The Role
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is seeking EL 1 Project Managers within the Innovation Incubation and Co-Design Directorates.
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator's (ASCA) is a unique and dynamic Defence organisation that offers rewarding learning opportunities to its workforce.
e breadth of ASCA's diverse missions and programs, which will quickly broaden your expertise. You will have the chance to work across multiple projects at various phases of their lifecycles and become an essential member of outcome focused teams. You will need to rapidly acquire knowledge, adapt and overcome obstacles to achieve project outcomes.
The key tasks for our EL 1 Project Managers are:
* Lead and develop high-performing teams, motivating and developing staff in a dynamic, high-tempo environment.
* Support the ASCA leadership in alignment with Defence and APS values and behaviours whilst delivering against ASCA's Mission.
* Support the development and execution of a multi-year business strategy derived from Branch and Division strategies to grow and secure the Directorate's capability and capacity.
* Continuously evaluate and refine the ASCA Operating Model and subordinate processes to improve organisational efficiency and quality.
* Build and maintain strong interpersonal relationships and networks across the Defence enterprise to legitimise ASCA's Mission, foster a participatory attitude, and secure on-demand priority support for ASCA activities.
* Stay informed of emerging trends in capability development, operational concepts, and regulatory frameworks relevant to ASCA projects.
* Support the Capability Delivery phases within the ASCA Operational Model.
* Accept temporary additional duties such as tender evaluation leadership and/or evaluation board membership.
* Lead the facilitation and delivery of workshops, presentations, technical reports, and other communications to key leaders and stakeholders that facilitate solutions, communicate project status, milestones, and outcomes effectively.
This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.
About our Team
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator's (ASCA) mission is to accelerate the development and transition of asymmetric capabilities to the Australian Defence Force through innovation, in order to meet Defence priority needs. Working in close collaboration with the defence industry — including Australian primes, SMEs, and research organisations — ASCA's priorities are shaped by the National Defence Strategy, the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy, and AUKUS Pillar II – Advanced Capabilities.
Since its launch on 1 July 2023, ASCA has played a key role in the most significant reshaping of defence innovation in decades, designed to deliver vital capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Priorities are delivered through three programs – Missions, Innovation Incubation, and Emerging Disruptive Technologies (EDT). Further information can be found at
The Co-Design Directorate (Co-Design) resides within ASCA's Capability Transition Branch (CTB) and is accountable for the Business Case Development within the Capability Management phases of the ASCA Operating Model. Co-Design builds and maintains consensus amongst Defence stakeholders for ASCA's capability targets, delivery methods and transition pathways. We recommend to senior leaders in Defence the investment pathway, and minimum viable process that assures an ASCA project will result in ADF capability.
The Innovation Incubation Directorate resides within Capability Delivery Branch, and is accountable for the end-to-end management of short (1-2 year), very agile technology/prototype development projects which make up ASCA's Innovation Incubation Program. The involves stakeholder management (including industry engagement), developing and managing commercial approaches to the market, managing project milestones, and facilitating the transition of developed technologies, such as through further development by an ASCA Mission, or acquisition of technology by the ADF.
Our Ideal Candidate
ASCA is seeking candidates who thrive in a high-tempo and dynamic environment. Within ASCA, staff are encouraged and empowered to take calculated risks and challenge the status quo whilst acting with integrity. To succeed in these role/s, you must be an adaptable and resilient individual, show initiative and be a team player who contributes to a respectful workplace.
Our ideal teammate can operate with a high level of self-direction and is comfortable in uncertain environments. They will maintain an expert-level understanding of the Defence enterprise, and/or capability development to support us navigating a complex ecosystem of capability and delivery management stakeholders, and governance and assurance frameworks. They will be comfortable leading without authority across services and delivery groups.
Application Closing Date: Thursday 26 February 2026
For further information please review the job information pack, reference ADFHQ/09705/25 on