Business Development Manager – Naval-EN

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

Job summary

CAE in Canberra is 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.

You will identify opportunities early, shape customer thinking, build trusted relationships across Defence and industry, and lead strategic pursuits through to successful outcomes. You’ll collaborate with local and global teams for long-term growth in Australia and the

Qualifications

• Experience in business development within the Defence sector.
• Understanding Australian Defence acquisition and stakeholder environments.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain senior customer relationships.
• Experience pursuing and securing complex Defence opportunities.
• Strong commercial, strategic and financial acumen.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

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

Defence sector knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

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.