• Permanent, full-time position
• Hybrid environment across Mackay or Proserpine, QLD
• Collaborate with passionate professionals committed to NRM

The Company

Our client, Reef Catchments Limited is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the sustainable management, protection, and restoration of natural resources in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region of Queensland. Through strong partnerships with Traditional Owners, landholders, government, industry, research institutions and local communities, Reef Catchments delivers place-based, collaborative solutions to environmental challenges. Its work spans waterway and coastal health, biodiversity, pest and weed control, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem restoration - driving resilient outcomes where community, environment and economy can thrive together.

The Role

Reporting to the CEO, the Director Operations, Strategy & Business Development, is responsible for overseeing operations, driving Reef Catchments' strategic direction and business development portfolio, identifying and securing funding opportunities, fostering key partnerships, and ensuring the organisation remains adaptive and forward-looking in response to regional NRM challenges. This role is instrumental in ensuring operational excellence, financial sustainability, influence, and programmatic alignment with Reef Catchments’ long-term goals.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Planning

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the organisation’s strategic and operational business plans to deliver high-impact NRM outcomes.
• Identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities across the NRM landscape, providing strategic advice to the CEO and Board.
• Actively contribute as a senior leader to organisational vision-setting, planning, and continuous improvement.

Business Development and Investment Attraction

• Drive growth by identifying, pursuing, and securing funding opportunities through grants, tenders, and fee-for-service initiatives.
• Develop and negotiate compelling proposals and business cases that integrate communications, data analysis, and economic modelling.
• Oversee proposal coordination and collaborate with internal experts to align investment with strategic goals and regional priorities.

Program Oversight and Project Delivery

• Oversee multiple program streams, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, resourcing, and on-ground delivery
• Maintain alignment between business development efforts and program implementation to maximise environmental, economic, and community outcomes.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and impactful performance reporting to investors, partners, and stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Build and sustain high-level partnerships with government agencies, research institutions, industry, peak bodies, Traditional Owners, and community groups.
• Represent Reef Catchments at key meetings, forums, and events to promote the organisation’s vision, strategy, and capabilities.
• Lead engagement to co-design regionally relevant project concepts and solutions that respond to local needs and investment priorities.

Team Leadership and Culture Building

• Lead, mentor and support a high-performing and collaborative team, fostering an inclusive, values-led workplace.
• Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, performance management, and capability development across direct and indirect reports.
• Ensure clear role clarity, constructive feedback, and professional growth opportunities for all team members.

Governance, Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and investor requirements.
• Champion workplace health and safety, ethical conduct, and Reef Catchments’ core values and behaviours.
• Support organisational governance by providing timely and strategic input to Board and executive processes.

About You

You are driven by purpose, not just process and are motivated by the chance to innovate within the natural resource management space, finding creative ways to connect environmental goals with industry priorities and funding opportunities. Ideally you will come from the NRM and or environmental sectors or bring experience in a purpose driven organisation where you have contributed to sustainable growth and maximised funding and revenue generating opportunities.

You will thrive on wearing many hats and applying your skills and experience across a range of functions and tasks. Additionally, you bring a thoughtful and strategic mindset, balancing big-picture vision with attention to detail. Working autonomously, you take initiative and adapt with resilience in a values-driven, collaborative environment. Above all, you want your work to contribute to a healthier, more resilient landscape in Australia - one that supports both nature and the people who depend on it.

Required Skills and Proficiencies

• Proven leadership experience (10+ years) in natural resource management, environmental science, regional development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, business development, and aligning program delivery with long-term organisational goals.
• Strong track record in securing investment through grants, tenders, and fee-for-service opportunities.
• Experience developing high-quality proposals and business cases, integrating economic modelling, data analysis, and impactful communication.
• Proven ability to lead multi-stream projects, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, delivery, and performance reporting.
• Strong capability in stakeholder engagement across government, industry, research, traditional owners, and community sectors.
• Experience leading co-design processes to develop regionally relevant projects and solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and manage high-performing teams in a values-led and collaborative workplace.
• Familiarity with governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks, including reporting to executive leadership and/or Boards.
• Skilled in using data and storytelling to communicate organisational value, outcomes, and impact.

The Rewards and Culture

Reef Catchments offers a fulfilling career path with excellent work-life balance, including flexible work arrangements, five weeks of annual leave, $2,000 per annum professional development budget for all staff and opportunities for career development. Proud of a culture that values its team, Reef Catchments believes “Our people are our strength.” With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, the organisation builds teams from varied backgrounds, understanding that diverse perspectives and skills are essential for creating resilient ecosystems and an engaged community.