Head of Digital: Defence

Mid-North NSW location (Relocation Required & Assistance Provided) | Defence Sector | Senior Leadership Position

Your New Company

This is a rare opportunity to join a rapidly growing Australian defence and maritime organisation delivering critical capability programs across Australia and internationally.

Operating in one of Australia's most exciting and resilient industries, the business has built a strong reputation for innovation, engineering excellence and complex project delivery. With continued growth across domestic and international markets, the organisation is investing heavily in its digital capability to support future expansion.

Unlike larger corporate environments, this is a business of doers. Decisions are made quickly, bureaucracy is kept to a minimum, and leaders are empowered to drive meaningful change. You'll have genuine autonomy, visibility across the organisation, and the opportunity to shape how Digital & IT supports a growing and increasingly sophisticated operation.

This role is based in Mid-North, NSW. Our client can only consider candidates who are willing to permanently relocate to the Mid North Coast of NSW. This is not a FIFO, DIDO or primarily remote opportunity.

Your New Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead Digital delivery across the Australian business.

You'll be responsible for ensuring reliable, secure and compliant operations.

This is a leadership role focused on execution, integration and business outcomes rather than hands-on technical delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

- Leading the Digital function across Australian operations




- Driving delivery of approved digital transformation and technology initiatives
- Building high-performing teams through leadership of managers and technical specialists
- Supporting major defence and maritime programs with technology and cybersecurity requirements
- Providing strategic advice to senior executives on delivery risks, priorities and business improvement opportunities
- Driving continuous improvement across systems, tools, processes and ways of working
- Overseeing enterprise platforms including ERP, PLM, MRP and business systems
- Ensuring secure, reliable and high-performing IT services across multiple sites
- Leading cybersecurity governance, compliance and risk management activities
- Managing Digital & IT budgets, vendors and commercial relationships

This position offers broad enterprise exposure and the opportunity to influence business performance across a complex, highly regulated operational environment.

What You Need to Succeed

To be successful, you'll bring a strong blend leadership, operational delivery, cybersecurity governance and stakeholder management experience.

Key requirements include:

- 10+ years' experience in senior leadership positions
- Defence, maritime, aerospace, manufacturing or other highly regulated industries
- DISP, ISO27001, NIST 800-171, CMMC or similar cybersecurity frameworks




- Security compliance, audit management and cyber risk governance
- Experience supporting large-scale operational and project-based environments
- Experience leading enterprise technology environments through managers and functional leaders
- Solid track record delivering outcomes in complex and regulated environments
- Experience overseeing enterprise business systems and operational technology services
- Strong understanding of IT operations, digital delivery, risk and governance
- Demonstrated experience managing vendors, budgets and commercial outcomes
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills

You will be an execution-focused leader who is comfortable taking ownership, driving accountability and delivering tangible outcomes.

Why Relocate?

This is an opportunity to combine a genuine executive leadership role with an enviable coastal lifestyle.

Based in NSW's Mid North Coast, you'll enjoy:

- A thriving coastal community
- Outstanding beaches and outdoor lifestyle
- Significantly reduced commuting times
- Excellent schools and family-friendly amenities
- The opportunity to build a long-term career with a growing national organisation

Please note that relocation is an essential requirement of this position. Applications will only be considered from candidates willing to relocate.

What To Do Now

If you're looking for a senior leadership opportunity where you can genuinely make an impact within a growing defence organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now or send your CV and contact details directly to:

Amy McNulty
? ***********@hays.com.au

amy . mcnulty @ Hays . com . au

📌 Defence: Head of Digital (Sydney)
🏢 Hays Recruitment
📍 Sydney