The key duties of the position include: The Role The Security and Estate Group (SEG) is looking to fill a range of Director positions: Director of Vetting Operations - External Security Vetting Services (ESVS): The Director of Vetting Operations - ESVS is pivotal in safeguarding Australia’s national security by delivering responsive and assured whole of government security clearance vetting services within the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). In this role, you will manage vetting operations in a dynamic environment; lead a high-performing and geographically dispersed team of vetting professionals. Team sizes range from approximately 15 Australian Public Service (APS) employees to larger teams comprising both APS employees and contractors, totalling more than 60 staff. The total APS workforce is approximately 190 staff across five locations. A key aspect of the role involves managing a panel of external vetting service providers that deliver elements of AGSVA’s core vetting functions. This includes effective contract management, case coordination, performance monitoring, and quality assurance. More than 700 specified personnel are managed across eight Prime companies, under contracts valued in excess of $190 million over a three -year period. You will oversee assurance programs to strengthen organisational compliance with whole-of-Government security vetting requirements and manage clearance casework and decision-making across all security levels, including pre-assessment and maintenance activities. You will be responsible for case throughput in accordance with AGSVA’s Service Level Charter timeframes. This is a leadership position requiring strategic thinking, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to influence outcomes across Defence and whole-of-Government. This position requires an NV2 security clearance. Location: Flexible in either: Canberra -ACT ,Darwin – NT, Brisbane - QLD, Sydney – NSW, Melbourne -VIC , Adelaide – SA, Perth - WA Director of International Security Policy: As the Director of International Security Policy, you will lead the development, advocacy, and implementation of advice on complex strategic and international policy issues. This is a critical leadership role, influencing Australia’s national security interests and ensures the secure sharing of official information with foreign partners to advance Australia’s strategic objectives. You will provide direction and oversight across the policy function, ensuring integration and consistency in advice and implementation. This includes managing and developing high-performing teams, setting clear expectations, and driving performance and capability. You will oversee resource allocation, priorities, and workflows to deliver outcomes aligned with Defence’s objectives, while preparing complex briefs, reports, and correspondence to support senior decision-making. In this role, you will advise on emerging challenges, recommend policy responses, and represent Defence at national and multinational engagements. Your ability to build and sustain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, negotiate effectively, and anticipate sensitivities will be key to achieving Defence’s policy objectives. You will also ensure compliance with legislative, policy, and regulatory frameworks while developing strategic guidance for programs and initiatives that shape Australia’s security posture. This position requires an NV2 security clearance. Location : Campbell Park – ACT Director of Service Delivery: As the Director of Service Delivery, you will lead a large, regionally dispersed workforce responsible for delivering base support and estate services across a dynamic and complex Defence environment. This high-profile leadership role drives integration and alignment of regional services to achieve national consistency, innovation, and reform. You will champion customer-focused outcomes, foster strong stakeholder relationships, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Reporting to the Assistant Secretary Regional Services, you will influence strategic priorities, lead change, and manage geographically dispersed teams to deliver essential estate and service functions. The role requires frequent travel across Defence establishments and participation in leadership development activities, which may involve interstate travel and overnight stays in Defence-approved or on-site accommodation. This is a dynamic and rewarding opportunity for a collaborative leader who excels in fast-paced environments and is dedicated to advancing Defence’s mission. This position requires a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) security clearance. Two vacancies: Sydney – NSW & Edinburgh - SA About our Team SEG develops, sustains and protects the Defence estate. SEG is the consolidated security and service delivery organisation for Defence. SEG’s mission is to enable Defence capability by working in partnership with our clients to deliver integrated services through a highly capable workforce. SEG comprises of four divisions (Infrastructure, Service Delivery, Security and Estate Transformation). Together, these divisions create a secure Defence estate, supporting Defence’s mission and the integrated, focused force described in the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Our current vacancies exist in the following divisions: Defence Security Division The Defence Security Division provides adaptable security services to Defence and Defence industry, and provides timely, considered guidance to all Defence employees. The division comprises of four branches (Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA), Defence Industry Security, Security Policy & Services, and Security Threat & Assurance). Service Delivery Division The Service Delivery Division (SDD) delivers vital on-the-ground services that support Defence personnel across Australia by maintaining living, working, and training environments. Service Zones oversee estate management, base operations, risk management, and coordination. Please note: While current vacancies exist within the Defence Security and Service Delivery Divisions, this recruitment process may be used to establish a merit pool to fill similar roles across SEG, nationally. Our Ideal Candidate Our ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and strategic capability. They will bring advanced people management skills to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing teams, while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture across geographically dispersed workforces. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills are essential, including the ability to negotiate persuasively and influence outcomes at senior levels. Candidates will exhibit resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to make informed decisions under pressure, while maintaining accountability for delivering high-quality results. We are seeking individuals with proven experience in driving organisational improvement and embedding reform, coupled with strong coaching and mentoring skills to build workforce capability and support continuous improvement. Extensive knowledge of legislative frameworks, government decision-making processes, and Defence compliance requirements is critical to success in these roles. In addition to these core leadership attributes, we are looking for the following role-specific skills: Director of Vetting Operations – ESVS Experience leading large, nationally dispersed high performing teams. Experience delivering high-volume, high-tempo operational outcomes within defined Key Performance Indicators. Proven ability to deliver high-quality protective security advice on complex and sensitive issues to senior stakeholders. Skilled in leading and managing the provision of protective security advice to stakeholders to ensure adherence to security policies, practices and procedures. Demonstrated ability to advocate productive and collaborative relationships with whole-of-Government stakeholders to achieve protective security objectives. Proven ability to interpret a range of data sources to effectively manage diverse activities in a fast moving operational environment. Director of International Security Policy Understanding of national security and geostrategic issues to shape strategic policy direction. Demonstrated ability to anticipate emerging challenges and develop innovative, forward-looking policy responses aligned with Defence objectives. Proven ability to translate complex strategic considerations into clear, actionable advice for senior decision-makers. Ability to confidently represent Defence in high-level forums and manage sensitive issues with discretion and professionalism. Director of Service Delivery Ability to translate complex operational, administrative, and technical requirements into practical, executable strategies. Skilled in influencing and negotiating with contract partners to integrate commercial delivery with Defence standards and reform objectives. Eligibility Security Clearance: Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”. 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
