Aso7 Program Manager

Location ADELAIDE Job status: Long Term Contract Eligibility: Open to Everyone Opportunity This is a unique chance to make a real impact for South Australia's veteran community. We're looking for an experienced Program Manager to lead programs and initiatives that empower current and former Australian Defence Force members, their families, and the wider veteran ecosystem to thrive. Reporting to the Director of Veterans SA, you'll take the lead in planning, developing, and delivering strategic initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes. You'll work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, building strong partnerships, facilitating outreach and engagement, and ensuring programs are effective, innovative, and aligned with our agency's goals. This 0.8 FTE role (up to 24 months) offers the chance to shape new approaches within government, influence programs that matter, and contribute to a small, high-performing team committed to action, impact, and lasting change. If you're a dynamic leader ready to deliver tangible results for veterans and their families, this is the role for you. About You You're a results-driven leader with a passion for making a real difference. You thrive in complex environments, translating big-picture strategy into tangible outcomes that empower South Australia's veteran community. Innovative and forward-thinking, you identify opportunities, tackle challenges, and create programs that are effective, resilient, and future-ready. Collaboration is at your core. You are a people person. You build strong partnerships across government, industry, research, and community, bringing people together to deliver meaningful impact. Your communication is clear, confident, and purposeful – inspiring trust, engagement, and action. Integrity, professionalism, and dedication guide everything you do. You focus on outcomes, championing initiatives that create opportunities, strengthen connections, and honour service. Above all, you're motivated by making a lasting, positive impact for veterans and their families, shaping a stronger, more prosperous South Australia for all. About Us Veterans SA is the South Australian Government's dedicated agency for veterans and their families – a connector, collaborator and catalyst for change. The agency works to bridge service and civilian life, tradition and innovation and the proud past that defines our veteran community with the prosperous future being created together. Our mission is clear: to transform the way South Australia supports, employs and honours those who have served. Veterans SA works across the public, private, industry and community sectors to create pathways that harness the experience, leadership and potential of veterans, their partners and families – strengthening South Australia's workforce, economy and communities. Veterans SA also ensures the state continues to lead nationally in understanding and addressing the evolving needs of the veteran community by driving smarter decisions and stronger outcomes through collaboration, research, and data-driven insights. From commemorating our shared history to unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation and leadership, Veterans SA is shaping the next chapter of South Australia's proud relationship with its veteran community – one built on purpose, progress and prosperity. Benefits Veterans SA is a small and agile portfolio which provides employees with challenging and rewarding work and great opportunities for learning and development and flexibility. Role Purpose / Context The Program Manager at Veterans SA leads the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of programs that support and empower South Australia's veteran community. Reporting to the Director, you'll take ownership of a diverse portfolio of initiatives, driving policy-informed, strategic programs that align with Veterans SA's Strategic Outlook, Action Plans, and broader government priorities. In this role, you'll lead with initiative, applying your expertise and creativity to ensure programs are delivered effectively, achieve measurable outcomes, and make a real difference for veterans and their families. You'll coordinate projects, collaborate across teams and stakeholders, and champion innovative approaches that strengthen community connections, create opportunities, and honour service. As Program Manager you will: Lead all programs, projects and events within the Veterans SA team, working closely with the Director and in collaboration with the Veterans SA team to inform future strategies, monitor progress, address issues, and mitigate risks. Lead the creation of a comprehensive engagement and consultation framework for programs, outreach and events relating to the SA business, veteran and defence community that aligns with the agency's strategic aims and outcomes. Lead and manage the planning and implementation of all Veterans SA events. With the Director and other team members, work with key South Australian government agencies to inform programs and initiatives for veterans and their families. Collaborate with identified South Australian-based agencies (federal, state and local) and non-government organisations to enhance state government engagement in the transition process for veterans and their families. Support the Director in Commonwealth engagement opportunities to improve cross-jurisdiction information sharing and collaboration on initiatives of mutual interest. Promote opportunities for engagement with business, veteran and defence communities and other key South Australian-based organisations and stakeholders. Identify opportunities, benefits, and risks associated with new and existing programs and initiatives relating to South Australia's business, veteran and defence communities. In partnership with relevant state government agencies, develop fiscally prudent and evidence-based programs with clearly defined benefits for the South Australian veteran community. Key Selection Criteria Experience in program or project management including risk management and sub‑contractor management. Experience in integrated community and stakeholder engagement strategies consistent with SAPS sovereign policies and / or IAP2 practices. Experience in planning and delivering high quality events and activation strategies. Experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships including with communities with complex needs and competing priorities. Experience in planning written communication including speeches, ministerial correspondence, media releases, social media and website content. General financial experience including budgeting, reconciling invoices and sub‑contractor / third-party management. Our Commitment to Diversity The South Australian Government is committed to building a flexible, diverse and inclusive culture, planning for and promoting diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse community groups and ages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ, people with disabilities, women and other diversity groups. The South Australian Government also strives to be an employer of choice for military veterans and their family members. We encourage applications from those with military experience and support employees who undertake active Reserve work for the Australian Defence Force. Special Conditions This is a 0.8 FTE contract / term vacancy up to 24 months. The incumbent is required to enter into an annual performance agreement. Work outside of normal hours may be required in times of peak activity. Enquiries Contact: Bianca Wheeler, Director, Veterans SA Phone: Email: Application requirements All applications must be submitted online via Careers – Defence SA. If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your resume, together with a Covering Letter (no more than two pages) outlining your skills and experience giving consideration to the key selection criteria and the experience and skills listed in the role description. Applicants must acknowledge that the role is 0.8 FTE in their cover letter. Applicants must submit a "Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector" form. Applications close: 12 / 12 / 2025 08 : 30 AM #J-18808-Ljbffr