Business Development Manager – Naval

CAE Inc; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ADF Reserve Service Policy

Wellness subsidy

Generous Parental Leave

Employee Share Scheme

Fitness Passport

Insurance Cover

Job summary

CAE Inc. 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 shaping, trusted relationships with Defence and industry, and leading strategic pursuits to successful outcomes.

You’ll work on complex Defence programs and collaborate with domestic and international teams to position CAE for long-term growth in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.

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.

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 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.

Skills

Business development

Capture management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic growth

Commercial acumen

Communication

Independent work

Education

Tertiary qualifications in 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.

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—

Data Privacy

Privacy Statement | CAE As part of our process, we may use AI‑supported tools to help review applications, with human decision‑making at every step. CAE thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only those whose background and experience match the requirements of the role will be contacted.

Welcome to CAE!

As a global leader in Civil Aviation and Defense & Security across 40 countries, we advance together as One CAE, fueled by thousands of passionate individuals operating in a culture where everyone can thrive. We hold ourselves accountable for building an inclusive community at every level, and our comprehensive benefits support you professionally and personally. Together, we are All For shaping a future where safety, sustainability, and inclusivity lead the way. Join us and be part of something bigger—where your impact reaches beyond CAE and helps shape the world of tomorrow.