Senior Executive Service Band 1 – Assistant Secretary Henderson The Henderson Shipyard plays a crucial role with regard to naval sustainment, maintenance and upgrade of Australia’s naval vessels, as well as the construction of smaller surface vessels. Its criticality will grow as the Shipyard is used to deliver new, more complex and larger-scale shipbuilding projects, as well as nuclear-powered submarine sustainment. Significant action and investment is needed to advance the capability and capacity of the site. The 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) recommended “active and urgent” Government intervention at Henderson to “remedy significant challenges around the workforce, the layout and development of the shipyard, and the relationship between infrastructure, shipbuilders, contractors and workforce providers.” The DSR also emphasised that industry consolidation options for the Henderson Shipyard be examined as a matter of urgency. The establishment of the Henderson Branch will ensure sufficient focus is placed on the necessary consolidation activities required at the Henderson Shipyard to support Defence’s capability milestones. The key challenges the Branch will face include: Meeting the DSR’s time imperative. The Branch will need to make well-informed decisions quickly, and find ways to deliver at pace. Managing all infrastructure related activities in the Henderson Shipyard such that key capability milestones for shipbuilding, sustainment, and the nuclear-powered submarine program are met. Managing the implementation of the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA), which presents a new high-risk high-reward approach requiring innovative commercial management if its benefits are to be fully realised and risks fully managed. Delivering significant near-term capability uplift to deliver on more complex shipbuilding and submarine sustainment programs, which will have significant implications for how Defence shapes the industrial base. Interfacing with and managing a number of stakeholders, with distinct interests, across both Government and industry that need to be coordinated and aligned. The Assistant Secretary – Henderson will report to the Head of Patrol Boats & Specialist Ships, and is responsible for the coordination and delivery of all activity relating to the Consolidation of the Henderson Shipyard and HMAS Stirling. This role is accountable to Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, and responsive to First Assistant Secretary Infrastructure (Security Estate Group) for infrastructure delivered by Security Estate Group at HMAS Stirling. Your Role The Assistant Secretary Henderson will lead and coordinate a complex ecosystem across shipbuilding, ship sustainment, and potentially nuclear-powered submarines, to determine policy and investment needs across workforce, infrastructure and the broader industrial base. The suitable candidate will lead a Branch with four areas of scope: Infrastructure, SSA, Program Management, and Engagement and Communication. To deliver this scope effectively, the Assistant Secretary will have to deliver strong cross-functional leadership. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader, exemplify the Defence Values and Behaviours, and engender a culture of innovation and agility. They will be self-aware, positive in considering and respecting a diversity of ideas and perspectives of others. They will demonstrate the capability to provide timely and accurate advice to senior leaders and the Government on complex matters. They will have outstanding judgement, strategic awareness, and parliamentary and media acumen.
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