Natasha Gunning
Sydney,NSW
Summary
I am a committed Defence Industry Business Manager and Maritime Personnel Leader with over 16 years of experience managing people, processes, and operational readiness within both Navy and commercial Defence environments. My career has spanned complex personnel management, workforce coordination, Defence administration systems, and operational support across sea and shore-based platforms. In my current role within industry, I oversee business operations, contract delivery, and stakeholder engagement for Defence clients—ensuring compliance, quality, and efficiency across multiple projects. My military background has instilled a deep understanding of Defence governance, workforce planning, and leadership under pressure, while my civilian experience has sharpened my ability to drive commercial outcomes in a highly regulated environment. I am passionate about aligning people, systems, and strategy to achieve high-performance results and have been consistently recognised for my professionalism, accuracy, and collaborative leadership across both military and civilian teams.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Manager
Ausbright Electrical Solutions
Banksmeadow, NSW
02.2021 - Current
- Built strong stakeholder relationships by serving as the primary liaison between Ausbright and Defence clients, coordinating directly with project leads, contractors, and IT service providers to ensure smooth delivery of services and contract outcomes.
- Maintained accurate personnel and operational records by overseeing HR/payroll processes and compliance documentation, ensuring real-time accuracy across internal systems and alignment with Defence reporting standards.
- Supported business and compliance assurance through coordination of audits, including contributing to integrated management system (IMS) reviews and maintaining readiness across quality, safety, and environmental functions.
- Provided expert account management and security oversight for Defence sites, overseeing access control, contractor compliance, and information security in accordance with project and contractual obligations.
- Facilitated project execution and material readiness in support of Defence infrastructure and upgrade works, ensuring timely coordination of resources, movement of materials, and compliance with site access and work permits.
Personnel Officer
Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Sydney, NSW
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Led all personnel administration and readiness activities during the commissioning of HMAS Sydney, managing the onboarding, posting, and integration of over 180 sailors and officers in accordance with Navy policies and operational schedules.
- Built strong working relationships with command, shore establishments, and supporting units to coordinate personnel transitions, contributing to the ship achieving full operational capability on time.
- Maintained 100% accuracy in personnel records, training compliance, and readiness documentation, successful Departmental Management Audits and post-commissioning assurance activities.
- Provided specialist HR and administrative guidance to divisional staff and command on policies, pay, PMKeyS system use, and entitlement management, improving administrative consistency across departments.
- I/C (In-Charge) of the Ship’s Medical Emergency Team, coordinating rapid response drills and real-time incidents to ensure safety and emergency preparedness while at sea and alongside.
- Served as the ship’s Primary Flight Deck Marshaller, leading the safe launch and recovery of aircraft and maintaining day/night flight operations readiness, including the upkeep of aviation safety equipment and personnel coordination.
- Supported operational flow by managing internal workforce distribution, training schedules, and leave cycles, ensuring effective crewing across departments during high-tempo periods.
- Contributed to the establishment of enduring administrative and aviation support systems onboard, ensuring long-term compliance, safety, and capability sustainment post-commissioning.
Personnel Office Supervisor
Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Penguin, NSW
05.2019 - 12.2019
- Took ownership of all personnel administration duties at HMAS Penguin, ensuring a high standard of service delivery for permanent staff, reservists, and trainees across multiple units.
- Served as the go-to expert for PMKeyS operations—handling leave allocation, career management, postings, and pay entitlements—while consistently upholding Navy HR compliance standards.
- Acted as the liaison between base command, visiting units, and Defence-wide support services, resolving complex personnel issues efficiently and ensuring seamless coordination.
- Mentored and supervised junior administrative team members, promoting best practices in accuracy, timeliness, and customer-centric service.
- Redesigned office workflows (form handling, onboarding, reporting), reducing processing lag and improving overall staff satisfaction.
- Played a central role in personnel-led operations during peak periods—providing reliable throughput and minimal disruption.
- Managed secondary operational functions, including site-wide travel logs, security liaison, and compliance tracking for all base personnel movements.
Operational Deployment, Middle East
Royal Australian Navy
Bahrain
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Operated effectively in a high-tempo tri-service environment, coordinating leave, processing pay and overseas allowances for deployed personnel from Navy, Army, and Air Force units.
- Managed complex administrative tasks including mail services and personnel support, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of entitlements and correspondence under operational conditions.
- Fostered strong international and inter-agency relationships, liaising with allied forces and local Defence contacts to facilitate smooth personnel movements and support services.
- Maintained strict compliance with Defence payroll policies and overseas allowance regulations, ensuring accurate and auditable financial processing during deployment.
- Supported the wellbeing and operational readiness of deployed forces by providing clear communication and reliable administrative support across multi-service contingents.
Ship’s Office, Supervisor
Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Adelaide, NSW
10.2016 - 02.2019
- Supervised daily operations of the Ship’s Office during HMAS Adelaide’s first Indo-Pacific deployment, including participation in the multinational RIMPAC exercise, the largest international maritime warfare exercise.
- Managed personnel administration, records, and operational documentation, ensuring seamless support for over 600 crew members in a high-tempo, multi-national environment.
- Coordinated internal communications, leave schedules, and tasking across departments to maintain shipboard readiness and morale throughout extended operations.
- Acted as a key liaison between the ship’s command, allied units, and shore-based support to facilitate operational planning, compliance, and mission success.
- Ensured compliance with Defence policies and operational protocols, contributing to audit readiness and accurate reporting under dynamic deployment conditions.
- Led a team responsible for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive documents, operational orders, and personnel records during complex multinational engagements.
Team Leader, ADFPAY
Royal Australian Navy
Defence Plaza, NSW
05.2015 - 10.2016
- Led a team responsible for reviewing and verifying Defence payroll reports, ensuring accuracy and timely processing of pay for Australian Defence Force personnel.
- Provided expert guidance, mentorship, and training to junior payroll officers, fostering skill development and improving team performance.
- Served as a key liaison with external stakeholders, including APS agencies and Defence units, to resolve payroll discrepancies and enhance interdepartmental communication.
- Implemented process improvements to streamline payroll verification workflows, reducing errors and enhancing overall efficiency.
- Maintained compliance with Defence pay policies and procedures, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of sensitive personnel information.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives within ADFPAY, contributing to policy reviews and system upgrades to better meet Defence and APS requirements.
Education
Year 12 -
Bomaderry High School
01-2008
Certificate III -
Business Administration
Skills
- Security oversight
- Personnel administration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Quality assurance
- Audit coordination
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Project management
Accomplishments
- Commanding Officers Commendation, HMAS Adelaide
- Australian Defence Medal
- Australian Operations Service Medal
Certification
- Integrated Management System, Lead Auditor Course
- DISP Security Officers Course
- Certificate of Compliance - Sustainable Suppliers Course
Affiliations
- Playing sports
- Overseas Travel
- Renovating
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Business Manager
Ausbright Electrical Solutions
02.2021 - Current
Personnel Officer
Royal Australian Navy
01.2020 - 02.2021
Personnel Office Supervisor
Royal Australian Navy
05.2019 - 12.2019
Operational Deployment, Middle East
Royal Australian Navy
01.2019 - 05.2019
Ship’s Office, Supervisor
Royal Australian Navy
10.2016 - 02.2019
Team Leader, ADFPAY
Royal Australian Navy
05.2015 - 10.2016
Year 12 -
Bomaderry High School
Certificate III -
Business Administration
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