Lead Technical Writer: Defence

Excellent opportunity to step in to a lead position Permanent long term career opportunity Excellent collaborative culture and leadership team. Your New CompanyThis is a rare opportunity to step into a genuine leadership role within top tier and innovative defence organisation delivering complex, long-term programs. With a strong and diverse project pipeline, and a collaborative leadership team, this position offers the chance to influence documentation strategy, mentor experienced professionals, and play a key role in project delivery outcomes. You'll join a supportive and high-performing team where leadership is approachable, knowledge-sharing is encouraged, and long-term career development is a genuine focus. Your New RoleAs the Lead Technical Writer, you will move beyond traditional technical writing into a leadership and coordination role. Rather than being heavily hands-on in document creation, you will provide oversight, mentoring and quality assurance across a team of Technical Writers while ensuring documentation activities align with project schedules, milestones and customer deliverables. Working closely with engineering, logistics, project management and key stakeholders, you will consolidate technical publication activities, manage priorities across multiple workstreams and ensure documentation outputs meet the highest standards of quality, compliance and consistency. Key ResponsibilitiesLead and mentor a team of Technical WritersCoordinate technical publication activities across multiple projectsManage documentation schedules, priorities and project deliverablesReview and consolidate complex technical information into customer-ready outputsOversee the development of operator, maintenance and support documentationEnsure publication standards, templates and quality controls are maintainedSupport Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) documentation and planning activitiesProvide project updates, identify risks and manage delivery expectations with stakeholdersSupport proposal and tender activities through technical publication planning and estimationDrive continuous improvement initiatives and promote best practice technical writing methodologiesFoster a collaborative and high-performing team cultureWhat You'll Need to SucceedAustralian Citizenship with existing security clearance being highly preferred.Strong Technical Writing experience within Defence industry.Capability and skills in mentoring, leading or coordinating Technical Writing teamsStrong understanding of technical publication development and document lifecycle managementExperience managing competing priorities, schedules and stakeholder expectationsExperience with large and complex technical documentation setsSound understanding of Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) principlesExperience with S1000D technical publications is highly regarded.Defence logistics and sustainment experienceWhat's in It for You?Leadership opportunity without direct people management complexityLong-term permanent role with exceptional stabilityDiverse and interesting project portfolioStrong pipeline of future work providing genuine career securitySupportive and collaborative management teamHigh level of autonomy and influenceProfessional development and leadership growth opportunitiesAttractive salary package and benefitsFlexible location in Melbourne or AdelaideWhat You Need to Do NowEmail your CV directly to amy.mcnulty@hays.com.au or apply now!