Business Development Manager

About the Opportunity

We are looking for Expressions of Interests for an upcoming Business Development Manager role for In Service Support. This is a pivotal role within our organisation and is primarily responsible for identifying, developing and securing new sustainment and through-life support opportunities across both Defence and Commercial maritime markets.

This role supports the expansion of Austal’s maintenance, overhaul, repair, and upgrade business, generating work for Austal’s delivery centres in Henderson, Darwin, Cairns, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and supporting fly-away teams and customer-specific maintenance programs delivered at client or third-party sites.

About Austal

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at austal.com/ssa

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities for maritime sustainment and maintenance, overhaul, repair and upgrade programs across Defence and Commercial sectors.
• Drive work into Austal’s sustainment facilities which may include Henderson, Darwin, Cairns, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
• Build and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline aligned with Austal’s operational capacity and strategic objectives.
• Share and communicate the revenue pipeline and forecast with Head of BD (INDOPAC) and EGM In-Service Support
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with key Defence, government, and commercial maritime customers.
• Engage with fleet operators, program offices, and vessel owners to identify upcoming maintenance and upgrade needs.
• Act as a central point of contact between customers and the Austal sustainment network to ensure continuity of service and customer satisfaction.
• In collaboration with the Business Winning team, lead the preparation and submission of tenders, proposals, and quotations for sustainment projects.
• Collaborate closely with the In-Service Support, Business Winning, and Engineering teams to shape competitive and deliverable bids.
• Apply commercial and pricing strategies to improve win probability (pWin) and profitability.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of regional sustainment markets, competitor capabilities, and customer trends.
• Provide insights to the Head of BD (INDOPAC) and EGM In-Service Support to inform strategic planning and investment decisions.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, platforms, and sustainment frameworks across Indo-Pacific Defence and Commercial fleets.
• Develop new revenue streams by promoting Austal’s fly-away maintenance and field service teams to regional and international customers.
• Support the planning and commercialisation of tailored, on-site service solutions, including major refit and upgrade packages.
• Work closely with regional delivery centres (Henderson, Vietnam, Philippines) to ensure opportunities align with capability, workforce planning, and facility utilisation.
• Support joint business reviews between Sales, In-Service Support, and Operations to maintain shared visibility of the sustainment pipeline.
• Contribute to the long-term sustainment growth plan, including diversification across customer types, vessel classes, and service tiers.
• Assist in developing business cases and investment proposals for capability expansion in sustainment and life-extension programs.
• Support accurate sales forecasting, revenue planning, and pWin tracking.

You’ll Need 

Essential

•  8–10 years’ experience in maritime sustainment, ship repair, or lifecycle support business development.
• Proven ability to secure and deliver maintenance, overhaul, repair, and upgrade or through-life support contracts.
• Strong understanding of Defence and Commercial sustainment frameworks, including performance-based contracting and availability models.
• Demonstrated capability to develop customer and industry relationships across multiple markets and jurisdictions.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional bid teams and developing commercial proposals.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.

Desirable

• Prior experience engaging with Australian Defence Force and/or Australian Border Force sustainment programs or international naval customers.
• Understanding of Commonwealth sustainment and procurement frameworks, DISP, and export control regulations.
• Familiarity with Indo-Pacific maritime markets, including regional fleet maintenance networks.
• Experience in a matrixed, multinational organisation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Commerce, or related discipline.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia