Executive Officer - Subtropical Dairy Programme Limited and Regional Manager - Dairy Australia Limited
Location: Within south-east Queensland or northern NSW
Tenure: Full time (One year)
Across Queensland and northern NSW, 360 dairy farmers produce high quality milk every day for over five million people and generate sustainable enterprise profits in tropical and subtropical operating environments. The region's dairy farm and processing sectors continue to be supported by stable returns from growing markets. Subtropical Dairy and Dairy Australia support this region's dairy industry through the delivery of levy funded world class research and farmer services, which are adapted to the unique operating environment of north‐eastern Australia. This position offers the opportunity to be part of an exciting and vibrant industry.
This role incorporates two key duties as the Executive Officer for Subtropical Dairy and Regional Manager for Dairy Australia. The role is accountable to the Board of Subtropical Dairy (Executive Officer), however also has key responsibilities as Regional Manager linked to the delivery of Dairy Australia's mission, strategy and operations, including managing Dairy Australia staff. Four staff (3.2 FTE including this role) operate within the Subtropical Dairy region.
This role will provide strategic and operational leadership, strengthening both organisations' long‐standing reputations. This will require strong capability in governance, finance, revenue generation and project management within an agribusiness or service focused environment. The role will promote a values‐driven culture, high‐quality service delivery and strong relationships with farmers, service providers, stakeholders and government. Executive Officer duties include continuous improvement and ensuring efficient, sustainable operations and sound financial management.
As the Regional Manager for Dairy Australia, this role will manage a high‐performing remote team and provide strong, experienced and contemporary leadership, coaching and support to create an enabling environment and high‐quality team culture. The Regional Manager will actively lead their team to add value by supporting the adoption of desired on‐farm practices, extending the influence of Dairy Australia through farmer networks and successfully partnering across the industry to meet these outcomes. The Regional Manager will support the capability development of the team enabling them to coordinate and deliver industry programs and projects, along with enhancing their engagement with the farming community and industry stakeholders.
Scope:
Dairy Australia provides core operational funding to Subtropical Dairy, including support for regional extension staff. Subtropical Dairy also secures third‐party funding to deliver programs aligned with regional and national priorities.
Through Regional Development Programs (RDPs) such as Subtropical Dairy, Dairy Australia ensures its services reflect industry needs. With a vision to lead a profitable and sustainable dairy sector, Dairy Australia invests in research, innovation, capability development, marketing, policy analysis, market insights and trade development. RDPs deliver services aligned to the strategic priorities of the RDP, Dairy Australia and the Australian Dairy Plan, leveraging regional and national expertise.
Alongside Dairy Australia's services, Subtropical Dairy delivers its own initiatives funded by government and private partners. Key service areas include supporting business's resilience, one‐on‐one farm support, communication platforms and local RD&E.
The Position:
The role reports to the Subtropical Dairy Board of Directors through the Chair and works closely with the Dairy Australia Manager, Regional Services on planning, performance, team management and professional development. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and requires a motivated, self‐directed leader. This is a remote position based in a home office, offered initially as a 12‐month appointment.
Key Responsibilities
* Governance and Compliance (Subtropical Dairy): Undertake duties as Company Secretary; manage financial transactions, prepare end‐of‐year financial statements and audit documentation, and coordinate the Annual General Meeting; provide high‐level executive support to the Board and maintain effective governance frameworks; oversee Board activities, sub‐committees and all project‐related correspondence; monitor project progress and report emerging issues or risks to the Board; implement monitoring and evaluation systems to support Board oversight; represent the organisation at relevant meetings and sector activities.
* Resourcing: Secure external funding for projects and services; build partnerships to attract co‐investment for regional and national farmer initiatives; support the Subtropical Dairy Board to develop a long‐term sustainable revenue strategy; maintain robust processes for identifying and reporting regional farmer priorities; support the Board in developing, reviewing and delivering the regional strategy aligned with Dairy Australia's objectives.
* Team Management and Development: Lead, coach and mentor the Dairy Australia regional team to deliver high‐quality services to farmers and industry stakeholders; foster a strong and collaborative remote team culture; monitor team performance against agreed goals and the Annual Operating Plan (AOP); support professional development needs and promote organisational values and professional conduct.
* Relationship Management: Build trusted and productive relationships with the Subtropical Dairy Board, Dairy Australia, its regional team, farmers, industry groups and service providers; develop and strengthen relationships across Dairy Australia, including national teams and other regional programs; maintain effective partnerships with service providers, researchers, tertiary institutions and regional authorities; represent the RDP professionally in alignment with organisational objectives and Board direction; collaborate with Dairy Australia and the Queensland and NSW governments on RD&E and education initiatives; engage with farmers and service providers to understand pre‐farm‐gate service needs across Queensland and northern NSW; build and maintain the reputations of Subtropical Dairy and Dairy Australia within the regional and national dairy sectors.
* Operations: Develop and deliver the Subtropical Dairy Annual Operating Plan and Budget for the 2026'27 and 2027'28 financial years; contribute regional insights to national Dairy Australia programs and projects; identify and report emerging regional farming issues; manage pre‐farm‐gate service delivery and day‐to‐day business operations, including Dairy Australia staff (3), financial, contractors (2) and project management; prepare, or ensure preparation of, reports for funding bodies; oversee external communications including newsletters, websites and digital channels; report regional reputational risks to the Subtropical Dairy Chair and Manager Regional Services Dairy Australia.
* Project Management: Maintain contracts with investors and contractors; negotiate appropriate project milestones and ensure timely delivery; lead teams in developing and executing project plans; ensure projects meet or exceed investor expectations.
Desirable Capabilities, Qualifications and Experience
* Capabilities
* Strong understanding of corporate governance, financial management and reporting.
* Proven ability to generate revenue through projects and services.
* Demonstrated strategic thinking and leadership capability.
* Ability to provide executive level support to a Board.
* Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including supervising remote teams.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Advanced organisational and administrative capabilities.
* Strong interpersonal, negotiation and stakeholder‐management skills.
* Self‐starter capable of working independently in a remote environment.
* Qualifications and Experience
* Tertiary qualifications (or equivalent experience) in agriculture, commerce, natural resource management or a related field.
* Extensive experience in R&D, agribusiness, extension or education within primary industries.
* Experience in strategic planning and project delivery.
* Significant experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders and building effective networks.
* Understanding of the dairy industry and production systems (highly regarded).
Other requirements
* Australian Residency.
* Regional travel including overnight stays.
If your motivations and skillset align with what you've read, please apply with your CV and Cover Letter.
For enquiries, contact Luke Stock, Chair of Subtropical Dairy, on 0474800245.
#J-18808-Ljbffr