Australian owned and operated
Rare Senior Leadership position
Purpose driven work leading an established team
Location – Canberra
About the role
Due to retirement, we have a rare opportunity for a General Manager to join our MSP operations. In this role, you will lead our JOINT Systems program of work in a complex Defence-aligned environment, driving delivery, governance, and client outcomes at scale.
Reporting to the Managing Director MSP, you will be accountable for operational delivery, commercial performance, and client satisfaction, while leading an engaged workforce and contributing to broader business strategy.
This role will suit a senior leader who can operate as a trusted peer within the MSP leadership team and lead confidently. If you bring experience leading complex programs, balancing commercial and people outcomes, and contributing to organisational strategy and culture, we encourage you to apply.
What you will be involved with
- Leading a large, multi‑disciplinary program, ensuring delivery against contractual, financial, and performance targets
- Driving strategy execution, aligning broader business objectives and growth priorities
- Building and maintaining senior client relationships across CASG and Defence, acting as the primary point of contact
- Overseeing financial performance, including budget, cost control, and profitability
- Leading governance, risk management, and compliance with operational frameworks
- Developing and enabling high‑performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Identifying growth opportunities and supporting business development, capture, and bid activity
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What we would like from you
- Proven experience leading complex programs or major work packages within Defence or similarly regulated environments
- Strong senior leadership capability with experience building and leading high‑performing teams
- Highly developed client engagement skills, particularly with government stakeholders
- Commercial acumen with experience managing contracts, financial performance, and risk
- Strategic mindset with the ability to deliver outcomes in complex environments
- Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and negotiation skills
Australian Citizenship and the ability to hold or obtain an NV1 clearance
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Life at Nova – it all adds up!
With people being our point of difference, we deliver on promises, reward good work, champion professional growth and support flexibility, all within a diverse and inclusive culture that recognises moments that matter.
Life at Nova is our collection of employee benefits, designed to meet the many and varied needs of our people.
Just a few of the great benefits you will have access to are:
- Generous Parental Leave : Primary Carers receive 20 weeks paid leave; Partner Carers receive 4 weeks. Full superannuation contributions for up to 52 weeks
- Professional and Personal Development : Up to $5,000 per year of allowance with PD leave included. Up to $750 per year can be used towards wellbeing such as a gym membership or assets related to wellbeing activities
- Additional Leave : Ranges from - Reserve, Loyalty, Emergency Services, Purchased (up to 2 weeks), and Community Service
- Flexibility : We promote a culture that encourages and enables flexible ways of working that support our people
- Dress For Your Day : We empower our people to determine their outfit for the activities of the day which allows for personal expression that builds trust
- Reward & Recognition Program : Offering exclusive discounts from hundreds of major retailers, helping you to save on groceries, petrol, holidays, and more
- Employee Assistance Program : for employees and family members
- Annual Nova employee engagement : Great way to connect more broadly and strengthen your internal networks and have some fun!
- Wellbeing Hub with access to health and fitness content
- Access to Defence Health and Travel Insurance
- Free Flu Vaccination annually
- Novated Leasing and Salary Sacrifice
- Nova Employee Company Share Offer
- An inclusive, collaborative, and supportive culture
Social activities throughout the year, we even dress up at times, think Safari – we don’t like to take ourselves too seriously!
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You can view the full range of benefits at https://www.novasystems.com/au/careers/life-at-nova-systems
APPLY NOW
Alternatively for a confidential discussion, please contact Serena, Manager Talent Acquisition in the Nova Talent Acquisition Team on (08) 8252 7100.
Nova Systems does not accept any recruitment agency solicitation.
Nova Systems is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels safe, valued, and included, where our people are our point of difference.
Nova Systems respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters in which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Nova Systems also acknowledges the services of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have contributed to defending Australia and its national interests.
To find out more about our commitment to Reconciliation, please visit our website.
Veteran
Nova Systems is a Veteran Employment Supporter of the Veteran Employment Program. We value the skills Veterans bring and encourage Veterans and Defence partners to apply. Nova supports our Veterans through reserve leave and top-up pay entitlements. No need to tailor the use of Defence language in your resume, we prefer to see this however, please let us know if you need support with your application. We also ensure all applications receive a response and feedback when appropriate.
ITAR
As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian Citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an appropriate clearance. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. To learn more, please visit: www.defence.gov.au/security/clearances
NOVA SYSTEMS
Nova Systems is Australia’s largest privately-owned Defence company with global reach. We are leaders in capability assurance and systems integration solving complex challenges in innovative ways.
We are relied on to develop and test capabilities critical to national security and safety. We are trusted to integrate mission systems solutions and develop software and products that protect lives every day.
For 25 years, Nova has brought a different perspective. From national Defence and essential services to border control and cyber security, these are the challenges we partner with our clients to anticipate, understand, and solve. We have strategically located offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, and Singapore.
But what makes Nova Systems truly unique, is our people. Nova Systems is where the best and brightest minds come together to challenge, collaborate, and innovate. At Nova Systems, we see things differently.
