Business Development Manager - Naval

CAE; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ADF Reserve Service Policy

Wellness subsidy

Generous Parental Leave

Job summary

CAE is seeking a Business Development Manager - Maritime to drive growth across Australia's Defence market, focusing on maritime and integrated training opportunities. The role emphasizes early opportunity identification, shaping customer thinking, and building trusted relationships with Defence and industry partners.

You will lead cross-functional capture teams, collaborate with local and global colleagues, and position CAE for long‑term growth in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.

Qualifications

• Business development or capture management experience within Defence.
• Strong understanding of Australian Defence acquisitions and stakeholder environments.
• Proven track record in building senior customer and industry relationships.
• Experience pursuing and securing complex Defence opportunities.
• Strong commercial, strategic and financial acumen.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently, drive outcomes and navigate ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic business development and capture activities across Defence and Government customers.
• Identify, qualify and shape opportunities before formal procurement activities commence.
• Develop and maintain senior relationships across Defence, industry and government stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional capture teams to develop winning strategies and competitive solutions.
• Work with domestic and international teams to leverage CAE's global capabilities.
• Influence customer requirements, acquisition strategies and program approaches through market insight.
• Support growth of CAE's integrated training and mission capability portfolio across Defence domains.
• Represent CAE at industry events and strategic planning activities.

Skills

Business development

Capture management

Strategic growth

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualifications (Business/Engineering/Defence Studies)

Job description

About CAE

At CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, we've driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies, we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Join a purpose-driven organisation where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration drives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Business Development Manager - Maritime to drive growth across Australia's Defence market, with a focus on maritime and integrated training opportunities.

This is not a traditional sales role. We're looking for someone who can identify opportunities early, shape customer thinking, build trusted relationships across Defence and industry, and lead strategic pursuits through to successful outcomes. You'll work across complex Defence programs, collaborate with local and global teams, and help position CAE for long-term growth in Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Description

• Lead strategic business development and capture activities across Defence and Government customers.


• Identify, qualify and shape opportunities before formal procurement activities commence.


• Develop and maintain senior relationships across Defence, industry and government stakeholders.


• Lead cross-functional capture teams to develop winning strategies and competitive solutions.


• Work closely with domestic and international teams to leverage CAE's global capabilities and expertise.


• Influence customer requirements, acquisition strategies and program approaches through credible engagement and market insight.


• Support the growth of CAE's integrated training and mission capability portfolio across multiple Defence domains.


• Represent CAE at industry events, customer engagements and strategic planning activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated business development, capture management or strategic growth experience within the Defence sector.


• Strong understanding of Australian Defence acquisition, capability development and stakeholder environments.


• Proven experience developing and maintaining senior customer and industry relationships.


• Experience pursuing and securing complex Defence opportunities.


• Strong commercial, strategic and financial acumen.


• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.


• Ability to work independently, drive outcomes and navigate ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Operational military, warfare or Defence industry experience.


• Experience working across maritime, joint or multi-domain Defence programs.


• Established networks within the Australian Defence community.


• Experience selling or capturing integrated Defence solutions rather than standalone products or services.


• Experience collaborating across international teams and stakeholders.


• Experience supporting major Defence bids, proposals or acquisition programs.


• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Engineering, Defence Studies or a related discipline.

Location

• Canberra, ACT preferred.


• Sydney, NSW will also be considered.


• Flexible travel requirements aligned to customer and business needs.

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape Australia's future Defence capability.


• Exposure to strategic Defence programs across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.


• Exciting career paths in a truly global business.


• Access to a generous ADF Reserve Service Policy.


• Wellness subsidy.


• Generous Parental Leave.


• Employee Share Scheme.


• Fitness Passport.


• Insurance Cover.


• …and more.

Security requirements

As the Australian Department of Defence is a major client, you must be eligible to obtain a Defence Security Clearance to work in this role - please be mindful to obtain a clearance, one of the main requirements is you must be an Australian Citizen.

Position Type

Regular

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, nationality, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, age, or other characteristics protected by law. We encourage applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available-contact your recruiter or email CAECarriere