Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia’s future.
Downer Professional Services comprises of three business units our Technical, Advisory, and Capability consulting practice, and Team Downer, which partners with CASG and NSSG as a major service provider to Defence Together, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for clients across Defence and National Security.
We currently have an opportunity for an Assistant Project Manager in Canberra to work on Joint projects
What You’ll Do
This role offers a broad scope, with key role responsibilities including:
Support senior project leadership, providing day‑to‑day project management assistance to the EL1 Integrated Project Manager and Deputy IPM, including documentation, planning and coordination.
Develop, maintain and track project artefacts, such as project plans, schedules, status reports and progress updates against scope, milestones, timelines and budgets.
Manage project risks, issues and changes, identifying and monitoring emerging concerns, escalating when required and ensuring all scope, schedule and budget changes follow Defence policy.
Facilitate project governance activities, including preparing agendas, running meetings, following up action items and assisting with senior‑level briefings and presentations.
Engage with SMEs and vendors, reviewing CDRLs, supporting systems engineering activities, managing procurement tasks and ensuring contractual obligations and continuous improvement opportunities are met.
What You’ll Bring
Relevant tertiary qualifications and Defence‑aligned project management expertise, including experience with ODCS, ASDEFCON and Defence project methodologies.
Proven project delivery capability, demonstrated through successful planning, development and execution of Defence or CASG projects, including use of CASG reporting tools.
Strong financial, procurement and risk management knowledge, with the ability to apply Defence policies, frameworks and legislative requirements.
Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working collaboratively in Integrated Working Groups and presenting to senior stakeholders.
Highly desirable Defence experience and advanced credentials, such as capability project exposure, sustainment knowledge, cross‑functional team management and certifications like CPPM or PMP.
Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain a minimum Negative Vetting 1 or higher Security clearance as required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may also be an inherent requirement.
More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.
Why Downer Professional Services
At Downer Professional Services, we’re not just a workplace - we’re a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country’s only sovereign prime, we’re committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia’s interests.
What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services
Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.
Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.
Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through Perks@Downer.
Veteran support Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service.
You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.
We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.
We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.
As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.
If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.
Enabling communities to thrive.
It’s what we’ve done for more than 150 years. Solving problems. Making the extraordinary run smoothly every day. We’re keeping the lights on and the water flowing. Running the hospitals that take care of us. Delivering the transport that takes us from A to B. Maintaining communication networks that keep people connected. Helping our Government and Defence customers keep them protected. Delivering train fleets. Building bridges, roads and streets. Now we’re building momentum too. Moving forward even faster.
Across Australia and New Zealand, we’re transforming the way we work. Unlocking our potential to lead by example. Using our passion and expertise to deliver complex projects and turn fresh ideas into solutions that make society a better place. Creating opportunities for our people, growth and value for our shareholders, and world-class solutions for our customers. Imagining. Innovating. Engineering. Enabling.
