Conservation Manager
About Muru Mittigar
Muru Mittigar is a Dharug (Aboriginal) organisation and social enterprise based in Western Sydney. We work across Country, culture, employment, training and environmental services, with a strong commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and delivering high-quality outcomes for community, clients and Country.
Our Conservation team delivers conservation, land management, bush regeneration, ecological restoration and related environmental works across Western Sydney and surrounding regions.
We are seeking an experienced Conservation Manager to provide leadership, structure and operational oversight to this important area of the organisation.
About the Role
The Conservation Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Muru Mittigar’s Conservation team, working under the direction of the Operations Manager.
This includes overseeing field teams, managing conservation and land management projects, coordinating staff and resources, maintaining strong client relationships, supporting business development, growing the team’s capability and capacity, identifying new work opportunities, contributing to sales activity, ensuring WHS compliance, managing project budgets, and delivering works safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
The successful candidate will be a practical and capable operator who can lead people, manage contracts, solve operational issues, and maintain commercial discipline while actively contributing to the growth of the Conservation team and its project pipeline.
This advertisement has been refined from the existing Open Spaces Manager position profile, with the role now focused specifically on Conservation team operations, client management, business development and growth.
Key Responsibilities
The Conservation Manager will be responsible for:
- Managing the day-to-day operations of the Conservation team under the direction of the Operations Manager.
- Leading, coaching and supporting Conservation team supervisors, team leaders and team members.
- Managing conservation, bush regeneration, ecological restoration and land management projects.
- Scheduling staff, equipment and resources to meet client and project requirements.
- Ensuring works are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standard.
- Growing the Conservation team’s capability, capacity and project pipeline in line with organisational priorities.
- Actively supporting sales and business development activity, including identifying new opportunities, maintaining client relationships, contributing to proposals and helping secure new work.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, suppliers, partners and stakeholders.
- Understanding contract requirements, job specifications and service level expectations.
- Monitoring project performance, milestones, risks and opportunities.
- Preparing or contributing to quotes, tenders, methodologies and project documentation.
- Managing project budgets, monitoring margins, controlling costs and supporting accurate invoicing.
- Managing staff performance, including regular meetings, feedback, mentoring and performance reviews.
- Ensuring compliance with WHS legislation, policies, SWMS, toolbox talks and site safety requirements.
- Ensuring hazards, incidents, injuries and near misses are reported and addressed promptly.
- Supporting accurate and timely paperwork, reporting and operational documentation.
- Working with the Operations Manager and leadership team to develop a sustainable growth plan for the Conservation team.
- Contributing to operational planning and the broader leadership of Muru Mittigar.
About You
You will be an experienced conservation, land management or natural areas professional who understands how to lead field-based teams and deliver contract outcomes.
You will bring technical credibility, commercial awareness and sound judgement. You will be comfortable dealing with clients, supervising staff, managing schedules, reviewing project performance, supporting sales activity and ensuring safe work practices are embedded across the team.
You will also have extensive knowledge of the Sydney natural environment, including the ecological conditions, vegetation communities and practical land management issues that are particularly relevant to Western Sydney.
You do not need to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply, but you must have a genuine respect for Aboriginal culture, community and connection to Country.
Essential Requirements
The successful applicant will have:
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Diploma or higher qualification in Conservation and Land Management, Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Natural Area Restoration, Environmental Management, Bush Regeneration, Ecology, or a related field
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Minimum 10 years’ leadership experience in conservation, land management, bush regeneration, ecological restoration, natural areas management, environmental operations, or a closely related field,
- Significant relevant experience managing conservation, land management, bush regeneration, natural areas or ecological restoration operations.
- Proven experience leading technical or operational field teams.
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Extensive knowledge of the Sydney natural environment, including local vegetation communities, weed species, native flora and fauna, ecological restoration principles, and the practical challenges of managing natural areas in Western Sydney.
- Strong knowledge of Cumberland Plain Woodland, riparian systems, threatened ecological communities and Western Sydney ecology.
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Demonstrated business development and client management experience, including the ability to maintain strong client relationships, identify new opportunities, contribute to tenders and quotations, and support revenue growth.
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Strong financial acumen, including experience managing project budgets, monitoring margins, controlling costs, supporting accurate invoicing, and delivering work in line with revenue and profitability targets.
- Experience contributing to tenders, quotes, proposals and project methodologies.
- Experience growing a team, developing capability and building a sustainable project pipeline.
- Strong understanding of WHS obligations in outdoor, field-based work environments.
- Proven ability to schedule works, manage resources and deliver projects to agreed standards.
- Experience achieving operational targets, budgets or performance indicators.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Sound computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- High levels of personal accountability and professional judgement.
- Current driver licence.
- White Card, or willingness to obtain.
- Working with Children Check & Police Check, or willingness to obtain.
- First Aid qualification, or willingness to obtain.
Desirable
The following will be highly regarded:
- Experience working with Aboriginal organisations, communities or cultural practitioners
- Knowledge and experience in cultural burns, cultural fire practices, fire ecology, or working alongside Aboriginal cultural practitioners in land management contexts.
- Experience working with councils, government agencies, utilities, infrastructure clients or major landholders.
What We Offer
- A key leadership role in a respected Aboriginal organisation.
- The opportunity to lead practical work that cares for Country.
- A role with genuine operational, commercial and client-facing accountability.
- The opportunity to help grow the Conservation team and expand its project pipeline.
- A strong base of conservation and land management projects.
- A supportive workplace focused on Community, Culture and Capability development.
- Competitive remuneration based on skills and experience.
- Generous salary packaging options
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
Muru Mittigar strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates who meet the requirements of the role to apply.
