Posted today
Secret
Unspecified
Unspecified
Engineering - Systems
Canberra, Australia (On-Site/Office)
Overview
Working with us - Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) Australia
SPA Australia is a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal, commercial and analytics services to government and large organisations. Our multidisciplinary approach combined with trusted advisory and leading-edge technology and analysis takes our clients further. For more than five decades, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) has supported clients across the world to meet complex national security challenges.
In 2025 SPA acquired Proximity Advisory Services, a well-established and highly regarded consultancy organisation with unrivalled legal abilities, exceptional commercial capability, and a raft of specialisations in consulting. Today, SPA has a global footprint, including more than 130 employees based across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
SPA Australia 's Defence & Analytics team provides senior decision-makers within the Australian Department of Defence (Defence) with timely , objective assessments that inform capability employment and investment strategies.
Our team of former military professionals and operations research analysts integrates deep operational expertise with advanced analytic methodologies-including force generation modelling, agent-based tactical simulations, and operational mission analyses-to deliver trusted decision support that directly contributes to national security outcomes.
SPA Australia offers decision-makers within the Australian Defence Force evidence-based insights that address capacity and capability gaps, strengthen operational effectiveness, and optimise the deployment of current , and future Defence capabilities.
Responsibilities
SPA seeks a passionate and dedicated Director to join our Defence & Analytics practice. This senior role provides strategic leadership to high-performance, cross-functional teams conducting advanced quantitative and qualitative analyses of Australian and adversary military operations and capabilities across all warfighting domains, missions, and functional areas.
The Director will lead multiple concurrent workstreams-often under tight timelines-while rapidly assimilating new information , technologies, and concepts. The role requires the ability to anticipate emerging analytical needs, balance immediate customer priorities, and consistently deliver rigorous, defensible insights that inform senior decision-makers at strategic and operational levels.
This role will suit an experienced defence professional with demonstrated fluency across priority military operations and the enabling capabilities that underpin them. The successful candidate will also play a critical role in business development, leveraging existing networks to identify opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the growth of the Defence & Analytics practice.
Key Responsibilities :
Required Experience :
Qualifications
Desired Qualifications:
Note: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are applicable to this role and as such, the position will or is likely to require access to material controlled by ITAR and EAR (Controlled Material). Therefore, any person occupying the position must be able to satisfy ITAR and EAR controls, which may require specific authorisation to access Controlled Materials. Accordingly , your citizenship, previous citizenships, race or nationality, or substantive contacts where such contacts are affiliated with proscribed countries under ITAR may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. Further information on this requirement can be found at: https://spa.com/about/compliance-statements/. If you are concerned about whether you will satisfy the requirements of the role insofar as they relate to ITAR and EAR, you should contact Talent@spa.com, who will be able to provide you with relevant information.
Working with SPA Australia
Collaborating with our clients to overcome challenges and achieve excellent outcomes is what matters most. We create an exceptional workplace culture that empowers our people with the confidence and knowledge to find the 'right fit' solution for client needs. We're committed to a safe and respectful workplace where everyone - regardless of identity, orientation, background, or ability - feels valued and accepted. Our values are central to everything we do. We strengthen our culture and client advantage by being Genuine, taking a Bold Approach, and delivering Helpful outcomes in an Objective, Trusted, and Responsive way.
The SPA Australia Difference
We believe work should be a positive part of your life. It should challenge, engage, and support you in equal measure. By joining SPA Australia, you'll enjoy:
Does this sound like the right organisation for you?
We provide a highly competitive executive compensation package, performance-based incentives, a collaborative and supportive leadership environment, comprehensive employee benefits, and the opportunity to oversee work that delivers significant strategic impact and meaningful outcomes.
To find out more or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Loretta Pabian at careers@proximity.com.au / careers@au.spa.com
Working with us - Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) Australia
SPA Australia is a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal, commercial and analytics services to government and large organisations. Our multidisciplinary approach combined with trusted advisory and leading-edge technology and analysis takes our clients further. For more than five decades, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) has supported clients across the world to meet complex national security challenges.
In 2025 SPA acquired Proximity Advisory Services, a well-established and highly regarded consultancy organisation with unrivalled legal abilities, exceptional commercial capability, and a raft of specialisations in consulting. Today, SPA has a global footprint, including more than 130 employees based across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
SPA Australia 's Defence & Analytics team provides senior decision-makers within the Australian Department of Defence (Defence) with timely , objective assessments that inform capability employment and investment strategies.
Our team of former military professionals and operations research analysts integrates deep operational expertise with advanced analytic methodologies-including force generation modelling, agent-based tactical simulations, and operational mission analyses-to deliver trusted decision support that directly contributes to national security outcomes.
SPA Australia offers decision-makers within the Australian Defence Force evidence-based insights that address capacity and capability gaps, strengthen operational effectiveness, and optimise the deployment of current , and future Defence capabilities.
Responsibilities
SPA seeks a passionate and dedicated Director to join our Defence & Analytics practice. This senior role provides strategic leadership to high-performance, cross-functional teams conducting advanced quantitative and qualitative analyses of Australian and adversary military operations and capabilities across all warfighting domains, missions, and functional areas.
The Director will lead multiple concurrent workstreams-often under tight timelines-while rapidly assimilating new information , technologies, and concepts. The role requires the ability to anticipate emerging analytical needs, balance immediate customer priorities, and consistently deliver rigorous, defensible insights that inform senior decision-makers at strategic and operational levels.
This role will suit an experienced defence professional with demonstrated fluency across priority military operations and the enabling capabilities that underpin them. The successful candidate will also play a critical role in business development, leveraging existing networks to identify opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the growth of the Defence & Analytics practice.
Key Responsibilities :
- Provide strategic leadership to cross-functional teams conducting complex analysis across all warfighting domains assessing Australian and adversary military operations, capabilities and capacities.
- Foster a mission-focused, high-performance culture and provide strong leadership to project teams.
- Demonstrate and apply deep expertise in military operations and support and enabling capability roadmaps
- Build high level relationships with senior D efence stakeholders and be a trusted advisor .
- Support Defence clients in the planning, design, and execution of experimentation and operational analysis aligned with joint force design and integration priorities .
- Facilitate stakeholder engagements, including workshops and demonstrations .
- Oversee multiple concurrent analytical workstreams, ensuring timely delivery of rigorous, defensible analysis that supports strategic and operational decision-making.
- Write capability analysis reports and briefs and present results to stakeholders from a wide range of Defence organisation and varying levels of domain expertise
- Support clients in implementing operational and tactical plans that contribute to national security objectives .
- Identify strategic growth opportunities across the joint domain and lead growth within the defence joint operations market.
Required Experience :
- 15 + years relevant experience in military operations and associated technologies.
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more warfighting domains, missions, or functional areas.
- Background in capability development, systems engineering, operations or mission analysis.
- Proven ability to conduct rigorous research and analysis and form defensible conclusions using available, often incomplete, information.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, producing compelling and clear analytic products and briefings to support senior-leadership decision-making.
- Experience leading small teams and projects in support of Defence capabilities .
- Demonstrated ability to apply innovative analytical concepts, quantitative tools, and data visualisation methods to military problem sets and present results to executive-level leaders.
- Experience in military operational planning within an operational headquarters or in Defence capability management (including requirements definition, capability documentation, modelling and simulation, or operations research).
- Current Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) Australian security clearance, or willingness and ability to obtain and maintain one .
Qualifications
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline; or substantial military experience plus an advanced non-technical degree and proven Defence capability acumen (e.g., completion of the Capability Technology Management Program or equivalent).
- Current Positive Vetting (PV) Australian security clearance.
Note: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are applicable to this role and as such, the position will or is likely to require access to material controlled by ITAR and EAR (Controlled Material). Therefore, any person occupying the position must be able to satisfy ITAR and EAR controls, which may require specific authorisation to access Controlled Materials. Accordingly , your citizenship, previous citizenships, race or nationality, or substantive contacts where such contacts are affiliated with proscribed countries under ITAR may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. Further information on this requirement can be found at: https://spa.com/about/compliance-statements/. If you are concerned about whether you will satisfy the requirements of the role insofar as they relate to ITAR and EAR, you should contact Talent@spa.com, who will be able to provide you with relevant information.
Working with SPA Australia
Collaborating with our clients to overcome challenges and achieve excellent outcomes is what matters most. We create an exceptional workplace culture that empowers our people with the confidence and knowledge to find the 'right fit' solution for client needs. We're committed to a safe and respectful workplace where everyone - regardless of identity, orientation, background, or ability - feels valued and accepted. Our values are central to everything we do. We strengthen our culture and client advantage by being Genuine, taking a Bold Approach, and delivering Helpful outcomes in an Objective, Trusted, and Responsive way.
The SPA Australia Difference
We believe work should be a positive part of your life. It should challenge, engage, and support you in equal measure. By joining SPA Australia, you'll enjoy:
- Flexible working options
- Health and wellbeing support - financial and educational
- Professional development, support and funding
- Career progression pathways supporting your development and career goals
- The chance to give back to your community by working with our not-for-profit partners
Does this sound like the right organisation for you?
We provide a highly competitive executive compensation package, performance-based incentives, a collaborative and supportive leadership environment, comprehensive employee benefits, and the opportunity to oversee work that delivers significant strategic impact and meaningful outcomes.
To find out more or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Loretta Pabian at careers@proximity.com.au / careers@au.spa.com
group id: RTX14090f
