- Lead operational delivery for Australia’s sovereign submarine capability.
- Grow the operations workforce for nuclear sustainment.
- Drive operational excellence at the forefront of national defence.
ASC is at the heart of Australia’s sovereign defence capability. In partnership with the Commonwealth, global allies, and industry leaders, ASC delivers critical submarine sustainment programs across both conventional and nuclear domains. These programs underpin the safety, security, and strength of the nation for generations to come.
The Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer – Program Delivery, the Operations Director is responsible for overseeing ASC’s sustainment operations across South Australia and Western Australia. This is a mission-critical leadership role, charged with:
- Driving operational readiness and program delivery across ASC’s Collins Class and future nuclear sustainment programs.
- Leading operational teams in both SA and WA to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality outcomes.
- Optimising the production value stream to lift productivity, efficiency and prepare ASC for nuclear sustainment.
- Ensuring compliance with safety, environment and SUBSAFE standards while building a strong and engaged workforce.
- Building constructive relationships with Commonwealth stakeholders, industry partners, and workforce representatives to align operations with ASC’s strategy and contractual deliverables.
Why this role matters
Australia’s ability to sustain and transition to nuclear-powered submarines will hinge on the strength of its operations workforce. The Operations Director will play a pivotal role in shaping this future — ensuring ASC can deliver on current programs while preparing its workforce, culture, and systems for the generational step-change of nuclear sustainment.
About You
You are a seasoned operational leader (15+ years) with experience in defence, shipbuilding, or other complex, high-risk industries. You bring:
- Proven success leading large operational teams in trade and union environments.
- Deep knowledge of industrial relations, negotiation, and workforce engagement in trade-heavy contexts.
- Strong understanding of WHSE and regulatory requirements in complex technical environments.
- Experience in optimising production systems and embedding continuous improvement.
- The ability to balance strategic foresight with hands-on leadership, engaging diverse stakeholders across government, industry, and the workforce.
Relevant tertiary qualifications in engineering, business, or management are essential; post-graduate qualifications are highly regarded.
Location & Impact
This role is based in Perth, providing national impact across ASC’s sustainment enterprise.
Eligibility
This role requires a current National Police Clearance and an Australian Defence Security Clearance. Your eligibility for this role is dependent on you obtaining and maintaining such clearances.
To check your eligibility please visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website.
To Apply
ASC and Davidson are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/bde9bzj8
Please click Apply Now to submit your CV and cover letter. For confidential enquiries, contact: Sam Wallace – 0437 313 130| Vanessa Huxley – 0417 708 112
