Assistant Director Engagement and Outreach

The key duties of the position include: The Role As the Assistant Director Engagement and Outreach, you will be responsible for actively managing the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s key stakeholder relationships to promote the organisation’s initiatives and programs to achieve required outcomes. You will: Exercise a considerable degree of independence and perform a leadership role, working across teams to drive communication and engagement activities to more effectively reach our key audiences and maximise participation in ASCA’s programs. Need to develop a strong understanding of ASCA’s stakeholders and their expectations to ensure they are well informed of ASCA’s objectives and can actively engage in ASCA’s programs. Have in-depth knowledge of communication and stakeholder function and will have a key role in developing and implementing ASCA’s Strategic Engagement and Communication Plan. Engage in complex problem solving and an extensive stakeholder base in a fast paced and dynamic environment. This role will involve supervising staff and as such you will be required to exercise your people management skills and knowledge to lead a high performing and cohesive team. This position will require some travel and work away from the office and at times, outside of standard business hours. About our Team The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) rapidly translate disruptive new technologies into defence capability in close partnership with Australian industry and research organisations. ASCA is a key element of Australia’s defence innovation, science and technology efforts, taking Defence further, faster by accelerating the delivery of minimum viable capabilities that can rapidly be put into operational use. The position of Assistant Director Engagement & Outreach sits within ASCA’s Strategic Engagement and Communications team, reporting to the Director. The team’s main function is to align, enhance and enable ASCA’s communication and engagement activities to more effectively reach our key audiences both internally and externally, and support the delivery of program outcomes. You will be at the cutting edge of innovation if Defence, working across ASCA’s directorates and exploring new mechanisms that promote and support ASCA’s focus on delivering asymmetric capabilities in priority areas. The environment is fast paced, with priorities shifting on a daily basis as we work together as a small cohesive team to deliver outcomes to a high standard. Our engagement with stakeholders is achieved through a variety of platforms and provides an opportunity to gain an insight into the wider defence innovation ecosystem. Our Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will demonstrate their qualifications and experience at the Assistant Director level against: Have a strategic understanding of the impact of communication and engagement activities to ASCA and Defence. Proven ability to engage and manage stakeholder relationships across a diverse network, communicate with influence, and deliver program/business outcomes. Experience in developing and implementing engagement and outreach activities that deliver program outcomes. Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for the achievement of own and team outcomes, monitoring progress and following through to deliver quality outcomes. Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills; including strategic thinking, ability to work in a dynamic environment and effective problem solving. Exceptional management skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities/projects simultaneously. Proven ability to build networks and work collaboratively across multiple teams and stakeholders. Self-driven and outcome focused, with excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. Eligibility Security Clearance Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance of 'Negative Vetting 1'. 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

Location: Middle Park, AU

Posted Date: 2/1/2025