Ben Gardener

What's your job about?

I am a Project Manager at Raytheon Australia, working on a program delivering a modernised and enhanced communication and data network for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

My role requires me to oversee part of the program budget, manage risks, and engage with subcontractors and suppliers. A key outcome of my role is helping to ensure the program team has the resources required to deliver the program on time and on budget.

What's your background?

I grew up in Brisbane. Throughout school, I was sure I wanted to study something related to finance or business at university, and that I wanted a job that enabled me to work independently. I went on to study a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology, majoring in Finance, with an extended major in Empirical Finance. After completing two years at university, I decided to take a six-month break, at which point I secured my first corporate job as a claims consultant at a commercial insurance underwriting agency. Within six months, I moved from handling claims into underwriting, where I soon realised that I really enjoyed working closely with colleagues to solve complex problems and tackle challenges.

While working, I returned to complete my undergraduate degree, and that’s when I applied to Raytheon Australia’s GradX program. I joined the company as a Finance Graduate in late 2021, completing rotations in Project Accounting and Financial Planning and Analysis. In the lead-up to my final rotation, I discussed with my mentor the possibility of transitioning to Project Management. She supported the idea, and in November 2022 I commenced my role as a Project Officer. As a project officer, I had the opportunity to perform the role of Operations Manager within my project team, which provided great insight into how the different teams within the program interacted. In June 2024, I transitioned into my current role of Project Manager.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. At Raytheon Australia, and even within my current program team, project managers possess a wide variety of backgrounds including Engineering, Contracts, and Finance. One of the main skills a Project Manager utilises is problem-solving. Having people with diverse backgrounds and experiences ensures a range of perspectives, which helps when developing solutions to challenges.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job is that I am part of a great team delivering an important capability for the ADF. I like being challenged and enjoy working with my colleagues to solve complex problems while working towards a common end goal.

What are the limitations of your job?

While I enjoy the challenge of problem-solving, it can sometimes be frustrating when I’m faced with a new problem I haven’t previously encountered. When this happens, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to show humility and reach out for help, then work with the team to solve it.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Network more! At university, I was fortunate enough to be provided multiple networking opportunities at various events, however, in hindsight, I underutilised them. The defence industry is big – the more contacts you have the better.
2. Don’t be afraid to take a break to figure things out. If I had not have taken my break from university study, I may have completed my degree, which I wasn’t sure about at the time, with no real plan on what to do next.
3. Start your assignments, or exam study, as early as possible. I would have had a much more enjoyable experience had I worked on university assignments incrementally, rather than at the last minute.