The key duties of the position include:

The Role

The Assistant Director – Information Environment strengthens Defence’s understanding of the contemporary information environment and its impact on strategic communications. The role leads complex projects, provides expert advice on emerging threats and opportunities, and builds strong stakeholder networks across Defence and external partners. It requires translating research into actionable recommendations to support decision-making and enhance communication capability in a dynamic workplace.

Key Responsibilities

- Drive initiatives to improve understanding of audiences and the information environment, including an enterprise Information Environment Assessment capability.
- Conduct and coordinate research, analyse data, and deliver clear, evidence-based advice on emerging issues, including technological impacts. Build and maintain relationships across Defence, government and international partners, representing Defence in collaborative forums.
- Plan and deliver complex projects, manage competing priorities, and oversee contractors where required.
- Develop strategic plans aligned to organisational objectives, ensure governance compliance, and contribute to a high-performing team culture through leadership, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.

About our Team

The Strategic Communication Insights and Planning (SCIP) team supports deliberate and cohesive Defence strategic communication to progress the priorities of the National Defence Strategy and contribute to Australia’s Strategy of Denial.

SCIP operates across three integrated lines of effort—insights, plans and preparedness—to strengthen Defence’s ability to understand, plan and deliver effective communication in an increasingly complex information environment.

- Insights: The team drives research and evaluation to improve Defence’s understanding of key audiences and the broader information environment.



This includes advancing best practice methodologies, developing enterprise capabilities such as Information Environment Assessment, driving research initiatives, and engaging with domestic and international partners to benchmark and adopt leading approaches.
- Plans: SCIP provides enterprise-level guidance, frameworks and tools to enable consistent, integrated strategic communication across Defence. This includes development of enterprise-level communication strategies, planning approaches and practitioner resources, as well as fostering strong collaboration and information exchange across Defence and whole-of-government stakeholders.
- Preparedness: The team leads efforts to strengthen Defence’s communication readiness across the spectrum of military operations. This includes driving thought leadership, improving planning and governance processes, supporting capability development and training pathways, and coordinating cross-Defence forums to enhance preparedness.

Working at the centre of Defence’s strategic communication ecosystem, SCIP collaborates extensively across Defence, other Australian Government agencies and international partners to deliver forward-looking, evidence-based capability that enhances Defence’s ability to operate effectively in the information environment.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a motivated and strategic thinker with demonstrated ability in:

- Managing complex projects, including research and/or analytical initiatives.
- Analysing data and translating insights into actionable recommendations.




- Building strong stakeholder relationships across large, complex organisations.
- Providing high-quality advice on emerging risks, trends and policy issues.
- Working across multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Communicating effectively with a range of audiences, including senior leaders.
- You will demonstrate sound judgement, strong organisational skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

Desirable Experience

- Experience in strategic communication, information environment assessment, or related fields.
- Understanding of government structures, policy frameworks and decision-making processes.
- Knowledge of contemporary information threats, audience analysis, or influence activities.
- Experience working with research methodologies, data analysis or contractor management.
- Exposure to inter-agency or international collaboration environments.

Eligibility

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers

📌 Assistant Director Strategic Communication, Information Environment (Canberra)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Canberra