Program Director, Workstream Lead and Project Managers

About Sunstone

Sunstone Advisory Pty Ltd is a Canberra-based professional services firm established in 2019. We deliver complex programs for Defence, Commonwealth agencies and local government, and are a member of the Defence Industry Security Program. We hold positions on four Commonwealth panels, including Digital Marketplace Panel 2 and the Defence ICT Provider Arrangement. Clients include the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs, amongst others.

About the opportunities

Sunstone Advisory is seeking applications from experienced program and project leaders for two opportunities.

The first is a confirmed program leadership role on a Defence digital program in Canberra, starting in December 2026 for 12 months. This role requires a current NV1 clearance.

The second is our tender response to a large, multi-year registry modernisation program at a major Australian Government regulator, for which we are seeking a Program Director, a Workstream Lead and Project Managers. Shortlisted candidates will be nominated in our response with their consent, and engagement depends on the contract being awarded. These roles start in January 2027 for an initial 24 months, with two six-month extensions possible.

Positions are available as full-time employment or contract engagements, with remuneration discussed at interview. We are also building a pool of program and project leaders for current and upcoming programs across Defence, Commonwealth agencies and local government, and welcome applications from across the profession.

The registry roles

Program Director (executive or principal). The Program Director provides overall leadership of the program in support of the Senior Responsible Officer. The role leads execution across several workstreams, brings together business cases, plans and finances, prepares budget submissions, and leads reporting to the program board, steering committee and external assurance bodies. It also builds the capability of the client’s own program leaders.

Workstream Lead (principal). The Workstream Lead reports to the Program Director and leads delivery of a group of related projects, aligning them on scope, sequence and dependencies. The role reports workstream performance to the program board and develops the client’s project managers.

Project Manager (senior). Project Managers report to a Workstream Lead and deliver discrete projects to scope, schedule, budget and quality. They work within the client’s delivery method, which combines waterfall and agile approaches, manage risks, issues and stakeholders, and coach client team members in project practice.

Essential

• Program or project leadership on large government technology programs.

• Program Director: leadership of a multi-year technology and business transformation program of more than 100 people, with accountability for program finance and business cases and engagement with steering committees and external assurance.

• Workstream Lead: leadership of a multi-project workstream in a large technology program.

• Project Manager: project management in iterative technology delivery.

Desirable

• Defence digital program experience (highly regarded for the Defence role).

• Registry, regulator or financial services programs.

• Commonwealth budget and assurance review processes.

• Legacy system modernisation or remediation.

• PRINCE2, PMP or agile delivery certification.

Eligibility and location

You must be an Australian citizen. The registry roles involve PROTECTED information, so you must hold a Baseline clearance or higher, or be eligible for one and pass the client’s suitability assessment before starting. Sunstone will cover the cost of Baseline processing if you are not already cleared, and you will be asked to consent to your date of birth and residential address being provided to the client for security processing.

The Defence role is based in Canberra. The registry roles are on site at client offices in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Traralgon, with core hours falling between 0800 and 1800. Remote work requires client approval. Candidates for the registry roles must be available for interviews and working sessions between 16 and 20 November 2026.

Veterans and benefits

Sunstone actively recruits veterans and treats military service as relevant experience. Our offer includes paid Australian Defence Force Reserve leave, an employee health program through Everlab, a profit share on new business you help secure, ongoing training and coaching, flexible working arrangements and networking opportunities. Benefits vary by engagement type.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Apply through SEEK with your CV and answer the screening questions. Applications close at close of business on Monday 09 November 2026. For enquiries, contact recruitment@sunstoneadvisory.com.au.