ASC is Australia’s submarine company. We built the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines, sustain them, and are now delivering their Life of Type Extension to increase the boats’ service lives. We have also been selected by the Australian Government to sustain and jointly build the nation’s nuclear-powered submarines – the largest and most complex industrial undertaking in Australia’s history.

Our work is interesting and meaningful, contributing directly to Australia’s national security. We offer rewarding roles that provide the opportunity to grow your career, and the flexibility to balance life and work. A career at ASC is like no other, delivering a deeper purpose we can all be proud of.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Innovation, Strategy & Engagement Manager, the Strategic Innovation Lead plays a pivotal role in driving organisation-wide innovation capability. This role is responsible for fostering a culture that champions experimentation, creative problem-solving, and a forward-thinking innovation mindset.

As a key leader in this space, you will oversee the design, delivery and continuous refinement of innovation programs and frameworks. These initiatives will build practical capability across the organisation, drive meaningful engagement, and deliver measurable outcomes aligned to strategic priorities.

You will act as a central conduit for both internal and external stakeholder engagement, representing the organisation in innovation challenges, partnerships, and collaborative experimentation initiatives. Your ability to connect people, ideas and opportunities will be critical in amplifying impact.

In addition, you will support the development and communication of ASC’s innovation strategy, conducting assessments to identify emerging opportunities and areas for growth. Through strong alignment between strategy and execution, and by leveraging data-driven insights, measurement and reporting, you will help ensure innovation efforts deliver tangible value that aligns to business objectives.

This is a full-time opportunity based at our Osborne site in SA.

Responsibilities

This role sits at the forefront of driving innovation and strategic alignment, enabling the organisation to turn ideas into impactful outcomes.

• Lead the planning and execution of innovation initiatives that uplift organisation-wide capability and drive strategic outcomes.
• Design, deliver and refine innovation frameworks, programs and operating models that enable experimentation, learning and value creation.
• Partner with leaders and stakeholders to identify innovation opportunities, capability gaps and emerging trends aligned to strategic priorities.
• Act as a central coordination point to ensure alignment, integration and successful delivery of innovation initiatives across the business.
• Develop and communicate clear strategic narratives, business cases and engagement approaches that influence decision-making and build alignment.
• Establish success measures and monitor performance, tracking progress, risks, adoption and outcomes to inform continuous improvement.
• Apply assessment tools and strategic frameworks to evaluate organisational maturity, readiness and impact.
• Build innovation capability through coaching, collaboration and partnership (including Learning & Development) to embed an innovation mindset that will enable future readiness.

About you 

This role is well suited to a strategic and forward-thinking professional who thrives on driving innovation and influencing organisation-wide change.

• Relevant tertiary and professional qualifications, such as Engineering, Business, Change Management or Human Centred Design.
• 5+ years’ experience in leading innovation initiatives within a complex organisational across people, process and technology.
• Demonstrated experience in framing problems and opportunities, applying systems thinking and strategic analysis in line with technical and operational constraints.
• Solid understanding of innovation principles, methodologies and tools, and an understanding of how to apply them towards corporate objectives.
• Proven ability to design, mature and deliver business-led innovation initiatives, strategies and plans.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, influence and change leadership skills, enabling adoption and embedding of innovation mindsets.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills in potentially complex and fast-paced situations across all levels of an organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities through application of project management approaches and tools.
• Demonstrable commitment to the end user experience, with exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Eligibility

This role requires a current National Police Clearance and an Australian Defence Security Clearance. Your eligibility for this role is dependent on you obtaining and maintaining such clearance.

To check your eligibility please visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website.

Benefits

• Unique and challenging work with a deeper purpose.
• Flexibility over how, when and where you work for the best work/life balance.
• Up to 10 days additional leave every year so you can rest and recharge.
• Generous parental leave so you can give your family the focus it deserves.
• Subsidised childcare to ease the financial pressure on your family.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives so you can perform at your best at work.
• Professional development opportunities to advance your career.
• A diverse and supportive environment where you can thrive.
• Discounts and exclusive offers from leading Australian brands to help you save.

About ASC

Established in 1985, ASC’s 2,500-plus staff offer a depth of submarine design, project management, supply chain, construction and engineering experience and expertise that is unparalleled in Australia’s defence industry. The company’s work on Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine build and the Collins Class Life of Type Extension takes place in Osborne, South Australia, with sustainment shared across Osborne and Henderson, Western Australia. ASC also plays a leading role in training Royal Australian Navy submariners.

Apply today for a career with a deeper purpose.

Early applications are encouraged as shortlisting may commence immediately.