This senior leadership role is responsible for guiding the planning, implementation, and performance of multiple NRM Programs to achieve organisational objectives and deliver strong regional and community outcomes.
This role is suited to a strategic, collaborative leader who can balance complex program delivery
with people leadership, stakeholder engagement, and organisational stewardship in a dynamic NRM environment. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Senior Leadership and Organisational Contribution
- Actively contribute to organisational strategy, planning, and risk management as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Support organisational change initiatives.
- Provide clear, timely advice to the Chief
Executive Officer and senior leaders on program performance, risks, and priorities.
People Leadership and Capability Development
- Manage the employment lifecycle for direct and, where required, indirect reports, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, development, and succession planning.
- Coach and mentor middle managers to strengthen leadership confidence, decision‑making, and people management capability.
- Ensure managers have the tools, training, and support required to lead teams and navigate change effectively.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture aligned with Reef Catchments Core Values and Behaviours.
Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy
- Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with government, industry, research organisations, and community stakeholders.
- Represent Reef Catchments at meetings, events, and forums to advance organisational objectives and partnerships.
Business Development and Funding
- Identify and pursue funding and investment opportunities aligned with strategic objectives.
- Contribute to development, negotiation, and delivery of proposals, funding applications, and program milestones.
First Nations Engagement and Indigenous Participation
- Lead and support Cultural Engagement Officers, including performance management, development, and capability building.
- Own and lead implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Indigenous Participation Plan.
- Ensure culturally safe, consistent, and high‑quality engagement practices are embedded across all programs.
- Support integration of First Nations perspectives into program design, delivery, and organisational decision‑making.
About You
You are a strategic and people‑centred leader with experience overseeing complex programs or
portfolios and delivering outcomes in dynamic, purpose‑driven environments. You bring a strong understanding of program governance, risk, community drivers and expectations and performance, and can balance strategic thinking with practical execution to ensure programs deliver against organisational objectives with regional benefit.
You are an experienced people leader who enjoys developing managers and teams, building
capability, and fostering a high‑performance, and inclusive culture. You lead with clarity and empathy, are confident managing change, and support others to navigate complexity, build confidence, and take accountability for outcomes.
You are comfortable contributing at a senior leadership level and working
collaboratively to shape organisational direction. You are committed to respectful and culturally safe First Nations engagement and understand the importance of embedding consistent, high‑quality engagement practices across programs and teams.
You value strong partnerships and bring sound judgement, integrity, and strong communication skills when working with diverse stakeholders across government, industry, community, and research sectors.
About Reef Catchments
Reef Catchments are the not-for-profit, non-government natural resource management (NRM) organisation for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. We facilitate change and work for long-term solutions to sustain, protect, and improve our region’s natural resources and environment, both now and into the future.
This role provides a rewarding professional career path and considerable work/life balance benefits. We offer a flexible and positive work environment, with an opportunity to enhance and build your skills and experience. Benefits of working with Reef Catchments include:
- Professional development opportunities
- Career progression and succession planning
- 5 weeks annual leave
- Team building activities
- Wellness incentives
- Supportive and collaborative team culture
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated experience as a senior leader in environment, applied science or NRM fields.
- Bachelor of Science or equivalent discipline
- Experience leading and developing managers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong strategic planning, budgeting, and program governance and delivery experience.
- Proven stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability.
- Experience contributing to organisational strategy and executive‑level decision‑making.
- Demonstrated commitment to culturally safe First Nations engagement practices.
- Strong communication and reporting skills, including executive and board reporting.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex organisational environment.
- Current and valid Driver’s Licence.
Desirable but not essential
- Certificate IV Leadership and Management
- Experience in natural resource management, environmental, government or not-for-profit sectors.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter addressing the selection criteria
and about your sections of this advertisement along with a copy of your current, up to date Resume for consideration.
For further information, please contact Human Resources on (07) 4968 4200 or email
careers@reefcatchments.com
Please forward your application to careers@reefcatchments.com by 5pm Monday 27 April 2026.
We are looking to fill this role as soon as possible and will be reviewing and interviewing applications as they arrive. So don’t delay, apply today!
