Location:
Adelaide, SA, AU, 5000 Keswick, SA, AU, 5035 Sydney, NSW, AU, 2000 Abbotsford, VIC, AU, 3067 Barton, ACT, AU, 2600 Henderson, WA, AU, 6166
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Onsite or Hybrid: Hybrid
Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager
About the Role
As the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of strategies that strengthen H&B Defence’s relationships with customers, employees, suppliers, partners and the broader defence community. Your work will ensure stakeholders feel informed, valued and confident in the company’s direction, while also supporting key pursuits that contribute to revenue growth and market expansion. You will oversee strategic campaigns designed to influence public opinion, policy and client perception, while preparing senior leaders for high‑profile engagements and ensuring consistent, aligned messaging across the organisation and its shareholder companies. This role requires a steady hand in managing complex issues, a thoughtful approach to communication in sensitive environments and a commitment to upholding the values that underpin H&B Defence’s mission. You will also play a vital part in fostering a strong safety culture, supporting trade control compliance and contributing to a cohesive, high‑performing team environment.
About You
You bring extensive experience in stakeholder management and a natural ability to build trust, navigate competing priorities and communicate with clarity and purpose. You are analytical, adaptable and confident engaging with individuals at all levels, from internal teams to senior executives and external partners. Your approach is grounded in integrity, respect and accountability, and you understand the importance of discretion when working with sensitive or high‑impact information. You thrive in environments where excellence, safety and precision matter, and you take pride in delivering work that reflects these standards. Your project management skills allow you to juggle multiple priorities with ease, and your strategic mindset ensures that every engagement, message and relationship contributes to the organisation’s broader goals. Above all, you value collaboration, continuous improvement and supporting others to succeed.
To be successful in this position, you will bring;
Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field
Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, or a related discipline
Strong project management capability
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders
Experience with stakeholder management tools
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
Experience with risk communication, including nuclear or radiological contexts
About H&B Defence
H&B Defence Pty Ltd was established in 2024 as a joint venture between HII and Babcock. Together, we bring world leading expertise from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to support the development of critical sovereign capability for Australia’s once in a generation AUKUS nuclear powered submarine program.
H&B Defence is positioned to support every stage of Australia’s optimal pathway under AUKUS Pillar 1, including workforce development, nuclear infrastructure, submarine defueling and decommissioning, nuclear waste management, and long term sustainment, ensuring Australia is ready for Virginia, Astute, and SSN-AUKUS class submarines.
We are committed to building Australian workforce sovereign capability. Come and join our team and work along-side nuclear subject matter experts within H&B Defence in Australia, with significant knowledge of the UK and US Naval Nuclear Eco-system.
Your future with us – what we offer you
Our structured Naval Nuclear mentorship program where you can engage as either a Mentor or Mentee. Our mentors are Nuclear experienced professionals and mentees being new to the Naval Nuclear industry.
Access to Nuclear expertise across UK, US, and embedded Nationally within H&B across Australia
We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career, supported by our capability framework and undertake professional learning and development opportunities
Your wellbeing is supported through our Employee Assistance Program to ensure your wellness includes mind, body and soul.
Job req #73854
The employer for this position is HII.
The H&B Defence Talent Engagement Services are provided by Babcock and they lead all Australian-Based recruitment for H&B Defence, an HII and Babcock joint venture.
When you explore vacancies and register for job alerts you will be directed to a Babcock page
About HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships, submarines, and defence technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
We are a values and ethics driven organisation that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and experience however, due to the defence orientation of this role, the successful candidate must be eligible to obtain an appropriate level of Commonwealth Personnel Security Clearance, as defined in the AGSVA guidelines.
Please note, should your application progress you may be required to complete pre-employment checks. These checks may include but not limited to, reference checks, police check, security check, qualifications and right to work.
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