Director of International Growth - Australia

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Director of Growth to lead critical shaping and long-term capture opportunities with Australia, New Zealand and across the AUKUS community. This role offers direct access to senior leadership and a clear path for professional growth, including the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing team. You will lead the campaign to develop, shape, propose, and capture programs in unmanned maritime systems. It is expected that you will build and implement a strategic approach to the problem set. It is a requirement that you are passionate about how maritime superiority can help secure Australian sovereignty and security and understanding the gaps and requirements needed to be closed to achieve this vision.

This position requires the ability to think creatively, navigate intricate requirements, and deliver exceptional results. This position also comes with direct input and access to recommend the deployment of capital to close on requirements and gaps, ahead of need, to deliver capability to Defence, Navy, border forces, Army, and commercial customers at the speed of relevance.

The ideal candidate will have an extensive network in Australia and knowledge of procurement practices. The candidate will have knowledge of accelerated acquisition pathways, and how to increase support for Company capture. Prior military operational and acquisition experience is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Shape, develop and implement a strategic approach to capture a Program of Record to include key hires and team development where required to ensure success.

• Strategic Growth: You must be ready to deliver capability ahead of expectations and drive results.

• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams—including Business Development, Program Management, and Legal—to craft compelling proposals and negotiate favourable contracts.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Develop innovative strategies to address unique challenges in shaping, developing and capturing Programs of Record.

• Compliance Assurance: Ensure adherence to all regulatory and company standards, including ITAR, cybersecurity, and applicable defence and end-user country requirements.

• Leadership Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing insights and recommendations on market entry, contracts, and proposals strategies. Support travel of key company leaders when in the region.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated prior team leadership experience in strategic growth with defence or technology programs – preferably with a 0 to 1 track record.

• Strong knowledge of Australian defence budgeting cycles, acquisition processes, government engagement, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) pathways.

• Exceptional understanding of customer gaps and problem sets.

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and scale a team.

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and negotiation skills. Expectation is to shape, develop and close major defence acquisition Programs

• Creative problem-solving abilities with a focus on delivering strategic solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidate has established relationships at all levels within operators and defence procurement authorities across requirements owners, resource sponsors and acquisition offices.

• The individual will be a self-starter with autonomy and a bias for action.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

• Occasional standing and walking within the office

• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment

• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports

• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies

• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

Benefits

• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success

• Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive private health insurance

• Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays

• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

This role requires the legal right to work in Australia.. Employment may also be subject to applicable security, export control, and government contracting requirements.

If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.