Finance Business Operations Manager

Lockheed Martin; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Lockheed Martin Australia is seeking a senior finance leader to shape the financial strategy for Australia’s most advanced defence programmes. You will partner with leaders across Australia and the US to drive portfolio growth, cost discipline and delivery in a matrixed environment.

You’ll own short‑ and long‑term financial plans, forecasts and commitments, ensuring robust program cost controls and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Senior finance, business-operations or commercial experience in an engineering, project or program environment (defence highly desirable).
• Experience in delivering complex programs on time, on budget and within contractual risk boundaries.
• Strong cost-management, budgeting, financial analysis, estimating and proposal development skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategic financial leadership: Partner with leaders across Australia and the US to deliver financial insight and support portfolio growth.
• Planning & performance: Own short- and long-term financial plans, forecasts and commitments with risk flags.
• Program finance: Ensure robust cost and schedule controls, forecasting and reporting for all programs.
• Business development & proposals: Collaborate with BD, contracts and engineering to craft sound proposals and contracts.
• Operations ownership and coordination: Align resources and processes across Finance, Controls and Pricing.
• Transformation & continuous improvement: Lead cross-functional initiatives to refine processes and elevate finance capabilities.
• Stakeholder engagement: Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, customers and regulators.
• Team leadership: Coach and develop a high-performing, inclusive team across locations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Proposal development

Negotiation

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

AI prompting tools

Job description

The Opportunity

Eligibility:

Applicants must be Australian citizens and be eligible to obtain and maintain an active Australian Government Defence security clearance at the level required for the position.

Shape the financial strategy for Australia’s most advanced defence programmes.

Why This Matters

You’ll take ownership and translate strategy into real‑world results, driving portfolio growth, cost discipline and delivery for multiple market segments. In a matrixed environment you’ll be a trusted partner to senior leaders, influencing budgets, proposals and commercial outcomes that keep mission‑critical projects on track.

Why You’ll Love It

• Drive the financial strategy of cutting‑edge defence technology that powers Australia’s security.
• Partner with world‑class engineers, suppliers and customers on mission‑critical programs.
• Own cross‑functional initiatives that set new performance benchmarks.
• Join a culture that prizes trust, transparency and belonging while delivering commercial success

What You’ll Do

• Strategic financial leadership: Partner with business area and market segment leaders across Australia and the US, delivering rigorous financial insight, challenging assumptions and supporting portfolio growth.
• Planning & performance: Own short‑and long‑term financial plans, forecasts and commitments; keep performance aligned to objectives and flagging risks early.
• Program finance: Ensure every program in your segment has robust cost and schedule controls, forecasting and reporting, delivering on budgets and contractual commitments.
• Business development & proposals: Collaborate with business development, contracts and engineering teams to craft and negotiate commercially sound proposals, pricing and contracts that win new business.
• Operations ownership and coordination: Task and align resources, priorities and processes across Program Finance, Controls and Pricing for consistent, high‑quality outcomes.
• Transformation & continuous improvement: Lead cross‑functional initiatives that refine processes, embed best practice and elevate the Finance & Business Operations function.
• Stakeholder engagement: Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, customers, partners and regulators, representing the business on financial and commercial matters.
• Team leadership: Coach, develop and motivate a high‑performing, inclusive team that thrives in a matrixed environment.

What We’re Looking For

• Senior finance, business‑operations or commercial experience in an engineering, project or program environment (defence highly desirable).
• Experience in delivering complex programs, and a passion for delivering them on time, on budget and within contractual risk boundaries.
• Strong cost‑management, budgeting, financial analysis, estimating and proposal‑development skills.
• Strategic thinker who translates complex challenges into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communicator, influencer and negotiator, able to resolve issues and secure commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams across multiple locations in a matrixed setting.
• Deep understanding of the interplay between programs, engineering, finance, commercial and support functions.
• Collaborative, inclusive leadership style that builds trust, accountability and belonging.
• Familiarity with AI‑prompting tools for finance applications is a plus.

Don’t meet every requirement?

If you're excited by this opportunity but don't meet every criterion, we'd still love to hear from you. Your skills and experience may be a great fit for this role, or another opportunity within our organisation. and lead the financial strategy that powers Lockheed Martin’s next‑generation defence solutions

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a dynamic organisation, providing stimulating and challenging opportunities with a global team of over 122,000 professionals. We embrace flexibility, so our people can be their best inside and outside of work. As a leader in national security, our innovative and diverse programs create a more secure future for Australia across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains.

Special Requirements

Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Defence Security Clearance and employment may be contingent on the provision of further personal information including citizenship to ensure compliance with international export control legislation and regulations.

Veteran Friendly Workplace

Veterans are encouraged to apply. We highly value the unique skills and experiences that veterans and transitioning service members can contribute to our team. We are proud to be recognised as a Veteran Friendly Employer by the Australian Government.

Equal Opportunity

Lockheed Martin Australia supports Equal Employment Opportunity and values diversity in the workplace by creating a place of employment that is, free of unlawful discrimination and is harassment free, fair, ethical, inclusive, and values the contribution of all its employees. By leveraging our employees’ unique talents and experiences, we will deliver innovative, affordable solutions and unparalleled customer value.

As part of our endeavours to increase participation of Indigenous Australians, we welcome applications from all people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. If you are selected for this role, we would be happy to discuss any adjustments that will help you to be successful.