About this role
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 a Transition Manager in Canberra to work on CASG Joint projects.
What You’ll Do
This role offers a broad scope, with key role responsibilities including:
Lead the execution and ongoing maintenance of the JP9101 Transition Plan, ensuring updates reflect acquisition progress and clearly define steps, timelines, and resource requirements.
Develop and progress Transition Transfer Documents, securing approvals and supporting the structured handover of mission system responsibilities into sustainment.
Provide expert advice on emerging transition issues, offering recommendations that support delivery against program plans, policy objectives, and project priorities.
Collaborate closely with internal teams, external vendors, and stakeholders to clarify roles, facilitate transition activities, and ensure effective knowledge and documentation transfer.
Identify transition risks and challenges, implement mitigation strategies, and oversee quality checks, performance monitoring, and post‑transition reviews to drive continuous improvement.
What You’ll Bring
Tertiary qualifications in project management, engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience delivering complex transition activities within Defence acquisition or sustainment environments, including familiarity with ASDEFCON frameworks.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse stakeholder groups and guide teams through change.
Proven capability in program or project management, including risk management, resource coordination, and leading teams through strategy implementation.
Knowledge of Defence-specific requirements, including experience managing CASG Capability programs, classified network handling and policies, quality assurance practices, and performance monitoring, supported by relevant certifications such as PMP or CPPM (desirable).
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.
Other facts
About Downer
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.
What you'll do
- Lead the execution and maintenance of the JP9101 Transition Plan and develop Transition Transfer Documents for mission system responsibilities. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to manage transition risks and ensure effective knowledge transfer.
Ready to join Downer?
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