Program Manager, Defence Supply Chain Uplift

About us:

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government's lead economic development agency.

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace.

For more information about our agency, please visit:

Department of State Development |

About the role:

The Industry Development Team works to grow industrial capability in South Australian supply chains. It does  this by fostering the adoption of new technologies or management methods that assist our suppliers to grow and improve their productivity, thereby permitting them to compete and access new local or international  markets.

The Program Manager, Defence Supply Chain Uplift has a principal responsibility of assisting South Australian  businesses to develop the capabilities that will permit them to qualify to become part of future defence industry supply chains. The focus of the role is to build South Australian defence supply chain capability in readiness for the AUKUS and Virginia Class Submarine programs scheduled for delivery over the next 25 years.

This will be achieved by developing and fostering close relationships with key international defence primes, South Australian businesses and relevant state and commonwealth government agencies with a view to developing and delivering programs of work that result in local suppliers being able to access future defence contracts.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

1. Significant experience having worked in the defence sector or in industrial supply chains that are currently (or have the potential to become) qualified suppliers to the defence sector.
2. An understanding of state and commonwealth defence policies including the Australian AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, Defence Strategic Review, Defence Industry Development Strategy, Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities and the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan.
3. Presentation skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise presentations and deliver them with confidence to a range of stakeholders including senior defence officials, government representatives and the business community.
4. Demonstrated ability to work under broad policy guidelines, either independently or as a member of a team, determine priorities, plan, implement, evaluate, and manage tasks, projects and research and analyse, integrate and report on a range of data and information from a variety of sources.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary $121,107 to $125,679 max pa plus superannuation

Benefits:

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

• A variety of leave arrangements
• Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Access to great customised training and career development opportunities

Qualifications:

Essential: Nil Desirable: Qualifications in a technical, business or economic discipline and/or previous experience working within Defence industry or a similar environment.

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE), initial 24-month term contract.
• Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) required prior to employment.

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Paul Goiak, Director, Industry Development via

For further information and details on how to apply for this vacancy, please go to and search for vacancy number

How to Apply:

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Cover letter demonstrating the suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
• Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
• Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
• Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.

Applications close 19 September 2025, 11:00pm.