Program Manager | Full-time Temporary with a Possibility of Permanency

Closes: 10 August 2026

Classification: Infrastructure Manager/Specialist 1
Salary: $191,177 plus superannuation
Position No: 70571
Directorate: Suburban Land Agency
Advertised (Gazettal date): 27 July 2026
Contact Officer: Rochelle Crowe on Rochelle.Crowe@act.gov.au or 0409906132

Details: Are you a strong Program Manager ready to join Suburban Land Agency, if so we are looking for you.

At the Suburban Land Agency (SLA), we’re passionate about creating vibrant, sustainable communities that people are proud to call home. As a Program Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping Canberra’s future through the delivery of major Greenfield and urban development projects.

Why this role matters

This is more than project delivery — it’s about leading programs that transform places and communities to delivery on government priorities.

Who we’re looking for

A strategic and collaborative leader who thrives in complexity, builds trusted relationships, and delivers results. You bring strong program leadership experience, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for creating places people love.

You will bring to this role strong leadership skills to guide, mentor and develop projects teams. You will oversee a diverse portfolio of development projects, working at the intersection of government, industry, and the community to deliver outcomes that make a real difference. You will be a strategic thinker, one that has the ability to identify, manage and escalate risks to ensure programs are delivered on time.

What you’ll bring to life

• Lead with impact
  Drive the successful delivery of complex development programs from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and community expectations.
• Influence at the highest levels
  Provide trusted advice and high-quality reporting to senior executives, the SLA Board, and the Minister’s Office, helping shape decision-making and direction.
• Inspire high-performing teams
  Build and lead multidisciplinary teams of professionals, consultants, and contractors, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
• Deliver smarter, better outcomes
  Manage timelines, budgets, and risks while identifying opportunities to innovate, improve processes, and maximise value across projects.
• Connect with community and stakeholders
  Engage confidently with government, industry, and the community, representing SLA in public forums and ensuring our developments reflect the needs and aspirations of Canberrans.

What we offer

• The opportunity to lead city-shaping projects that have visible and lasting impact
• A supportive, values-driven workplace aligned with ACT Public Service Values
• Meaningful engagement with government leaders, industry experts, and communities
• A collaborative environment that encourages innovation, leadership, and continuous improvement

Why Join Us?

At SLA, you’ll help shape the places where Canberrans live, work and thrive. You’ll lead meaningful, high‑impact work with a passionate team and play a key role in delivering the Territory’s future communities.

This process may also be used to fill similar temporary or permanent roles in the Place Delivery Group. If you’re found suitable, you’ll join a merit pool. This means we may contact you about other similar opportunities, and you can choose whether to accept—without having to apply again.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

This position requires the occupant to hold recognised qualifications and/or experience in one or more of the following fields:

• Engineering—a four-year degree or higher qualification accredited by Engineers Australia or Professionals Australia for recognition as a Professional Engineer (including recognition of equivalent overseas engineering qualifications) and a minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in engineering.
• Architecture—a three-year degree or higher qualification accredited by an Australian state or territory architecture authority for recognition as a Professional Architect (including recognition of equivalent overseas qualifications) and a minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in architecture.
• Project Management—
  • A Diploma in Project Management accredited by an Australian state or territory tertiary education institution (or an equivalent overseas qualification that is eligible for reciprocal recognition in Australia) and a minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in project management, or
  • Certification by a professional body, such as the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), to the level of Certified Practicing Project Director (CPPD) or Certified Practicing Portfolio Executive (CPPE), in addition to a relevant degree or higher qualification issued by an Australian state or territory tertiary education institution (or an equivalent overseas qualification that is eligible for reciprocal recognition in Australia) and a minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in project management, or
  • At least 10 years’ relevant experience in project management.

Highly Desirable:

The successful candidate will require extensive knowledge and experience in infrastructure project delivery, program and project team management, land development feasibility, high level procurement for design and civil, landscape or built form construction processes.

• Demonstrated strategic leadership that models ACTPS Values, actively fosters a positive and collaborative work environment, and intentionally mentors staff to support growth, wellbeing and the delivery of strategic commitments.

Note: This is a temporary position available immediately for nine months with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or permanency.

A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

This position will be moving to a new workplace designed for activity-based working (ABW). Under ABW arrangements, officers will not have a designated workstation/desk.

How to Apply: Applicants should provide a pitch of not more than two A4 pages, outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role based on the Position Description. A copy of a current curriculum vitae and the contact details of at least two referees are to be provided.

You can find out more about how to provide a pitch here.

Applications should be submitted .

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

#LI-DNI

Note

This is a temporary position available immediately for nine months with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or permanency.