Manager, Defence | Building Surveying

Company Description

With over 35 years of industry experience, McKenzie Group Consulting is one of Australia's most trusted leaders in Building Surveying, Accessibility, and Compliance Management. Founded in Melbourne, we've grown into a national consultancy with offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney - delivering consistent service and local expertise across the country.

As part of the Bureau Veritas Group, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification, we bring a proactive, full-circle approach to service delivery that supports some of Australia's most complex and high-profile construction projects. Our team of over 120 professionals works across a wide range of sectors, delivering trusted expertise and consistent outcomes nationwide.

About the Role

The National Defence Lead is a senior leadership position responsible for guiding the company’s national engagement with the Defence sector. This role is pivotal in driving growth, strengthening strategic relationships, and ensuring the effective delivery of services to Defence clients. Operating at both a strategic and operational level, the position provides oversight of performance, compliance, and risk management while positioning the company as a trusted partner within the Defence industry.

As part of the Bureau Veritas Group, we are supported by specialised partners with extensive experience in the sector, and a proven track record of long-term strategic contracts for Defence. This foundation provides a unique opportunity to leverage established internal networks while also building meaningful new partnerships across the Defence sector. This role offers the chance to build from the ground up, using the strength of our existing relationships within the business to shape a future of trusted Defence engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive financial and commercial performance of Defence sector operations in line with company targets.
• Develop and execute the Defence strategic plan, ensuring accountability for sales performance and sector growth.
• Build, manage, and strengthen key Defence client and stakeholder relationships to position the company as a trusted partner.
• Oversee allocation of technical resources and Defence project delivery, balancing capability, expertise, and commercial expectations.
• Collaborate proactively with General Managers and State Managers to ensure Defence service delivery meets operational and client requirements.
• Identify gaps in Defence-related processes, personnel skills, and training, and implement improvement initiatives to enhance sector capability.
• Contribute to executive recruitment planning to ensure Defence teams are resourced for current and future operational demands.
• Maintain awareness of Defence industry developments, policies, and technical changes, ensuring the company remains aligned with Defence priorities.
• Lead Defence sector risk management across commercial, technical, legal, reputational, and compliance areas, reporting in line with company policy.
• Uphold Defence compliance standards by operating within the company’s QHSE Management System, ensuring ISO 9001 quality, safety, and Defence-specific regulatory requirements are met.
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• Demonstrated technical competence aligned with national Defence responsibilities and business requirements.
• Strong commercial acumen, able to analyse complex information and translate it into effective business strategies.
• Proven leadership qualities, fostering teamwork across diverse personalities and situations while remaining professional and outcome‑focused.
• Excellent priority setting and time management skills, consistently delivering under pressure and meeting commitments.
• Clear and effective communication skills with clients, colleagues, and management, combined with attention to detail to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to manage key stakeholder relationships and build a collaborative team environment consistent with organisational cultural values.
• Solid academic and professional foundation, including a recognised university degree, relevant accreditations, memberships of professional bodies, and extensive local, national, and international management experience.

The Benefits of Working with Us

We offer a competitive salary, work/life balance, and a clear pathway to career progression in a leading global organisation, along with:

• Regular social committee events
• Discounted Health Insurance with Bupa
• Fantastic training and development opportunities, including annual career planning reviews
• Access to Telus Health, our Employee Assistance Program providing 24/7 access to off-site, independent, confidential, professional guidance and counselling
• Access to Coursera, a digital learning platform offering over 7,000 courses in partnership with renowned universities and global corporations
• Mentoring and coaching opportunities
• Salary packaging options
• Access to corporate benefits and discounts through our Employee Benefit Platform, Cliqit
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leave for Cultural Events
• Global Career Mobility Opportunities
• Discounted Health Insurance with Bupa
• Highly competitive salaries

Apply now to join McKenzie Group – a Bureau Veritas Group – and help us create a brighter future for our next generations, shaping a modern society for us all.