The Opportunity
Core Defence Australia (CDA) is seeking an experienced Project Manager based in Canberra, ACT to support Defence capability delivery across complex acquisition, sustainment, and program management environments.
This role is suited to a professional who can operate effectively in client-facing Defence settings, supporting delivery governance, stakeholder coordination, reporting, financial tracking, risk management, and project controls across technically complex programs.
Working closely with Defence stakeholders, industry partners, and integrated delivery teams, the successful candidate will contribute to the planning, coordination, and delivery of nationally significant capability outcomes.
This opportunity will suit a Project Manager with experience across Defence project environments who is comfortable supporting both platform or capability delivery activities and broader program management functions.
Responsibilities
* Lead and support project management activities across scope, schedule, risk, issues, and delivery
* Develop and maintain project plans, integrated schedules, reporting packs, and governance artefacts
* Coordinate stakeholders across Defence, industry, and cross-functional delivery teams
* Support acquisition and sustainment delivery within Defence program and SPO environments
* Track actions, dependencies, risks, and issues across the project lifecycle
* Support program-level reporting, financial tracking, forecasting, and performance monitoring
* Contribute to the development and implementation of standardised templates, tools, and processes
* Prepare briefs, decision support material, meeting packs, and project documentation for senior stakeholders
* Support contract and commercial coordination activities where required
* Contribute to continuous improvement and lessons learned activities across delivery environments
About You
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
* Based in Canberra, ACT, or able to work in Canberra in a client-facing Defence role
* Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in Defence project delivery, program support, acquisition, or sustainment environments
* Experience delivering project management outcomes within Defence or Federal Government
* Strong understanding of Defence governance, reporting, and stakeholder management requirements
* Ability to operate across both project delivery and broader program coordination activities
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
* Experience supporting risk, issue, dependency, and schedule management
* Commercial awareness and experience supporting procurement, contract, or financial coordination activities
* Ability to work effectively with APS, ADF, contractors, and industry representatives
Desirable Experience
Experience in any of the following will be highly regarded:
* CASG, SPO, GWEO, EO, DSTG, VCDF, or broader Defence capability environments
* Defence acquisition or sustainment programs
* Program-level governance and reporting
* Integrated schedules, financial reporting, and delivery tracking
* ASDEFCON or Defence documentation environments
* Technical, engineering, or capability delivery projects
Qualifications & Clearance Requirements
* Relevant tertiary qualifications in Project Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
* Australian Citizenship
* Current AGSVA NV1 Security Clearance minimum required