Applications closing on 05 March 2026, 05:00 PM
Job TypeFull TimePackage$232,790 - $298,488 TRPPosition Description GORCAPA_Candidate-Briefing-Pack_Director-Operations-Environment.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
Purpose of the Position
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director Operations and Environment provides executive leadership for the Authority's environmental management, ports, land management operations, coastal resilience and strategic and statutory planning functions, ensuring integrated, sustainable, and future-focused outcomes that support statutory obligations, organisational priorities, and long-term resilience.
The role leads the development, implementation, and oversight of environmental and land and marine management strategies, operational programs, and planning frameworks that balance ecosystem protection, climate resilience, community access, and sustainable use of natural assets. This includes translating government priorities and evidence-based analysis into actionable operational and planning decisions, investment-ready strategies, and governance arrangements.
This role leads the Authority's work on climate resilience, including the development of the Regional Coastal Adaptation Plan and work to inform sustainable visitation and land us through the Land Management Strategy.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director contributes to whole-of-organisation leadership, provides authoritative advice to the CEO, Board, and government stakeholders, and leads complex engagement across all levels of government, Traditional Owners, community stakeholders, and delivery partners. The role ensures that environmental, coastal and marine, and planning decisions are consistent with organisational strategy, regulatory frameworks, and community expectations.
Operating with significant autonomy, the Director exercises sound executive judgement within legislative, policy, and governance frameworks, proactively managing strategic, operational, and delivery risks, and escalating complex, sensitive, or high-risk matters to the Chief Executive Officer as required.
Key Accountabilities
Executive Leadership, Strategic Direction and Planning
Provide executive leadership across the Environment, land management Operations, Ports, Climate Resilience and Planning portfolios, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy, government priorities, and statutory obligations.Lead the development and implementation of integrated environmental, coastal, operational, and trails/infrastructure planning strategies that balance service delivery, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and community expectations.Contribute to whole-of-Authority strategy, financial sustainability, and organisational growth as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.Drive innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery models, systems, workforce capability, and planning frameworks to respond to future environmental, operational, and visitor pressures.
Environmental Stewardship and Advocacy
Lead and expand the Authority's environmental advocacy function across the Great Ocean Road coast and parks and more broadly.Embed evidence-based, best practice conservation, environmental management, and planning approaches across land and marine boundaries.Integrate relevant environmental, planning, and strategic instruments, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, into operational and planning initiatives where practical.Provide authoritative, science and evidence-based advice on complex environmental and planning matters requiring expert input.
Traditional Owner Partnership and Biocultural Leadership
Work in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners to identify and embed biocultural objectives that deliver mutually beneficial land, marine, and planning outcomes.Ensure Traditional knowledge informs decision-making frameworks, planning, and operational practicesModel culturally safe, inclusive, and values-based leadership consistent with public sector expectations.
Operational Excellence, Planning and Public Safety
Lead the delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality environmental, land management operations, port services, and planning initiatives across the Great Ocean Road region.Ensure effective planning, governance, and capability to fulfil the Authority's role in emergency management, including preparedness, response, and recovery.Oversee public safety, grounds maintenance, facility management, minor capital works, trail and infrastructure planning, and visitor experience outcomes. Ensure port operations deliver safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible services, including 24-hour operations where required.
Stakeholder, Government and Sector Engagement
Lead complex engagement, negotiation, and relationship management with government agencies, Traditional Owners, community groups, industry, and research partners.Represent the Authority on external forums, committees, and at events to influence outcomes, support planning initiatives, and strengthen the Authority's profile and credibility.Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with research and academic institutions, sector leaders, and planning authorities to position the Authority as a leader in evidence-based practice, planning, and innovation.
Financial, Resource and Contract Management
Oversee the directorate budget, ensuring sound financial management, value for money, and alignment with strategic and planning priorities.Identify and secure grants, external funding, and partnerships to support environmental, planning, and operational initiatives.Lead the implementation and governance of complex public–private partnership agreements and external service delivery arrangements.
Performance, Reporting, Planning and Assurance
Establish and oversee monitoring, evaluation, reporting, planning, and improvement frameworks to inform evidence-based decisions and continuous improvement.Provide high-quality executive briefings, reports, submissions, and presentations to the CEO, Board, Audit and Risk Sub-Committee, and external stakeholders.Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, policies, standards, planning instruments, and Victorian Government requirements.
People Leadership and Capability Development
Lead, manage, and develop a diverse, multidisciplinary workforce, including technical experts, planners, and external consultants.Foster a high-performance culture grounded in organisational values, with a strong focus on safety, accountability, service excellence, and integrated planning.Build leadership and technical capability to meet current and future environmental, operational, and planning challenges.
Environment and Sustainability team
The team delivers both on-the-ground conservation activities and strategic land and marine environmental initiatives to protect and enhance ecological values along the Great Ocean Road coast and parks. Our work encompasses environmental planning, sustainability, climate action, pest plant management, revegetation, ecological monitoring, and research programs, often undertaken in partnership with community groups, Traditional Owners, research and academic institutions, local businesses, and government partners.
Climate Resilience, Statutory and Strategic Planning team
Working collaboratively across the organisation, with the community, and with state and local governments, the team promotes best practice land and marine management to support the long-term sustainability of the Great Ocean Road coast and parks. The team directly leads strategic planning, including coastal adaptation work, to guide the use, development and protection of the coast and parks, while ensuring that all works undertaken by the Authority comply with planning, environmental, cultural heritage, and other relevant legislation, policies, and regulations.
Coastal and National Parks Operation team
Our Coastal and National Parks Operations team deliver integrated land and marine management services including public safety, ranger services, grounds maintenance, facility management, minor capital works across Crown land and National Parks spanning from Point Impossible in Torquay through to Peterborough.
Through active stewardship of the Great Ocean Road coastal and park environments, our rangers support land and marine management outcomes while ensuring the safety, accessibility, and enjoyment of visitors, contributing to a world-leading visitor experience.
Port team
The Ports Management Team provides safe, efficient, and effective management of the local ports at Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell. The team delivers 24-hour port services, including dredging, maintenance and operations, navigation, and permit administration, while ensuring legislative compliance, a safe environment for port users, protection of the marine environment, and upkeep of port assets. They collaborate closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to support effective, coordinated port management.
Key Selection Criteria
Relevant tertiary qualifications in environmental science, natural resource management, planning, engineering, public administration or a related discipline, or equivalent executive experience.Postgraduate or executive-level qualifications (e.g., Master of Public Administration, Master of Environmental Management, MBA) are highly desirable.
Shape Strategic Thinking
Demonstrated experience leading complex environmental, national parks, coastal operations, infrastructure, and planning portfolios within government or similarly regulated environments.Proven ability to think systemically and strategically, translating long-term vision into practical planning, operational, and investment strategies.Strong capability in integrating environmental stewardship, climate resilience, statutory obligations, and community needs into planning and operational decisions.Experience in embedding evidence-based approaches, innovative solutions, and scenario planning across diverse and multidisciplinary functions.
Deliver Results
Demonstrated success delivering major environmental, coastal, operational, and planning programs, projects, or portfolios with high complexity and competing priorities.Strong commercial, financial, and investment acumen, including capital planning, budgeting, business case development, and governance of public–private partnerships.Proven ability to establish and drive robust governance, risk management, and accountability frameworks to achieve strategic and operational outcomes.Experience in monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement, including translating performance insights into actionable planning and operational decisions.
Foster Collaboration
Highly developed stakeholder engagement skills, with a record of influencing outcomes across government, Traditional Owners, community groups, industry partners, and advisory bodies.Proven ability to build trust and credibility with Boards, executive leaders, ministers' offices, planning authorities, and external stakeholders.Exceptional communication and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex environmental, operational, and planning information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.Experience leading partnerships with academic institutions, research bodies, and sector leaders to advance evidence-based practice, innovation, and integrated planning initiatives.
Display Personal Drive and Integrity
Demonstrated people leadership capability, including building, coaching, and sustaining high-performing, multidisciplinary teams with technical and planning expertise.Sound executive judgement, professionalism, and the ability to operate with discretion and confidentiality in sensitive or high-risk situations.Strong alignment with VPS and public sector values, demonstrating ethical leadership, accountability, and integrity in decision-making.Commitment to culturally safe, inclusive, and values-based leadership, including meaningful engagement with Traditional Owners and integration of biocultural planning objectives.
Qualifications And Experience (Optional In Criteria Section)
Professional accreditation or membership with a relevant body (e.g., Planning Institute of Australia, Engineers Australia, Asset Management Council) is desirable.Extensive senior executive experience leading integrated environmental, operational, coastal, and planning portfolios in government or similar regulated environments.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Appointment to this position is subject to the successful applicant being able to:
Provide a National Police Check CertificateObtain a Working with Children CertificateProvide evidence of Australian Work RightsHold a current Australian Driver's Licence.
Peter William Partners have been exclusively retained by GORCAPA to deliver this executive search. Any unsolicited applications will be redirected to Peter William Partners and managed via the campaign. If you experience any difficulty in lodging your application online, please contact info@peterwilliampartners.com.