparalleled opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Northern and Central Zone is a critical business enabler of Defence capabilities, prioritising base resources and ensuring service delivery standards across the Defence Estate.
Northern and Central Zone manages the most significant and largest training areas and ranges in Australia, enabling substantial multinational and bilateral exercises such as Pitch Black and Talisman Sabre. We provide essential, on-the-ground services and support to Defence personnel at locations throughout Queensland
Our Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a leader who is adaptable and solutions-oriented. You will be someone who can anticipate future challenges, work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders, and bring a strong customer service mindset to everything you do. Our ideal candidate is proactive in managing risks and safety, comfortable in an operational environment, and builds strong relationships.
This role requires a leader to influence and drive a culture of safety, accountability and service excellence.
We are looking for someone who:
* Demonstrated strong leadership capability with the ability to guide teams, influence stakeholders, and drive positive outcomes.
* Effectively manages team performance and professional development.
* Displays excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with Defence personnel, contractors, service providers, and community partners.
* Demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically, identify issues and drive continuous improvement activities.
* Confidently manage competing priorities while maintaining a focus on safety, security, and operational continuity.
* Understand the importance of customer service and delivering high-quality support to Defence.
* The ability to forward plan a workload and the agility to reprioritise at short notice.
* Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable working in fast-paced and complex operational environments.
* Confident managing risk and compliance in a large and complex estate environment.
In turn, we will provide you with the following:
* Performance-related salary progression.
* Up to 15% superannuation.
* Standard hours of 37.5 hours per week.
* Negotiated flexible work arrangements.
* Ongoing training and development.
* Annual leave of 20 days per year.
* Personal/carer’s leave of 15 days per year.
* An additional day of leave per calendar year in addition to regular leave.
* Christmas stand down (a paid break during the Christmas and New Year period in addition to standard leave).
* A range of Parental and Reservist leave.
* Several health, well-being, diversity and inclusion networks.
* Defence Employee Assistance Program provided by Converge International.
We are looking for an enthusiastic leader to join our team immediately. This role is ideal for an energetic and motivated person and operational leader who is focused on ongoing self-improvement and professional development. A Merit Pool of suitable candidates will also be created for future placement.
Eligibility
Security Clearance:
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Baseline Vetting level.
Getting to know the Department of Defence
The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers