Chief Commercial Officer

** The role can be based in either Adelaide or Perth, with comprehensive relocation support and a competitive executive benefits package. **



An exceptional executive opportunity exists for a commercially astute and strategically minded leader to join one of Australia's most significant Defence organisations as Chief Commercial Officer.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this newly established role will be instrumental in shaping the organisation's commercial and supply chain strategy, leading nationally significant negotiations, and driving commercial outcomes that support Australia's long-term Defence and sovereign capability objectives.

This is a career-defining opportunity for a senior commercial executive currently operating within the Defence sector or partnering closely with Defence through major programs, government contracts, strategic alliances, or complex infrastructure projects.


The Opportunity

As Chief Commercial Officer, you will lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide commercial and supply strategy while providing executive leadership across commercial, estimating, bid management and strategic negotiation functions.

You will play a pivotal role in some of Australia's most complex and high-profile Defence initiatives, including major contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and commercial arrangements that support future Defence capability.

Working closely with government stakeholders, Defence customers, international partners and executive leaders, you will ensure commercial frameworks, governance, funding mechanisms and negotiation strategies are aligned to long-term organisational success.


Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute enterprise commercial strategy aligned with organisational objectives
• Lead major contract negotiations and strategic commercial engagements
• Drive supplier performance, strategic partnerships and sovereign industry engagement
• Drive commercial governance, risk management and decision-making frameworks
• Oversee commercial support for large-scale Defence programs and strategic initiatives
• Establish and maintain senior relationships across Defence, government and industry stakeholders
• Provide executive leadership to commercial, supply chain and legal functions
• Guide complex funding, pricing and recovery strategies
• Contribute to enterprise growth, transformation and long-term value creation

About You

You are an accomplished executive leader with a proven track record delivering commercial outcomes within complex Defence, government or highly regulated environments.

You will bring:

• 15+ years' experience in senior commercial leadership roles
• Extensive experience negotiating complex contracts, partnerships and strategic agreements
• Demonstrated success operating within Defence, Defence industry, government programs or organisations supporting Defence capability
• Experience engaging and influencing senior government, Defence and international stakeholders
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic acumen
• Experience developing commercial governance frameworks and enterprise-wide commercial strategy
• Outstanding negotiation, stakeholder management and executive leadership capabilities
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Law or a related discipline (postgraduate qualifications highly regarded)

Why This Role?

This is more than a commercial leadership position.

It is an opportunity to help shape the future of Australia's Defence capability at a critical moment in the nation's history.

You will work alongside an accomplished executive team, influence nationally significant outcomes, and lead commercial activities that have a direct impact on Australia's sovereign Defence future.

For experienced Defence commercial leaders seeking a role of scale, influence and strategic significance, opportunities like this are exceptionally rare.

Applications and confidential enquiries are encouraged from candidates currently working within Defence, Defence industry, major Defence programs, strategic government partnerships, or organisations supporting Defence capability.

To apply please click apply or call Giuseppe Nasca on 08 8216 3508 for a confidential discussion.