Chief Digital Officer
EL2
Townsville, QLD
Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full-time
Applications close Sunday 14 December 2025, 11:59pm AEST
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) is a Commonwealth non-corporate entity, and a statutory agency established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Marine Park Act), reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Water. Our objective is the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international community through the care and development of the Marine Park.
Managing a reef roughly the size of Italy demands many skills and talents, so you don't have to be a marine biologist to contribute to our mission. From finance to marketing roles, we have a team almost as diverse as the ecosystem we protect. Our commitment and dedication to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian public have a long-lasting impact, and we are looking for individuals who can bring their unique skills, experience, and knowledge to our high-performing and inclusive organisation.
The Position
We are seeking an experienced Digital leader to join our team. You will be working to protect the Marine Park by taking care of digital innovation, both externally through interactions with customers, partners and suppliers, and internally by collecting and analyzing data, improving efficiency through the use of digital technologies, and transforming the organisation and our culture to enable the Reef Authority to compete successfully in the digital age.
As our Chief Digital Officer you will create a unifying digital vision, energise the Reef Authority around digital possibilities, coordinate digital investments, help to rethink products and processes for the digital age, and provide critical tools and resources. The role will drive appropriate synergies, build a clean technology platform, and foster innovation.
The position leads a team of professionals that deliver Information Technology, Records Management, Spatial and Information/Library Services. As the leader of this team, you will plan, coordinate, direct, and design all operational and strategic activities of the section, as well as provide direction and support for solutions that enhance critical business operations.
The position works closely with decision makers in other sections to identify, recommend, develop, implement and support cost-effective and secure technology solutions for all aspects of the agency. This position is also responsible for the security of agency infrastructure, systems and mobile devices and is the financial delegate for all ICT contracts.
As a member of the Corporate Services Branch leadership team, this role provides executive thought leadership to all branch activities. The Chief Digital Officer brings a bold vision to this group which could include new technology driven service improvements, acquiring new technologies, or investing in innovations that will assist others to consider and implement digital enhancements to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and customer efficacy of services provided to our customers.
About You
* You are a natural problem solver, a strategic thinker, and a strong communicator and negotiator.
* You have the ability to influence at every level, imparting your digital knowledge and skills in a constructive, empowering and collaborative way.
* You enjoy exploring technology and innovation investment opportunities, mobility solutions, data management, and analytics.
* You drive digital innovation and serve as a change agent throughout the organisation and possess the ability to provide strategic direction for information and cyber security across all agency systems, networks, and data holdings.
* You encourage and lead collaboration, knowledge sharing, and digital best practices among partners and colleagues to help establish a robust digital ecosystem.
* You will have a deep understanding of disruptive technologies: social media, mobile, cloud, IoT, analytics, prototyping and agile. You possess the ability to fine-tune approaches to new technology as needed to ensure the agency is investing in the appropriate tools and resources.
* You are able to provide leadership in areas of information, platform, cloud, systems and technologies to assist the Reef Authority in setting and delivering high-quality outcomes and Government priorities.
* You will have extensive experience in service delivery and client service.
* You are able to succeed under pressure and can prioritise and align operational activities to organisational objectives to complete tasks on time and to a high standard.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop, direct and manage strategic and operational plans to achieve agency objectives by fostering innovation, prioritising agency initiatives, and evaluating, developing, deploying and managing current and future systems and infrastructure across the agency.
* Develop, track and control the ICT Strategic Plan, annual operating and capital budgets including the review and approval of agency ICT contracts for digital services, information technology services, and equipment.
* Lead change and direct the development, design, and implementation of new applications/systems and changes to existing applications/systems and software packages including assessing ongoing improvements and the feasibility of system enhancements and identifying emerging information technologies to be assimilated, integrated, and introduced.
* Define, develop and communicate digital strategies, policies, procedures and standards for the agency for acquiring, implementing, and operating agency infrastructure and systems.
* Understand the digital world and make data driven decisions for the Reef Authority that frame the services and equipment choices.
* Design, develop, and maintain the security of the agency's infrastructure, information systems, and mobile devices.
* Participate in strategic and operational governance processes of the agency as a member of the senior management team.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jameelie Fletchett, Chief Operating Officer,
Essential requirements
* Relevant tertiary and/or post graduate qualifications in the information technology and systems field and relevant extensive experience demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and expertise appropriate to the functions of the role.
* Proven leadership in managing a diverse team of IT professionals and delivery of digital transformation projects and solutions for the agency.
Desirable qualifications or equivalent experience
* Previous experience in cyber security in a government setting and knowledge of Australian Government wide IT security policies and requirements, including the Protective Security Policy Framework.
Eligibility
To be eligible for employment, candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.
The position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.
How to apply
Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.
You will be required to prepare a response document ("pitch") in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.
Please prepare a 'pitch', as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:
* how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.
* any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
* how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.
When crafting your response, we encourage you to review 'Cracking the Code' and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website:
Please complete your application online and provide:
* your 'pitch' (as described above and in the position description).
* proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
* a current curriculum vitae (resume)
Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.
PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.
Notes
The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit:
Eligibility
Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:
* Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
* Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
* Evidence of citizenship status.
* Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
* Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
* The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.
* The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.