SA executive jobs: Babcock creates new head of engineering role

Defence and aerospace company Babcock Australasia is looking for a head of defence engineering. Read all about it and the state’s other top executive roles on offer.

Soldiers in Babcock's Bell 429 small helicopter.

Defence, resources and government roles lead the list of high-level executive jobs currently on offer in South Australia, with a new role created by Babcock Australasia a sign of the burgeoning defence sector in the state.

BABCOCK – HEAD OF DEFENCE ENGINEERING

Babcock's Bell 429 small helicopter.

Babcock Australasia is looking for a head of defence engineering – a new role at the defence and aerospace firm which has grown to more than 1000 people across Australia and New Zealand.

The role is preferably to be located in Adelaide or Auckland, and will involve oversight of delivering high quality engineering, governance and quality assurance. Babcock operates across sectors including defence, commercial marine, aviation, airports, emergency services, communications and engineering consultancy.

“You will be responsible for ensuring we deliver high quality engineering capability, provide governance, assurance and engineering authority across all engineering and technical activities to ensure alignment with regulatory and customer requirements and develop technical capability and capacity to meet both current and future Defence program needs,’’ the role description says.

LEVETT ENGINEERING – GENERAL MANAGER

Adelaide-based Levett was bought by defence firm Marand Precision Engineering in 2019 and is a world-class component manufacturer.

Reporting to the Marand CEO, the General Manager will set the strategic direction for growth of revenue and capability of the business and drive the delivery of an exceptional end-to-end customer experience.

“Applications are sought from accomplished executives with senior leadership experience preferably from a manufacturing background or an aligned industry such as engineering, defence or aerospace.’’

SHOAL – DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Founded in 2001, Shoal specialises in defence, space, transport and infrastructure.

“Shoal’s core services include Systems Engineering, Capability Design, Decision Support Analytics, Asset Management Systems and Digital Engineering,’’ the company says.

“The Director, Business Development – Defence and Space conceives and leads business development activities in support of the Defence and Space Business Unit. Reporting directly to the Head of Business, the role takes responsibility for driving growth of existing business with existing clients, the creation of new opportunities with existing clients and identifying, developing and converting opportunities with new clients.’’

SAAB – STRATEGY AND CAPTURE MANAGER – MARITIME

With both the future Frigates and Future submarines to be built in Adelaide, it’s not surprising SAAB is gearing up.

“The Strategy and Capture Manager will collaborate with the Strategy and Transformation and Sales and Marketing teams and other internal Maritime stakeholders to develop the key strategic activities required to realise Maritime business goals,’’ the role description says.

Applicants require more than a decade’s experience in a relevant sector.

SANTOS – GENERAL MANAGER PROJECTS, ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER

Workers at Santos’s Gladstone LNG plant.

Santos is growing fast and with a takeover of Oil Search on the cards, could soon be one of Australia’s largest 20 ASX-listed companies.

The Adelaide-based company is after a general manager projects to support “the delivery and improving the performance of the company’s capital project pipeline in collaboration with the corporation and our operating units’’

The company is also looking for an EH & S manager “to identify and provide direction in relation to environment, health, safety and security, compliance and risk management to the company’s operating units’’.

STATE GOVERNMENT – DIRECTOR MINERALS AND ENERGY

This role reports to the deputy chief executive and involves:

“Proactively identifying and facilitating inward investment opportunities that generate sustainable economic growth and employment”, and

“Negotiating, influencing and undertaking negotiations with companies and high-level investors on all aspects of the project to attract that business and investment to South Australia.’’

OZ MINERALS – GROUP MANAGER SOCIAL PERFORMANCE

An OZ Minerals staff member at the Prominent Hill Mine in South Australia

This Adelaide based copper miner is looking for someone who has “Practical experience in identifying, mapping, and working with different social groups, land-connected Indigenous peoples, and associated in-depth knowledge of their protocols’’.

“If the above excites you, and even makes you a little nervous, then we want you to apply! It’s an exciting and transformative time for us; and we need creative, collaborative, and great people like you.’’

ANGLICARE SA – CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Social enterprise Anglicare employs 1800 staff and has more than 400 volunteers, supporting more than 55,000 people each year.

It is looking for a CFO to “play a pivotal role in identifying opportunities for business improvement and development across the organisation to increase efficiencies and cost effectiveness with an eye to driving a positive service culture’’.

BAPTIST CARE SA – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

With the current CEO finishing up a four-year contract term at the end of the year, Baptist care is looking for “an exceptional professional to continue the ongoing success of Baptist Care SA’’.

“Your brief is substantial, including the leadership of an established and effective executive team, who enable the delivery of a diverse array of services (out of home care, disability care, youth education and employment, homelessness and therapeutic support services), assisting the State’s most disadvantaged, championing local issues and connecting with people to provide transition pathways from adversity to opportunity.”

UNITINGSA – CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

This organisation has more than 1000 staff and a turnover of about $100m.

“Reporting to the Chief Executive, this role forms a vital part of the executive team and is responsible for leading, developing and managing the provision of a range of corporate functions, systems and people,’’ the role description says.

“A track record of delivering significant ICT transformation leading to business improvements will also be highly regarded.”

PIRSA – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INDUSTRY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) has responsibility for the prosperity of the state’s primary industries and regions.

“The executive director industry and regional development provides leadership and direction for the division to ensure the strategic deliverables of the regional, industry, policy and forestry business units are met.

“Supporting the chief executive to drive the overall business strategy and drive agency policy and service delivery outcomes, this position will develop and build partnerships across the industry, community sector and State, Local and Federal Governments, identifying opportunities that will support and deliver on PIRSA’s strategic direction, grow the economic contribution of primary industries and agribusiness across regional communities and industry sectors.’’

PIRSA is also looking for a director, communications and marketing.

PROPERTY – CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

William Buck is looking to fill this role for a client which is “a South Australian icon in property development with a diverse portfolio of divisions, all successful and operating with profitable cash flows’’.

“They are searching for a high caliber individual, who will manage overall operations and be responsible for the effective and successful management of staff, productivity, sales and financial operations including improvement strategies within the organisation.’’

DR JONES AND PARTNERS – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

This organisation runs 28 clinics including in private and public hospitals, and with the current CEO retiring after 13 years there is “an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished leader to join a doctor majority owned, Adelaide based radiology practice, with national ties, offering a comprehensive range of diagnostic and interventional radiology services operating at the forefront of technology, innovation and subspecialisation’’.

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

AIB claims to be the market leader for online MBAs in Australia.

“With students located in Australia and across the globe, this progressive business is poised and positioned for future growth. An exciting new position has been created for a versatile executive to join and add value to AIB.’’

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

With current boss Matt Pinnegar moving up to the national body, the LGA is after a new leader.

“The successful candidate will need to be an outstanding negotiator and influencer who has a proven background in operating effectively within a political environment and/or a peak

member-based organisation’’.

LHI RETIREMENT SERVICES – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

This organisation is more than 60 years old and employs more than 400 staff.

The current chief executive is retiring and LHI is looking for “an exceptional executive to lead LHI through its next exciting phase’’.

DELOITTE – MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The professional services firm is on a hiring surge and confident of strong local business over the next few years.

Deloitte is looking for someone with more than 10 years’ experience and “commercial acumen, and with strong stakeholder management, negotiation and decision-making ability’’.

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT – DIRECTOR JUSTICE AND POLICY REFORM

The Justice, Policy and Analytics business unit supports the Attorney-General and Attorney-General’s Department, by providing strategic policy advice and data analysis on justice sector issues.

The unit is looking for a leader to guide “the development and implementation of justice policy, analytics, and legal assistance strategy, grant funding and project priorities’’.