Head of Strategy

Description

The position leads the identification of new market segments, technology partnerships, and business models to enhance Austal’s competitive positioning and profitability, with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region and supporting home market exports through Austal Vietnam and Austal Philippines.

Reporting directly to the EVP Sales & Strategy, this role provides leadership in the formulation, integration, and execution of Austal’s global growth strategy, ensuring alignment between corporate objectives, regional delivery centres and market-facing opportunities.

The Head of Strategy is responsible for shaping and driving Austal’s enterprise-wide strategic agenda across Defence and Commercial Maritime markets — encompassing shipbuilding, sustainment, and technology domains.

• Represent Austal at key industry forums, trade shows, and strategic engagements to enhance brand visibility and thought leadership.
• Drive strategic alignment across Sales, Finance, and Engineering functions.
• Collaborate with Finance and Business Winning teams to refine forecasting methodologies, ensuring accuracy of pWin assessments and revenue projections.
• Support corporate budgeting processes through provision of strategic assumptions and scenario analyses.
• Lead the development and execution of Austal Ltd’s global corporate strategy, integrating Defence and Commercial business priorities with technology roadmaps and innovation pipelines.
• Partner with Delivery Centres (Henderson, Vietnam and Philippines) and General Managers to ensure operational plans, resource models, and financial forecasts align with strategic objectives.
• Partner with Marketing to define Austal’s strategic positioning in Defence and Commercial sectors.
• Develop and maintain technology and product road maps, aligned to market trends, business development and sales needs.
• Drive strategic growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, to strengthen market position and deliver long-term value

Requirements

• Proven experience in corporate or business strategy roles, working within an (ASX200, FTSE250 or Forbes listed business) with exposure to shipbuilding, sustainment, and/or technology-driven initiatives.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Defence, Maritime, or Shipbuilding industries, ideally spanning both Commercial and Government markets.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing growth strategies that integrate market intelligence, innovation, and operational capability.
• Experience in a multinational or matrixed organisational structure.
• Experience in or good understanding of the Defence sector
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical capabilities, adept at identifying and leveraging dual-market opportunities and driving technological innovation.
• Experience in government contracting and complex project environments.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet stringent deadlines while maintaining a focus on both market sectors and technology advancements.
• Strong ethical standards and commitment to integrity, prioritising compliance with all relevant regulations in defence, commercial markets, and technology development.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to evaluate investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Understanding of export control, compliance, and sovereign industrial capability frameworks.

Benefits

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

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance