National Business Development Manager - Defence

Essential requirement: Due to the nature of the defence sector and potential security clearance requirements, applicants must be Australian citizens.

Are you a commercial leader with strong ideas, but limited by layers, legacy systems or being one cog in a much larger machine?

Do you understand how to assess a market, build a go-to-market strategy and turn complex business capability into commercial opportunity?

Are you looking for a role where you can take ownership of a growth space, build something meaningful and leave a genuine legacy inside a business?

Why this role?
This is a genuine build role.

You will not be inheriting a fully formed function. You will be shaping it.

You will have the autonomy to map the market, define the strategy, build the pipeline, influence internal capability and create a new commercial growth channel for the business.

For the right person, growth in this role and within the broader business will only be limited by your commitment, commercial drive and ability to deliver results.

If you are looking for a challenge, want to take ownership of a strategic growth space and are motivated by the chance to leave a legacy inside a business, this is the opportunity.

About the role:

This is a newly created opportunity with a well-established Australian industrial services business that is ready to grow in the defence sector.

The business has the national footprint, technical capability, service network and leadership appetite to pursue defence-related growth. What it now needs is the right person to come in, take ownership of the space, build the strategy and drive commercial outcomes.

You will work across sales, product, engineering, procurement, contracts, compliance, marketing, finance and the national service network to bring the strategy to life.

What you’ll be doing You will:

• Build and execute the defence sector go-to-market strategy.
• Map the Australian defence landscape, including primes, contractors, OEMs, sustainment, MRO and supply chain opportunities.
• Identify where the business can win and what capability is required to compete.
• Build a qualified pipeline of defence-related opportunities.
• Monitor tenders, RFQs, EOIs, supplier registrations and procurement opportunities.
• Support capability briefings, customer presentations, proposals and tender responses.
• Work with internal teams to assess commercial value, pricing, margin, risk and delivery requirements.
• Identify gaps in product, documentation, certification, compliance, supplier readiness and service capability.
• Engage the national network to understand which locations are best placed to support defence-related work.
• Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events, exhibitions and networking opportunities.

What you’ll bring

• Strong business development, strategic account management, product, commercial or go-to-market experience.
• Experience in complex B2B, industrial, technical, government, engineering or major account environments.
• The ability to assess a market and turn opportunity into a practical commercial plan.
• Experience with tenders, RFQs, EOIs, supplier registrations, proposals or capability submissions.
• Strong commercial acumen across value, margin, pricing, pipeline quality and opportunity potential.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders across procurement, commercial, engineering, operations and project teams.
• The ability to understand technical products, customer applications and service-based solutions.
• The ability to influence internally without direct authority.
• Strong planning, reporting and follow-up discipline.
• Willingness to travel locally and interstate as required.

Highly regarded

• Direct defence sector experience will be highly regarded, but is not essential.
• Exposure to defence primes, contractors, OEMs, Tier 1 or Tier 2 suppliers, sustainment, MRO, supplier onboarding, DISP, security requirements, ASDEFCON-style tenders or capability statements would be advantageous.
• Existing relationships in the Australian defence sector would be valuable, but the key requirement is commercial capability, strategic thinking and the drive to build something.

Package

• Base salary: $130,000 - $140,000 + Super
• Car allowance: $20,000
• Bonus: 15.5% of base salary
• Travel: Local and interstate travel required

Apply directly or reach out to Chris Minehan ************ for further details or a confidential discussion.