Senior Project Manager

At Coras, we fuse expertise with humanity, rigor with creativity and innovation with curiosity. At the core of our business is the belief that a diversity of perspectives is the key to new thinking. That’s why our team brings together deep industry experience with some of the brightest young minds in Australia. Our values are more than just words on an email signature; we’re driven by an ethos that inspires and governs everything we do.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and trusted Senior Project Manager to join our Maritime Capability team in Sydney to lead a multi-disciplinary team delivering to a Fleet Command client. You will be accountable for contributing to the delivery of a structured, repeatable campaign of maritime events on behalf of Navy — ensuring professional rigour, operational credibility, and measurable outcomes.

This is not just a generic project management role. You will lead an established team delivering a live project that applies:

• ADF Joint Operational Planning 
• Exercise design and EXCON delivery (ADFP 7.0.3)
• Operational Analysis methodologies
• Tactical development and innovation frameworks

Key Responsibilities

As Coras Team Lead, you will:

• Lead and direct a multi-disciplinary team (planners, analysts, engineers, technical SMEs)
• Lead the application of ADF operational planning methodology to design and deliver maritime wargame events
• Oversee development of Exercise Scoping Documents, Exercise Concept Documents, Instructions, MELs and Post Activity Reports
• Ensure analytical integrity and quality of evidence collection
• Build and maintain strong relationships across ADF, APS, DSTG and Defence industry to support project integration and decision-making.
• Uphold high standards of Defence writing and professional communication
• Develop and drive delivery performance of project plans, schedules, governance frameworks and reporting products.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement within the Maritime Capability segment and across Coras.

Our Ideal Candidate

You will thrive in complex, high-tempo environments and bring a blend of project leadership, Defence experience and strong interpersonal capability. You apply structure and critical thinking to ambiguous problems, communicate with clarity and confidence, and build trusted relationships across Defence and industry.

This role could suit those with experience including Joint Operations Planner, Warfare Commander or Principal Warfare Officer, Air or Maritime Warfare Centre planner, or Senior Operations Analysts with experience delivering exercises.

Required skills and attributes include:

• Demonstrated experience in ADF operational planning
• Experience designing or delivering major exercises or wargames
• Strong Defence writing capability (briefs, EXCON products, PARs)
• Experience leading professional teams in Defence environments
• Ability to operate confidently with senior military and APS stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to distil complex technical, operational or strategic information into clear insights.
• Current NV1 or higher AGSVA Security Clearance (or ability to obtain).

Desirable attributes:

• Familiarity with Defence project management and capability frameworks.
• Prior experience as a Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) or Maritime Warfare Officer - particularly where this includes operational planning, training system development or strategic decision-support.
• Prior experience working within Navy/Maritime domain
• Postgraduate military education (e.g. PSC(J), War College, or equivalent)

Why join Coras?

Coras prides itself on being a management consultancy with a difference. Underpinned by our core values, we are trailblazers for innovative consulting models and strategic solutions. As a result, we have built a culture that has our people’s aspirations, development and wellbeing front and centre.

Some of our employee benefits include:

• Well defined pathway for advancement
• Access to SME coaches to support your development
• Paid parental leave provisions
• Access to external and internal training, including a consulting skills program
• An additional 5 days per year of professional development leave
• Whole of company annual conference
• The opportunity to work with like-minded people on exciting projects
• Access to our Employee Assistance Provider