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CE4 Project Scheduler - Job Opportunity at Downer Group

Canberra, Australia
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 23, 2025
On-site
AUD 120,000 - 160,000 annually based on the CE4 classification level, senior experience requirements, mandatory security clearance, and Canberra's premium defense contractor market. The specialized nature of defense scheduling with ITAR compliance and multi-stakeholder coordination typically commands 15-25% premium over commercial project scheduling roles.

Benefits

Priority consideration for future career-aligned opportunities ensuring accelerated career advancement
Access to career-defining defense and infrastructure projects that build exceptional professional credentials
Comprehensive professional development through structured career mapping, mentoring programs, and specialized training schools
Collaborative environment with industry-leading defense professionals providing unparalleled networking opportunities
Competitive lifestyle benefits package including discounted healthcare, retail savings, and automotive purchase programs
Extensive veteran support services including up to 20 days Reservist Leave facilitating military-civilian career transitions
Diversity and inclusion initiatives creating an equitable workplace for all backgrounds

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic development and maintenance of Project Integrated Master Schedules, serving as the central coordination point for complex defense acquisition programs worth millions of dollars
Facilitate critical scheduling workshops that directly impact project success, including resource optimization and dependency analysis for multi-stakeholder defense initiatives
Provide executive-level progress tracking and reporting that informs high-stakes decision-making across Department of Defense leadership and key defense entities
Proactively identify and resolve scheduling risks that could impact national defense capabilities, developing remediation strategies for mission-critical programs
Produce and maintain essential scheduling documentation including Master Schedules and Work Breakdown Structures that serve as foundational project management artifacts
Collaborate directly with Navy, Army, Air Force branches and major defense groups including DDG, NSSG, and CASG on projects shaping Australia's defense future

Requirements

Education

Relevant degree qualifications

Experience

Strong experience in Project and Program Support and Delivery within Defence, government, or professional services

Required Skills

Integrated Schedule Management Workshop Facilitation & Planning Support Progress Tracking & Reporting Issue Identification & Resolution Schedule Documentation & Outputs Schedule Management Expertise with large acquisition projects Defence Project Familiarity with Defence acquisition frameworks Project Controls & Methodologies

Certifications

Professional accreditation in schedule management (particularly with Open Plan Professional) NV1 security clearance minimum ITAR compliance capability
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Australia's defense spending is experiencing unprecedented growth with the AUKUS partnership driving massive investment in submarine capabilities and advanced defense technologies, creating exceptional demand for experienced project schedulers who can manage complex, multi-decade programs. The integration of mission engineering and digital transformation across defense projects requires schedulers who understand both traditional project management and emerging digital methodologies. The Australian government's commitment to sovereign defense capability is reshaping the defense contracting landscape, with companies like Downer positioning as prime contractors rather than subcontractors. This shift creates opportunities for schedulers to work on end-to-end program delivery rather than component-level projects, significantly enhancing career development potential. Defense project complexity is increasing exponentially due to integration requirements across cyber, space, and traditional domains, while regulatory compliance including ITAR restrictions is becoming more stringent. Project schedulers must now navigate international arms regulations, multi-national partnerships, and increasingly sophisticated risk management frameworks that didn't exist in traditional defense contracting.

Role Significance

Typically leads a scheduling team of 3-8 professionals while coordinating with project teams of 50-200 people across multiple organizations including prime contractors, subcontractors, and government stakeholders. The role serves as a critical integration point between diverse teams working on interconnected defense capabilities.
Senior specialist position with significant autonomy and strategic impact, responsible for coordinating schedules across multiple defense entities and serving as the primary scheduling authority for complex acquisition programs. The CE4 classification indicates a senior government-equivalent role with substantial decision-making responsibility and direct access to executive leadership.

Key Projects

Multi-billion dollar naval shipbuilding programs requiring coordination across international partners and domestic suppliers Advanced capability acquisition programs involving cutting-edge defense technologies with strict delivery timelines Digital transformation initiatives across defense platforms requiring integration of legacy and next-generation systems Joint service programs involving coordination between Navy, Army, and Air Force requirements and operational timelines

Success Factors

Deep understanding of defense acquisition lifecycle and government procurement processes, as traditional commercial project management approaches often fail in the defense context due to regulatory requirements, stakeholder complexity, and national security considerations that override typical business drivers. Exceptional stakeholder management skills capable of navigating competing priorities between military operational requirements, political considerations, industry partner objectives, and international alliance obligations while maintaining program schedule integrity under intense scrutiny. Advanced proficiency in specialized defense project management tools and methodologies, particularly Open Plan Professional, combined with ability to integrate traditional scheduling approaches with emerging mission engineering and digital engineering methodologies that are reshaping defense program delivery. Security clearance maintenance and ITAR compliance expertise, as these requirements create career-limiting barriers for many professionals but provide significant competitive advantage and access to the most impactful and well-compensated defense programs for those who maintain compliance.

Market Demand

Exceptionally high demand driven by Australia's largest peacetime defense investment program, critical skills shortage in defense project management, and limited pool of candidates with required security clearances and defense acquisition experience.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Open Plan Professional expertise is absolutely essential as this specialized tool is standard across Australian defense programs, with limited alternative experience acceptable due to government standardization requirements and the complexity of defense program integration needs that generic project management tools cannot address effectively. Defense acquisition framework knowledge represents irreplaceable institutional knowledge that cannot be learned through training alone, requiring direct experience with defense procurement processes, stakeholder relationships, and regulatory requirements that differ fundamentally from commercial project delivery environments. Security clearance and ITAR compliance capabilities create insurmountable barriers to entry for most professionals, making these qualifications critical differentiators that provide access to the most impactful and well-compensated positions in the Australian defense sector while limiting competition significantly.

Beneficial Skills

Digital engineering and mission engineering methodologies are rapidly becoming standard practice across major defense programs, with early adoption providing significant competitive advantage as these approaches become mandatory requirements for future program competitions and career advancement opportunities. Multi-domain integration experience across cyber, space, and traditional defense domains is increasingly valuable as defense programs require coordination across previously separate capability areas, creating opportunities for professionals who understand cross-domain dependencies and integration challenges. International partnership management skills are growing in importance due to AUKUS and other alliance programs requiring coordination across different national procurement systems, regulatory frameworks, and operational requirements that traditional single-nation defense experience doesn't adequately prepare professionals to navigate.

Unique Aspects

Direct collaboration with Australia's most senior defense leadership across Navy, Army, Air Force, and specialized defense groups, providing exceptional professional development and network building opportunities typically unavailable in commercial consulting roles
Involvement in programs critical to Australia's national security and sovereignty, including AUKUS submarine program, advanced missile capabilities, and cyber defense initiatives that represent the most significant defense investment in Australian history
Access to cutting-edge defense technologies and methodologies including mission engineering and digital engineering approaches that are reshaping global defense program delivery and creating new professional competencies
Opportunity to work as sovereign prime contractor rather than subcontractor, providing end-to-end program responsibility and direct client relationships that accelerate career development and professional recognition

Career Growth

3-5 years to senior program management roles given the accelerated career progression typical in defense contracting, particularly for professionals with proven track record on successful major programs and maintained security clearances

Potential Next Roles

Program Manager for major defense acquisition programs with P&L responsibility for programs worth hundreds of millions Senior Project Director overseeing multiple integrated defense capabilities across service branches Defense Practice Lead for major consulting firms specializing in government and defense program delivery Executive roles within Department of Defense or related agencies focusing on program management and capability delivery

Company Overview

Downer Group

Downer Group represents Australia's largest diversified services company with deep government relationships and significant defense contracting capabilities, positioning as the country's only sovereign prime contractor for major defense programs. The company's Professional Services division specializes in high-complexity consulting and program delivery across defense, infrastructure, and government sectors with particular strength in systems integration and capability development.

Market leader in Australian defense services with unique positioning as sovereign prime contractor, providing competitive advantage in an increasingly security-conscious environment where foreign ownership restrictions limit competition. Downer's scale and government relationships provide access to the largest and most strategic defense programs in the Australian market.
Dominant presence in Canberra's defense corridor with direct relationships across all major defense entities including Russell Offices, Department of Defence, and key defense agencies. The company's positioning provides employees with unparalleled access to senior defense leadership and involvement in policy-level program decisions that shape Australia's defense future.
Professional services environment emphasizing expertise, innovation, and leadership development with strong support for veterans and defense professionals transitioning to civilian roles. The company culture combines commercial efficiency with public service mission orientation, creating an environment where technical excellence and national service commitment are equally valued.
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