Deputy Director Capability & Quality Assurance

The Role

The Deputy Director Capability and Quality Assurance position within the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) provides strategic leadership and oversight of capability development, training governance, learning and development, and quality management system (QMS) assurance activities.

The role is responsible for ensuring DASA's capability frameworks, education and training systems, and business processes remain fit for purpose, aligned with ISO 9001 principles, and positioned to support DASA's safety, regulatory, and organisational objectives.

You will support DASA's mandate to enhance and promote military aviation safety through the pragmatic application of ISO 9001 aligned quality management, education, and training frameworks, providing the governance and assurance necessary to strengthen organisational capability, improve performance, and support effective regulatory outcomes.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of DASA’s capability and quality assurance frameworks, aligning capability, governance, and assurance activities with organisational priorities, regulatory intent, and aviation safety outcomes.
• Maintain strategic oversight of DASA’s ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS), supporting ongoing certification, system integrity, audit readiness, and alignment with evolving standards and best practice.
• Lead the governance and strategic direction of DASA’s learning and development and training capability functions, including workforce capability frameworks, education programs, and professional development initiatives that support the aviation safety community.
• Provide strategic advice and support to the Director on capability, quality assurance, governance, risk, and performance matters, contributing to informed decision-making and the achievement of DASA's strategic objectives.
• Direct evidence-based assurance activities and reporting, including audit support, performance monitoring, and quality assurance processes that demonstrate system effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including capability and training providers, to support the delivery of capability, training, and assurance outcomes.
• Establish, monitor, and report on strategic performance and risk indicators (KPIs/KRIs) to provide meaningful insights into organisational capability, training effectiveness, quality system maturity, and organisational performance.
• Oversee risk, compliance, and resource management activities to support the effective and proportionate delivery of assurance functions and business outcomes.
• Promote and embed a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement, applying ISO principles in a practical and value-adding manner that strengthens capability, performance, and aviation safety outcomes.

About our Team

The Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) is responsible to enhance and promote the safety of military aviation through the implementation of a Defence Aviation Safety Program that promotes a generative safety culture and independently assures the effective management of Defence aviation safety risks.

DASA is a complex organisation comprising Headquarters (HQ), the Directorate of Business Support and Governance (DBSG), and six Directorates that provide aviation safety assurance and specialist engineering services to the Defence aviation community.

The organisation has an established workforce of approximately 300 personnel, made up of Australian Public Service (APS) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, based across Melbourne (VIC), Canberra (ACT), and Amberley (QLD).

Our Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will operate effectively at the APS Executive Level 1, applying strategic thinking, sound judgement, and leadership to deliver capability and quality assurance outcomes that support organisational objectives. Working with a high degree of autonomy, they will lead complex work, manage competing priorities, build productive stakeholder relationships, and provide trusted advice and strategic support to the Director and senior executives to inform decision-making and drive organisational performance.

Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate expertise and experience in:

• Demonstrating strategic thinking and sound judgement, translating organisational priorities into effective capability, governance, and assurance outcomes.
• Applying quality management and assurance principles, including quality management systems, audit readiness, compliance activities, and continuous improvement practices.
• Leading capability development, training governance, and frameworks within complex or regulated environments.
• Providing clear, evidence-based advice, reporting, and recommendations to support executive decision-making and organisational outcomes.
• Building productive relationships and influencing internal and external stakeholders, including capability and training providers, to achieve shared outcomes.
• Leading teams and programs of work, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, promoting accountability and continuous improvement, and modelling behaviours consistent with APS Values.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

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