Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

is now recruiting for

Executive Director, Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage

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Applications close midnight, Tuesday 4th August 2026

About the Role

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Our department recognises the enormous value a clean environment, innovative society and visitor economy, and vibrant culture contributes to our lives.

As a diverse organisation, the department brings together key areas of work to achieve our objectives for a better Queensland.

By being effective leaders and partners in managing, protecting and restoring Queensland’s natural environment and heritage, we help ensure the health and prosperity of current and future generations.

A summary of the department’s objectives and key strategies to achieve these outcomes is outlined in the department’s strategic plan.

Overview

Organisational Chart

Role Purpose

Executive Director, Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage

Download Position Description

The Environment and Heritage Policy and Programs (EHPP) division develops and coordinates the government’s environment and conservation policy, strategy, legislative frameworks and delivers key government strategic environment and conservation programs, including the protection of the Great Barrier Reef by reducing Queensland’s contribution to climate change, improving water quality, investing in land restoration and repair, and supporting delivery of initiatives such as the Land and Sea Ranger Program that provides important services like monitoring of threatened species and water quality, and cultural heritage site protection.

The Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage is a whole of government office that is responsible for coordinating and implementing the Queensland Government’s Reef strategies and programs and delivering on the Queensland Government's obligations in relation to World Heritage Areas in Queensland.

As the Executive Director, Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage, you will be responsible for leading and overseeing implementation of these strategies and programs, including actions under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan) and the Reef 2050 Catchment Water Quality Strategy, through a strong and consultative partnership approach with multiple levels of government, key industry and community stakeholders, and Traditional Owners.

You will also be responsible for ensuring delivery of the Queensland Government’s obligations under the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Commonwealth for K’gari (Fraser Island), Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh section) and Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Queensland section) World Heritage Areas.

A key responsibility of the position and branch is to develop and foster strong relationships to build confidence across government and with stakeholders and Traditional Owners and establish collaborative relationships with the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to achieve its objectives.

The Role

As the Executive Director, Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage, you will:

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of a significant and complex whole of government work program, ensuring timely outputs in accordance with ministerial and cabinet timeframes.
Provide expert strategic advice, support, information and guidance to the Minister, ministerial advisors, Director General, and senior leaders across government on key policy, planning and project issues relevant to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage sites.
Provide effective high level departmental representation or coordinate the representation for the Queensland Government on all Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage related committees, secretariats or working groups.
Develop and implement a detailed Reef Water Quality Program to ensure the Queensland Government’s resources are directed and coordinated to meet the government’s reef water quality targets.
Coordinate, monitor and report on all actions attributed to the Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef
protection election commitments.
Provide secretariat and research support for governance groups including the Great Barrier Reef Advisory
Committee and Interdepartmental Committee.
Develop and foster relationships across Queensland Government, stakeholders, Traditional Owners and the
Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to establish a joint relationship on delivering the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan.
Lead the Queensland Government input into monitoring and reporting on the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Lead the development and dissemination of proactive communications for all stakeholders and the wider
community, including through the Queensland Government’s Protecting the Great Barrier Reef website.
Lead management of K’gari (Fraser Island), Riversleigh, and Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Queensland) World Heritage Areas in collaboration with the relevant State and Federal departments.
Manage the human and financial resources of the Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage and contribute to the senior leadership team of the Environment and Heritage Policy and Programs Division.
Foster a workplace culture that supports and promotes the interests of First Nations people and actively engage through our work to contribute to better outcomes for First Nations people.

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for the best suited applicant for the role. We’ll do this by assessing your eligibility and your suitability to undertake the requirements of the role (including, where relevant, the way you carried out previous roles). We’ll also consider your potential to make contributions to the department and how your engagement would support our commitment to equity, diversity, respect and inclusion.

What you will need for this role

An agile and inspirational leader, with a strong track record of achievement in dynamic and complex organisations.
A compelling communicator and advocate, able to represent the department persuasively and build effective relationships with a broad range of partners and stakeholders.
Demonstrable experience of leading policy initiatives and delivering innovative programs that have achieved real and lasting change. Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, and the agility and resilience to adapt to a rapidly changing context.
Significant implementation experience and business acumen to drive delivery, manage risk, and achieve greater impact and value for money.
Contribution to workplace equity and diversity that enriches our culture of innovation, respect and inclusion.

How to Apply

Everyone is welcome to apply.

We offer priority consideration to applicants with disability or who identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and meet the minimum requirements. Priority consideration applicants will be invited to participate in the next selection activity.

Please let us know what we can do to help you participate in the recruitment process and ensure your needs for cultural safety or workplace adjustments are considered. For more information on how-to-apply, including options for adjustments, visit Working with us.

To apply for this role, please provide us information about:

your skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities and how they align with the requirements in the What we are looking for section; and
why you are the best-suited person for this role.
You can provide these in a succinct resume (max 5 pages) and short statement (2 pages) or contact us to explore other options.

If your application is progressed, you will need to provide evidence of your Eligibility.

Applications close midnight, Tuesday 4th August 2026

Apply Now