Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace)

Be challenged and imagine with us

As the Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace), you will identify and convert commercial opportunities that translate cutting-edge research into tangible outcomes in the defence and aerospace sectors. This role is central to fostering strategic partnerships, driving technology licensing, and enhancing the commercial impact of the University’s innovations.

In this role you will:

• Identify, develop, convert, and license opportunities into new research and commercialisation revenue streams.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with defence industry stakeholders, government, and community partners to enable impactful collaborations.
• Partner closely with academic researchers to guide knowledge exchange and commercialisation pathways, including IP management, contract negotiation, and compliance with defence export controls.
• Promote the University’s research capabilities to enhance our profile and reputation across regional, national, and international defence and aerospace markets.

This 2-year fixed term position is full-time and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal land).

How will you inspire us?

You will have:

• Extensive experience in business development, in the defence and aerospace sectors.
• A proven track record of building strategic partnerships with industry and external stakeholders, ideally within a research or university environment.
• Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively across complex organisations and with academic stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of defence export controls and regulatory frameworks.
• The ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance.

What we offer

The remuneration for this position is from $116,596 to $136,030 + 17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience. 

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

The Research & Innovation (R&I) Division promotes and enhances the University's strong and vibrant research culture by attracting, training, and supporting researchers and industry partnerships to solve real-world challenges.

Knowledge Exchange & Entrepreneurship (KEE) supports industry engagement and manages intellectual property and commercialisation, enhancing research and revenue generation by transferring knowledge, technology, and scientific research from the University to industry partners.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.
• Due to the nature of this role, the successful applicant will be required to undergo further employment and security checks.

Your application:

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below.

1. Postgraduate qualifications or progress towards such qualifications, along with extensive relevant experience or significant relevant experience combined with management expertise or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
2. Proven expertise working within a university or commercial environment in defence and aerospace to achieve strategic objectives and key performance indicators, including generating research and commercialisation income by exploiting strategic partnerships within relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. Defence export controls)
3. Demonstrated ability to build rapport, lead and manage effective relationships with various stakeholders, including industry representatives, funding bodies, and government agencies.
4. Build and manage a pipeline of new business development opportunities while negotiating and closing significant research and commercialisation deals.
5. Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, particularly in conveying complex information and creating high-level presentations, reports and briefings.
6. Understanding of education pathways and professional development needs for veterans and defence personnel.
7. Ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of workplace obligations and experience leading and cultivating practices and behaviours that promote and sustain a safe, healthy, equitable, diverse and respectful workplace. This includes responding appropriately to adverse accidents, incidents, behaviours, issues, reports and similar events. 

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document. This document should not exceed 3 pages.

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au.

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Siobhan Curran, Acting Director, Knowledge Exchange and Entrepreneurship on (02) 4921 6951 or via email at siobhan.curran@newcastle.edu.au  

Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date: Wednesday 16 July at 11.59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do. 

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

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