Executive General Manager Property (SES Band 2)

Job no: 493759
Work type: Full Time, Full Time / Part Time
Location: Head Office, Canberra
Classification: Senior Executive Service Band 2

Context

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) was established in 1988 following the passage of the Defence Housing Australia Act 1987 (Cth) to provide adequate and suitable housing for, and housing-related services to, members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families. We remain committed to our purpose of providing housing, and housing related services, to ADF members and their families to support Defence’s operational needs.  

DHA manages an expanding portfolio of housing solutions and provides housing for over 17,200 ADF members and their families, and administers rent allowance for more than 16,000 ADF members and their families in private rental accommodation. DHA provides housing-related services, advising on eligibility, providing posting support, and managing bookings and allocation services for all DHA-provided housing and on-base accommodation to approximately 60,000 ADF members. DHA also manages a range of construction projects, and subdivision developments that can involve complex legal and commercial structures.

To find out more about DHA, please refer to DHA.gov.au or read our latest Annual Report.  

The Role

The Executive General Manager Property (EGMP) leads the Property Group (PG) which brings together critical teams: Development and Construction, Commercial, Marketing & Investors, and Leasing & Acquisitions, who play unique roles and together are responsible for ensuring DHA has the number and type of properties required to meet the needs of Defence members. This includes the way DHA brings properties in and out of the portfolio, including developments, with a focus on commercial analysis and planning.

The EGMP maintains a critical focus on building a sustainable provisioning capability which can be flexible in meeting the needs of the ADF and responsive to evolving market conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, the establishment and development of strategic industry partnerships to structure flexible and varied housing arrangements nationally.

The EGMP is part of DHA’s Executive Group and Investment Committee and provides expert advice in relation to DHA’s provisioning strategy and performance, as well as insight, advice, and support to DHA’s Managing Director and the DHA Board.

The Property Group is responsible for delivering quality properties to meet Defence housing requirements and the EGPM provides strategic leadership overseeing teams responsible for the following key functions:

• Development & Construction – acquiring and developing property sites as well as constructing dwellings that satisfy and fulfil the requirements of DHA’s Corporate objectives and the requirements of Defence.
• Commercial – driving strategic and operational leadership across commercial functions, delivering insights and analysis to inform investment decisions, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Marketing and Investors – leading the marketing and investor support activities for DHA, including generating leads and nurturing investors through to conversation to landlords.
• Leasing and Acquisitions – managing the delivery of the Approved Provisioning Schedule via new leases, lease extensions and retail acquisitions.

All SES roles represent the Australian Public Service (APS) and government externally to stakeholders and are characterised by a high level of accountability for outcomes. How outcomes are delivered is equally as important as the outcome. The Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours that secretaries expect of themselves, the SES, and those that they want to see in leaders at all levels of the APS.  The Charter focuses on behaviours that support modern systems leadership within the construct of the APS Values and Code of Conduct. These behaviours build on the Integrated Leadership System and APS Leadership Capability Framework.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

The EGMP will have:

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles with a property, real estate, or other relevant commercial focus.
• Extensive experience in commercial and/or government financial management.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that drive cost savings and operational efficiency whilst balancing risk.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with industry and stakeholders.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams, and ability to work as a part of a collaborative Executive Leadership Team.
• Strong results-focused delivery approach, ability to solve problems and make decisions quickly and achieve outcomes across both operational and financial ecosystems.
• Extensive experience in managing the development and implementation of programs and approaches to work in a complex, sensitive, and operationally diverse environment.
• An ability to drive broad transformational change while managing organisational risks.
• Outstanding leadership skills in a geographically dispersed context, including driving high performance and the capability of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship skills and experience in engaging with internal and external stakeholders at all levels to explore opportunities and solve complex problems, with the ability to represent DHA at a range of forums.
• Demonstrated conceptual thinking skills and a strategic perspective with the ability to manage competing demands and work to tight deadlines while exercising sound judgement.
• The ability to communicate effectively with all audiences, be articulate and persuasive and capable of guiding negotiations to a point of resolution in a facilitative way.
• Active commitment to the APS Code of Conduct, values, and employment principles with a high level of integrity.

Eligibility Requirements

Employment with DHA is subject to the following conditions:

• Australian Citizenship.
• Security Clearance: The occupant of this position must obtain and retain an AGSVA security clearance to the specified level.
• Probation: A probation period will apply to any new ongoing engagement to the Australian Public Service.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy.

Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. 

Merit Pool Creation

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy, may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months. This merit list or pool may be used to fill other vacancies anywhere in Australia.

For more information, please go to APSC's website -The APS Merit Principle.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Beaumont and Beaumont’s online recruitment system: https://www.beaumontandbeaumont.com.au/11585

Your application should include:

• A written pitch of up to 1000 words which outline your skills and experience and how they align to the advertised role.
• An up-to-date CV

Before applying, please review the Candidate Information Pack and selection criteria. If you have further questions after reviewing the materials or if you need assistance with the application process, please contact Jonathan Beaumont on (02) 6126 4500 or via DHA@beaumontandbeaumont.com.au.

All enquiries will be kept in strict confidence.

Please note, applications close 11:30 PM AEDT 9 November 2025.

View Candidate Pack