Operations Manager - C-17

CAE Inc; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to make a considerable atp

Generous Parental Leave.

Employee Share Scheme.

Wellness subsidy.

Job summary

CAE is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee Defence sustainment and training programs in Australia. You will act as the primary interface with customers, drive service delivery, and ensure safety, quality, schedule, cost and risk objectives are met across a matrixed organisation.

Based in Australia, this role requires travel to customer sites, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate complex budgets, forecasts and stakeholder management within defence environments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in project, program and customer management.
• 3-5 years with Defence customers, including Commonwealth of Australia.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Ability to obtain NV1 Defence Security Clearance.
• Hybrid work across Defence sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead service delivery across Defence sustainment and training programs, ensuring contractual outcomes are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, acting as a key point of contact for operational matters and service delivery.
• Oversee training centre operations, working closely with maintenance, engineering and training teams to meet performance objectives.
• Manage operational governance including reporting, risk management, KPIs and customer deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, security and quality requirements while promoting a strong safety culture.
• Manage program budgets, revenue performance and operational planning to support successful contract outcomes.

Skills

Project management

Customer management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

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.

Contract Type

Regular

Role Overview

As Operations Manager - Non ASIST Platforms, you will be responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of services across a portfolio of Defence sustainment and training programs. Acting as the primary interface between CAE and our customers, you’ll lead operational delivery, drive customer outcomes, and ensure contract objectives are achieved across safety, quality, schedule, cost, and risk. This role sits within CAE Defence & Security's Air Services Portfolio and plays a critical role in supporting Australian Defence training capability. Working across a matrixed environment, you’ll collaborate with maintenance, engineering, training and functional teams to deliver safe, compliant and high-performing operations while building strong customer relationships and fostering a "best for customer" culture.

Responsibilities

• I lead service delivery across Defence sustainment and training programs, ensuring contractual outcomes are achieved safely and efficiently.
• I build and maintain strong customer relationships, acting as a key point of contact for operational matters and service delivery.
• I oversee training centre operations, working closely with maintenance, engineering and training teams to meet performance objectives.
• I manage operational governance including reporting, risk management, KPIs and customer deliverables.
• I ensure compliance with all safety, security and quality requirements while promoting a strong safety culture.
• I manage program budgets, revenue performance and operational planning to support successful contract outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in project, program and customer management.
• 3-5 years' experience working with Defence customers including Commonwealth of Australia and OEM stakeholders.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Experience managing risk in accordance with ISO 31000 or equivalent frameworks.
• Ability to travel and engage directly with customers and stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Defence Security Clearance.
• Ability to work across our Defence training and operational sites in a hybrid capacity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing complex budgets, forecasts and financial performance.
• Experience with aircraft, simulator, engineering, training or technology-based programs.
• Strong operational leadership capability within matrix organisations.
• Knowledge of Defence sustainment, maintenance or training environments.
• Advanced problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.
• Understanding of forecasting and operational planning processes.

Location

Australia (multiple Defence and training sites as required). We operate a hybrid working approach. Your role will involve occasional interstate travel and customer site visits.

Benefits

• Opportunity to make a considerable impact on Australian defence and security.
• 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 that one of the main requirements to obtain a clearance is Australian Citizenship.

EEO Statement

CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, nationality, colour, 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 [e-mail] if needed.

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