Commercial Lead

Geoscience Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities.

We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cultures, and to elders past and present.About usGeoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation.

We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia.

We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia.

We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national-scale Earth observation infrastructure and our strong partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation.Geoscience Australia's Earth observation program underpins the delivery of over 170 government programs using data accessed via agreements with a number of international satellite operators.

One of these agreements is the Landsat Program in partnership with the United States Geological Survey.

By collaborating in the Landsat Program, Geoscience Australia has secured Australia's access to more than 40 years of Earth observations from space, the longest continuous space-based record of Earth in existence.The opportunityThe Australian Government announced in 2024 that it will partner with the United States in its flagship Landsat Next Earth satellite program.

Underpinned by new investment of $207.4m over the next 4 years and $38.2m per annum ongoing, Australia will become the first country to join the Landsat 2030 International Partnerships Initiative.Australia's contributions to this partnership will be delivered by Geoscience Australia which include an upgraded Alice Springs satellite ground station, expanded satellite data processing and delivery architectures, and new quality and integrity monitoring systems.Our teamThe Satellite Land Imaging Coordination (SLIC) Branch will be at the forefront of Australia's delivery of the Landsat Next program.

The branch is comprised of a team of highly skilled professionals from a range of disciplines including data science, engineering, programmatics, Earth observations and remote sensing science, quality and technical assurance.Within this branch, the Ground Station Development and Operations team is responsible for the delivery of an upgraded Alice Springs satellite ground station to meet the requirement of the Landsat Next program.

The team is also responsible for operating and maintaining the current in-service Alice Springs satellite ground station.The roleThe Commercial Lead is responsible for supporting the planning and delivery of Geoscience Australia's future satellite ground station to meet the requirements of the Landsat Next satellite mission (and a range of other satellite missions).

The Satellite Ground Commercial Lead reports to the Assistant Director, Ground Station Development within SLIC Branch.

This position is based at Geoscience Australia's Symonston premises in Canberra.

Periodic travel to Alice Springs is required.In this role you will :

• Support the planning, delivery and operation of Geoscience Australia's future satellite ground station capabilities and infrastructure.
• Lead commercial activities including the development of strategies and plans, tender pack development, tender evaluations, the preparation and amendment of contract documents and contract negotiations.
• Provide procurement advice and support to officials and stakeholders on the application and interpretation of Commonwealth Procurement Rules and government procurement policies.
• Develop and maintain relationships within Geoscience Australia, other Commonwealth Agencies and international partners including the United States Geological Survey and NASA.
• Provide ad hoc support to other SLIC projects as required, including commercial activities in support of the Landsat First Nations Engagement Program.
• Support the uplift of business and commercial acumen within SLIC Branch.Desirable skills, knowledge, experience and / or qualifications
• Experience in delivering complex projects in Government and industry.
• Experience with a range of commercial models including performance-based contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead procurement and contract management activities for complex procurements, including the development of artefacts (such as business cases, procurement plans, tender packs, tender evaluation plans, tender evaluation reports, contracts and contract management plans) and managing commercial activities (such as industry briefings, tender evaluation, negotiations and managing contracts).
• Demonstrated knowledge of Commonwealth Procurement Rules and government procurement policies.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of government procurement systems such as AusTender, whole of government procurement panels and the Commonwealth Contracting Suite.
• Demonstrated organisational skills, self-drive and initiative with the ability to influence others to achieve tasks and business objectives.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Formal qualifications in procurement,contract management and commercial law are desirable.What we can offer youWhen you work at Geoscience Australia you will have access to a range of benefits and the opportunity to experience a workplace culture that truly values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.

To learn more about our competitive salary, free onsite parking, generous flexible working arrangements and the role you can play in growing our culture click here.Our cultureOur strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work.

We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress.

Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.To ApplyPlease visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e-Recruit system.

Your application should include :

Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box.

If you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.RecruitabilityRecruitAbility 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 position.

For more information please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677 and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment team on 02 6249 9777 in order to obtain selection documentation.Technical AssistanceIf you require technical assistance, call Human Resources on (02) 6249 9777 or email

If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.

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