Research and Development Manager
Senior leadership role at the intersection of social ecological systems applied research, First Nations partnership, and regenerative education
Location: Ingham/Forrest Beach QLD + Torres Strait + SE QLD + International | Type: Full time, ongoing | Salary: AUD 90K–105K + super | Level: Senior Executive
Envirotech Education Pty Ltd (RTO 31871; CRICOS 03094J) is part of the Coralz-Envirotech Group, a group of organisations that implement integrated programs in vocational education, applied research, marine and coastal conservation and restoration, and Indigenous led enterprise development across Australia, the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Envirotech Education is the Group's Australian Registered Training Organisation and CRICOS approved provider, delivering vocational education, applied research, community partnered programs on marine and coastal conservation and restoration, and the incubation of First Nations and Indigenous led organisations. We are the sole national provider of the proprietary Marine Habitat Conservation and Restoration accredited course suite (Certificate II to Diploma) and operate a focused portfolio of accredited and non accredited programs in conservation, sustainable operations, aquaculture, leadership, and project management. We operate across mainland Queensland and the Torres Strait Island region, New South Wales, with international partnerships in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, working in long term partnership with communities and corporations. We are seeking a senior Research and Development Manager to lead the next phase of our research and development portfolio, partnership network, and funding pipelines.
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership position. You will report directly to the CEO and operate as a senior leader within Envirotech's leadership architecture. You will:
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Envirotech's research and development strategy, in alignment with our 2026–2030 Business Plan, and our Corporate Social Responsibility framework;
• Design and lead cross sectoral applied research and development programmes that integrate academia, the private sector, government and statutory authorities, NGO/CSO partners, and religious and cultural organisations across Australia, the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East;
• Direct the Group's grants and funding pipeline targeting in excess of AUD 3 million per annum across Commonwealth, State, philanthropic, multilateral, and UN sources;
• Serve as senior staff lead for partnership development and stewardship with First Nations communities, Pacific Island communities, Southeast Asian partners, and Middle Eastern partners, including the negotiation and maintenance of Organisational and Project Agreements;
• Develop and grow the Group's strategic partnerships and programs in Australia, the Pacific (especially Fiji), Southeast Asia (especially the Philippines), and the Middle East (especially Israel), with particular attention to climate adaptation, marine ecosystem conservation and restoration, sustainable food systems, merging knowledge systems, and the circular Blue Economy;
• Integrate applied research outcomes into the RTO accredited training products and lead the co-design and accreditation of existing and new proprietary qualifications;
• Conduct formal organisational representation before government, regulatory, and statutory authorities, including engagement on permits, approvals, ethics review, compliance reporting, intergovernmental fora, and policy consultation;
• Lead the preparation, dissemination, and publication of peer reviewed scientific articles, white papers, technical reports, and policy briefs that demonstrably support decision making and programme development;
• Develop aligned programmes and partnerships across the regions in which the Group operates, including Australia, the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, through collaborative project design, partner coordination, and program implementation with internal staff, partner organisations, and external research collaborators;
• Represent Envirotech in high level forums with Commonwealth and State governments, the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, academic institutions, and Indigenous representative organisations;
• Lead a matrix team of research officers, project coordinators, Indigenous engagement officers, and grants and partnerships staff;
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation and ethics frameworks, including the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance.
You will be based primarily in the Forrest Beach and Ingham area, with regular and substantive project work across far north Queensland, Southeast Queensland, the Torres Strait, the Pacific (especially Fiji), Southeast Asia (especially the Philippines), and the Middle East (especially Israel).
Who We Are Looking For
This role is senior, cross sectoral, and cross cultural. The successful candidate will demonstrate every one of the following essential competencies:
• Bachelor's degree or higher in natural sciences, marine and coastal ecology, aquaculture, conservation biology, or cognate field, with a strong academic record;
• Diploma level (AQF 5) or higher qualification in project management, leadership, or sustainable operations;
• Minimum 7 years' senior post qualification experience leading organisations and applied R&D programs in natural resource management, coastal and marine conservation, education and training and community development, with experience representing organisations before government and regulatory authorities;
• Substantive published record comprising at least 5 peer reviewed publications in ISI or Scopus indexed journals AND authored or co authored white papers, technical reports, policy briefs, or other published contributions that have demonstrably supported decision making and program development, in fields relevant to the role;
• Minimum 5 years' demonstrated direct and formal professional working experience, with co design and co leadership partnership with Indigenous communities and organisations (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Pacific Island);
• Minimum 3 years' operational experience across one or more Pacific Island Countries, at local, national or regional levels, with active professional networks;
• Track record of cumulative grants secured exceeding AUD 1.5 million across multiple awards in relevant fields, including success with Indigenous priority funders;
• Active and current membership of national or international technical bodies, networks, or working groups of recognised international standing;
• Specialist expertise in social ecological systems with documented contribution at regional or global level;
• Demonstrated leadership at the intersection of culture, theology, governance, and the natural environment, with project experience in both Australia and the Pacific;
• Demonstrated cross sectoral programs development in applied research and development across academia, the private sector, government and statutory authorities, NGO/CSO partners, and religious and cultural organisations;
• Professional working English at executive standard, with a significant record of international conference and symposium participation, including invited keynote, plenary, or panel roles, and teaching and tertiary level lecturing experience;
• Right to work in Australia or eligibility to be sponsored under a Standard Business Sponsorship or Designated Area Migration Agreement.
Desirable Criteria
• Professional experience with AI tools, particularly with Claude ecosystem;
• Australian tropical management body experience;
• Experienced SCUBA diver (at least Divemaster);
• Experienced boating with vessel leadership (Coxwain, Skipper, or comparable);
• Willing and able to obtain TAE qualification within 6 months;
• Cultural creative industries experience;
• Direct engagement with UN bodies, and other regional organisations;
• Recognised global or national social innovation outputs;
• Substantive national and international media and thought leadership engagement;
• Multi jurisdictional research and program development administration;
• Capacity to lead Pacific Island programme delivery through frequent travel and partnership engagement;
• Operational experience or active professional networks in Southeast Asian contexts, preferably including the Philippines;
• Operational experience or active professional networks in Middle Eastern contexts, preferably including Israel.
What We Offer
• AUD 90,000 to AUD 105,000 per annum (range) plus statutory superannuation;
• Regional, project, and partnership travel allowances;
• Dedicated professional development budget;
• Senior leadership at the intersection of social ecological systems applied research, First Nations partnership, and regenerative vocational education;
• Substantive engagement with communities and partners in Far North and Southeast Queensland, the Torres Strait region, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and Middle East.
How to Apply
Submit a Cover Letter (max 2 pages), current Curriculum Vitae (max 10 pages), Selection Criteria Response addressing each of the 13 Essential Criteria and each of the 13 Desirable Criteria (max 10 pages), Schedule of Publications and Schedule of Grants, three referees, preferably including one Indigenous Corporation senior manager or director, certified qualifications, and right to work documentation. Applications to be lodged by email only to ********@envirotech.edu.au.
Closing date: 31 May 2026 at 5:00 pm AEST.
Envirotech Education is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disability, and persons of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are warmly encouraged.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters and pay our respects to Elders past and present.