Caitlyn Bond
Tell us a little about your background.
I started my career in the Royal Australian Navy, as a Navy Supply Officer and attended the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) studying a Bachelor of Business. I then moved into insolvency accounting (corporate and personal) holding accounting positions in both the Australia Public Service and the private sector, but my passion for Defence drew me back into working in the industry. Since then I have worked for numerous Primes across a variety of capabilities.
In recent years, I obtained a Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Project Management from the University of Southern Queensland. My education accompanied by my experience and exposure has enabled me to expand my knowledge base by providing well-rounded practices in business operations, resource management and leadership.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
As a passionate leader the highlight of my career has been guiding, supporting and developing others. I find it incredibly rewarding to navigate complex tasks together and often find the learning is reciprocal which provides an opportunity for me to mature my leadership skills and broaden my technical knowledge.
Tell us about your role.
My current role as Senior Manager, International Trade Compliance is both an enabling and compliance function. We facilitate the efficient, seamless and compliant execution of Northrop Grumman Australia's international business objectives which are underpinned by a series of laws and regulations. Our function collaborates with most areas of the business, including established programs, as well as captures and business development to provide strategic solutions to deliver seamlessly to our customer.
What makes Northrop Grumman Australia special for you?
I hope everyone is as fortunate as me to have the opportunity to work for a company that truly aligns with their values. It makes coming to work each day a pleasure. The culture is very welcoming and provides positive opportunities for development. I arrived at NGA in 2020 and have grown personally and professionally since.
I’m very proud to work in defence industry, it’s a large network that contributes to something that makes a difference. Whether it’s in the sustainment of current capability or introduction of new capabilities that make Australia a safer place to be.
What does Defining Possible mean to you?
Working as a team and drawing on the diverse skills and experience in the business to find compliant and achievable strategies that offer exceptional service and products to our customer is how I ‘Define Possible’ in my role.
What advice would you give someone considering joining Northrop Grumman Australia?
Be confident, be excited and think big. Everybody brings unique perspectives and experience which contribute to shared success and us Defining Possible together.
Never be afraid to ask questions, they spur learning but also invigorate collaborative discussions and fuel innovative and strategic solutions.
What do you do outside work?
I am an avid reader, mostly fiction and the occasional philosophy book. I also love to learn, I have recently started using an app to learn Italian and enjoy getting creative in the kitchen learning how to cook with ingredients I’ve never used before. To clear my mind, I enjoy HIIT workouts, resistance training and long walks, I find I feel more energetic and productive after a workout. I also love to spend time with family and my dogs, I have two Golden Retrievers and a Maltese Shih Tzu.
What is your claim to fame?
Whilst serving in the Royal Australian Navy on Armidale Class Patrol Boats my crew was involved in supporting the filming of Sea Patrol a very successful television program that was even exported overseas.