Defence Senior Contracts Manager – APAC & Global Defence

Location: Australia (preferably Townsville but other locations will be considered)

Employment Type: Full-time (Hybrid/Remote)

About Cubic Defence Australia

Cubic Defence Australia is part of the global Cubic organisation, delivering mission-critical defence technology, training, simulation and operational support solutions. In Australia, Cubic supports Defence customers through advanced training and simulation systems, C4ISR solutions and services that help improve operational readiness and mission success.

About the Role

Cubic Defence Australia is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to lead contracting activity across the APAC region and support global ground and range combat training programs. This senior role will direct contracting actions to win, negotiate, administer and close complex contracts on behalf of Cubic, its affiliates and parent company, with a particular focus on Cubic Defence Australia, Cubic Technologies Singapore, Cubic New Zealand and broader global defence initiatives.

As the key Contracts business partner for Cubic’s senior leadership team across APAC and Global operations, you will provide strategic contractual and commercial advice, manage major systems and services prime contracts and related subcontracts, lead negotiations, support proposal activity and ensure Cubic meets its contractual, legal, regulatory and commercial obligations.

This position routinely exercises significant discretionary and decision-making authority under limited supervision, working closely with Cubic Defence headquarters in San Diego, California.

Key Responsibilities

- Act as the lead Contracts business partner to Cubic’s senior leadership team across APAC and Global defence operations.
- Represent the company in dealings with customer contract and acquisition managers.
- Lead, manage, coach and develop a high-performing contracts team to achieve strategic and operational objectives.
- Direct contracting actions across proposal planning, proposal preparation, evaluation, risk mitigation, negotiation, contract administration and contract closeout.
- Lead negotiations with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure contracts support Cubic’s business objectives.
- Manage complex prime contracts and related subcontracts for major systems, services, hardware, software, installation and maintenance programs.
- Oversee the preparation, negotiation and execution of key subcontracts under assigned prime contracts.
- Provide timely advice to Contracts leadership, Business Development,



Program Management, Engineering, Legal, Cost Estimating and business unit leaders.
- Identify, analyse and communicate contractual, financial, legal and performance risks, and develop practical mitigation plans.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual requirements, export controls, legal obligations and applicable regional and international regulations.
- Manage and negotiate agreements including NDAs, teaming agreements, reseller agreements, consultant agreements, licences, parent company guarantees, memoranda of understanding and similar commercial arrangements.
- Resolve contractual performance matters, including claims, changes, disputes and terminations, with minimal intervention from senior leadership.
- Ensure contract billings, payments, sales orders and contract databases are accurate, complete and maintained in a timely manner.
- Mentor personnel across Program Management, Engineering, Business Development, Quality and Materials in contract law, compliance and process.
- Maintain productive relationships with customers, professional advisers, partners, suppliers and subcontractors.
- Participate as an active member of Cubic Defence’s Contracts Leadership Team and liaise with other Cubic contracts teams as required.

General Responsibilities

- Comply with Cubic’s Quality Management System, security requirements, Human Resources procedures and Occupational Health, Safety and Environment policies.
- Ensure compliance with APAC, other global regional and U.S. export and Global Trade Compliance rules and regulations.
- Support ad-hoc strategic projects and other duties as required by department and senior company leadership.

About You You are a highly experienced contracts professional with proven leadership capability, strong commercial judgement and the confidence to operate in complex defence contracting environments. You bring deep experience in contract formation, negotiation, administration and closeout, and can provide sound, strategic advice to senior leaders while managing competing priorities and high-value obligations.

Essential Requirements

- Degree qualification or equivalent experience in a business-related discipline.




- Knowledge of and experience with the Australian Standard for Defence Contracting, ASDEFCON.
- Eight years plus experience in contracts and subcontracts management.
- Demonstrated leadership ability in contract management for high-value contracts involving complex products, systems, services, development programs, hardware, software, installation and maintenance agreements.
- Strong knowledge of prime contract and subcontract formation and management activities.
- Proven ability to negotiate complex terms, conditions and pricing for major systems.
- Ability to provide practical, commercially sound solutions to a wide variety of contractual challenges.
- Solid financial management, document generation and document control skills.
- High-level negotiation, contract and subcontract management experience.
- Proven ability to manage, motivate and develop people in a team-oriented contracts environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to operate effectively in sensitive, complex and high-stakes situations involving Australian and foreign agencies and commercial customers.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Clearance of NV1.
- You must be an Australian citizen to be eligible for this role.

Desirable Experience

- Experience in international contracts and subcontracts management.
- Experience using SAP or similar enterprise management systems.
- Familiarity with U.K. Defence Conditions, DEFCON.

Why Join Cubic? At Cubic, you will contribute to technology-driven defence solutions that support mission success, operational readiness and the safety of those who serve. You will work with talented teams across Australia and globally, partnering with senior leaders and customers on complex, high-impact defence programs.

Conditions of Employment

- Successful completion of a Police Check.
- You must be an Australian citizen.
- Ability to qualify for and maintain an Australian Government security clearance of NV1.

Apply Now If you are an accomplished contracts leader seeking a senior role with regional and global impact, we invite you to apply and help Cubic continue delivering innovative defence solutions for our customers and partners.

The description above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities and requirements. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change over time according to business needs.

📌 Defence Senior Contracts Manager (Queensland)
🏢 Cubic Defence Australia u0026 NZ
📍 Queensland