Following matriculation Gordon undertook a Surveying degree at the University of Tasmania. During his professional year he worked in southern Africa, gaining experience in topographical, cadastral and mining surveying.

After completion of his undergraduate qualification Gordon worked for three years in the mining industry in the Pilbara region of WA and also for Renison Limited on the West Coast of Tasmania. Working in these remote areas precipitated a career shift to the Tasmanian Ambulance Service as a Student Ambulance Officer, initially in Launceston and then Hobart. 

After graduating as a Rescue Paramedic Gordon worked in Hobart, and spent some time as an acting Supervisor (Tactical Operations). He was permanently appointed to a Supervisor position in Launceston, and then shortly afterwards was promoted to Manager (Support Services). Gordon held this position for three years, during which time he also temporarily filled the positions of Director of Ambulance Services and Ministerial Adviser. During this time Gordon completed his MBA at the University of Tasmania, including a summer school held in Malaysia.

Gordon resigned from the State Service in 1997 to pursue a career as a small business owner and business manager with a vocational rehabilitation business (Lifestyle Management Systems). In addition to providing a business management function Gordon also undertook management consultancy to small-medium enterprises in domestic and international business development.

In 2004 Gordon took on a full-time role with Mader International Pty Ltd as Business Manager. He was promoted to Assistant General Manager and then General Manager in 2007. In May 2010 Gordon returned to full-time consulting based in Hobart. This move was pre-empted by a desire to travel less!

Gordon has been Principal Consultant of The Imagine Partnership since 1999.