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Chief Executive Officer

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Applications for this role close midnight, Monday 26 October 2026

Overview

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Gold Coast waterways are at the heart of the region's recreation and tourism industry as a playground for locals and tourists who come to experience the Queensland lifestyle.

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) is a Queensland Government statutory authority, with a Chief Executive Officer and 41 officers governed by a decision-making board of seven members, appointed by and accountable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services. GCWA has been established to deliver the best possible management of the Gold Coast waterways, at reasonable cost to the community and government, while keeping regulation to a minimum.

With a new Chair and Board working on aligning priorities with the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Act 2012, GCWA is renewing its direction and work program. The focus is on keeping the waterways clean, safe and navigable for everyone who uses them, with public marine infrastructure that is fit for purpose. This will help us deliver the best possible management of the waterways into the future that is aligned to the vision of the community. Alongside this, we want to celebrate the cultural, social, economic and environmental values which make our waterways special and set us apart from every other community in Australia.

Other purposes under the GCWA Act are the following:

Our specific functions include:

Planning for and facilitating the development and management of the Gold Coast waterways over the long term, in a way that is sustainable and considers the impact of development on the environment.
Improving and maintaining navigational access to the Gold Coast waterways
Developing and improving public marine facilities relating to the Gold Coast waterways
Promoting and managing the sustainable use of the Gold Coast waterways for marine industries, tourism and recreation
Managing Crown Land reserves under trusteeship, surrounding the Gold Coast Seaway such as Doug Jennings Park, Wave Break Island, the Sand Bypass System and southern tip of South Stradbroke Island.

Areas of focus being considered include clean waterways, safe navigation, navigational access, marine infrastructure and stakeholder engagement. Core functions come first, and this is where effort and funding will go. Marine industries, tourism and recreation are supported in partnership with others. The incoming Chief Executive Officer will work with the Board to shape and deliver the final direction.

Gold Coast Boating

5 Rivers

36,000 recreational boat registrations as of December 2024
Approximately 30% of Queensland’s jet ski registrations
700 commercially registered vessels

Gold Coast

12 M Visitors/year

600,000+ residents, forecast to double to 1 million by 2050
Australia’s most biologically diverse city, home to more than 1300 animal and 1700 plant species
Australia’s largest marine precinct generating economic outputs worth $440 million with a flow-on to the Qld economy of $770 million & over 6000 jobs for Queenslanders

Our Gold Coast Waterways

170 km

774 hectares of lakes and dams
Part of Moreton Bay which hosts 113,000 hectares of internationally significant listed wetlands

Vision & Strategy

Our Vision – A Waterways City

These three focus areas aim to ensure the Gold Coast continues to embrace our waterways as it embraces the opportunities of being a waterways city.

Access

Providing boats and other vessels quick and easy access to the Gold Coast waterways from a launching point such as a boat ramp, jetty or pontoon.

Connections

Providing a safe and easy navigable channel network across all Gold Coast waterways that is supported by infrastructure needed to access it, such as buoy moorings.

Destinations

Promoting various Gold Coast waterway locations for a variety of uses including recreation, events and industry activities such as shipbuilding and maintenance, tourism, film and television production. Ensuring locations are maintained and regulated to ensure accessibility and enjoyment for all.

Our Mission

Our mission is to manage and enhance Gold Coast waterways in partnership with the public and on behalf of the Queensland Government.

We aspire to set the standard for and spread the principles of world-class coastal management and waterways management – emphasising environmental excellence – to improve the quality of open waterways space for the enjoyment of all.

In embracing this mission, the GCWA of the future will retain and build on its successful infrastructure program while adopting a broader focus on supporting sustainable commercial and recreational uses of the waterways as the Gold Coast population grows, including an increase in aquatic events, managing these multiple uses and ensuring acceptable behaviours as well as preserving environmental values including water quality and waterways resilience.

Our Strategy

The Gold Coast Waterways Management Strategy 2021-2030 is the second 10-year strategy prepared by the Authority to guide the responsible management of the Gold Coast’s waterways and the Authority’s land-based reserves.

Since the first Strategy was published in 2014, the Gold Coast waterways and the GCWA have undergone significant changes. With population increases, changes in use and the addition of responsibilities under the Implementation of the Spit Master Plan Act 2020, there was a clear need to refresh the Strategy and align the direction of the GCWA towards the opportunities and challenges of today.

The strategy outlines the collective vision of the GCWA, our agency partners, the City of Gold Coast, the community and industry for the future of the waterways. It provides clear guidance on the development and implementation of the waterways management plan whilst ensuring alignment with other plans such as The Spit Master Plan and the Queensland Government’s objectives for the community.

This Strategy provides the foundations to ensure that locals and visitors can continue to enjoy, and thrive in our waterways city now, and into the future.

About the Role

Chief Executive Officer

Download Position Description

The Chief Executive Officer will:

Work with the Board to shape the Authority’s renewed strategic direction and implement its work program through the Strategic and Operational Plans, aligning priorities and funding with core statutory functions to support clean, safe and navigable Gold Coast waterways.
Provide strategic oversight and ensure effective delivery of the Authority’s functions and obligations under the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Act 2012 and other applicable legislation, including waterways monitoring and compliance, aids to navigation, navigational safety, maintenance dredging, land management and the management and development of public marine infrastructure.
Lead collaboration with partner agencies such as Maritime Safety Queensland, Water Police, Fisheries and City of Gold Coast to clarify responsibilities, coordinate activities, and minimise unnecessary duplication.
Prioritise investment using survey, compliance, and asset condition data, with a strong focus on maintenance, renewal and whole-of-life asset management.
Monitor and report to the Board, Minister/s, community, and stakeholders on the implementation of the Strategic and Operational Plans, and core business requirements of the governing legislation, aligning outcomes to performance indicators and investment criteria.
Ensure the Authority remains responsive to emerging challenges and provide rapid response when required through an agile and skilled workforce.
Build constructive relationships with the Gold Coast community and stakeholders, ensuring clear, accessible and timely communication about the Authority’s responsibilities, priorities and project delivery.
Oversee financial management and asset stewardship, including approximately $30 million in annual operating and capital expenditure and a $300 million asset portfolio, ensuring appropriate governance, accountability and value for money.

Key Responsibilities

Provide prompt, thorough and accurate information and advice to keep the Board and Minister/s appropriately informed and represent the Authority on high level committees and at public sector and industry forums.

Implement, monitor and lead the strategic and operational planning, management and funding of the Authority, including business planning, risk management, and the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies to ensure the long-term viability of the organisation.
Lead, manage, direct and evaluate financial and business performance analysis and reporting, budget submissions and business cases, demonstrating commercial and ethical acumen with exceptional negotiation, relationship building and presentation skills.
Champion, shape and implement change management processes and drive reform to deliver on strategic and operational objectives and initiatives, ensuring clarity of direction and achievement of successful outcomes.
Lead, manage and direct a high-performance team that promotes a culture which reflects GCWAs values, positive behaviours and workplace health and safety focus.
Oversee the operations of the Authority and manage its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Promote the positive profile and reputation of GCWA and manage relationships with key stakeholders from across the public sector, marine industries, the media and the community.
Represent GCWA as the key spokesperson and manage media enquiries and other marketing, communication and consultation processes as required.
Effectively plan for, manage and monitor resources to ensure alignment with strategic goals and successful delivery of objectives.
Proactively manage staff, including performance management, to maintain a high performing and committed team, and promote learning, development and mentoring strategies to develop future leaders within GCWA.
Ensure GCWA and staff operate according to appropriate operations, financial and human resource procedures and in compliance with relevant legislation, standards and delegations

- Proven leadership skills, combined with vision and the ability to navigate complex, ambiguous, political and regulatory environments.
- Extensive experience across the public, private and/or not for profit sector, with a strong background in strategy and policy implementation, service delivery and client service.
- Proven track record in change management, in a challenging environment, with competing and conflicting agendas.
- Able to lead change with agility and engage with ideas and innovation, whilst balancing risk.
- Excellent interpersonal and people management skills, with the ability to gain respect of the Board, Ministers, senior executives, employees, stakeholders, the media and the community.
- Exceptional negotiation, relationship building and presentation skills.
- High level of energy and drive, with a strong focus for action and successful outcomes.
- Models professional and ethical behaviour and displays courage when providing advice and making decisions.
- Able to apply sound corporate governance and fiscal management.
GCWA’s office is conveniently located in Main Beach, Gold Coast, between the Broadwater and the ocean, so while on your lunch break, you can take a walk on one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic beaches. We have bicycle racks for those who choose to ride to work, as many of us do, and the light tram and bus stops are located within walking distance. There is ample free car parking available, either on site or nearby. Our staff can enjoy heated showers if they wish to swim or surf before or after work, with a secure rack for surf boards provided.
GCWA has well equipped staff kitchen facilities where you can prepare your lunch and enjoy it on our Broadwater facing balcony. The views will inspire your afternoon.

See the Position Description for more information on the role.

How to Apply

To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:

A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on:
- How you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the position description
- Why you are the best suited person for this role
- How you could support our commitment to equity, diversity, respect and inclusion
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.

For more information or assistance with your application, including options for adjustments, please reach out to us.

apply now

Applications close midnight, Monday 26 October 2026