Chief Operating Officer

Australian Fisheries Management Authority; Canberra; On-site; AUD 230,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Partial relocation assistance

Job summary

Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in Canberra is seeking an accomplished Chief Operating Officer (SES Band 1) to lead corporate enabling functions and organisational performance. Reporting to the CEO, the role shapes AFMA's strategic direction and ensures governance, risk management and resources are aligned with regulatory objectives.

The ideal candidate brings proven executive leadership in complex environments, strong stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to public sector

Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership experience delivering organisational performance and strategic outcomes in complex operating environments.
• Experience leading corporate enabling functions, governance, workforce capability, organisational development and transformation initiatives across work groups.
• Ability to build high-performing, inclusive and values-driven workplace cultures.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, including the ability to provide trusted advice to executives, boards and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgement, integrity and accountability, with a demonstrated commitment to public sector stewardship and effective management of public resources.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to shape AFMA's strategic direction, organisational priorities and long-term capability requirements.
• Provide executive leadership across AFMA's corporate enabling functions, including people and capability, finance, internal audit, governance, legal, communications, information management, digital services, cyber security, property and security.
• Lead enterprise workforce planning, organisational capability development, succession planning, workplace relations and employee engagement strategies to ensure AFMA has the workforce required to deliver its objectives.
• Drive a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture that reflects APS Values and supports innovation, collaboration and accountability.
• Lead organisational change and transformation initiatives that strengthen performance, service delivery and business resilience.
• Oversee AFMA's governance framework, including corporate planning, enterprise performance reporting, audit and assurance, risk management and Audit and Risk Committee secretariat.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and, as necessary, Commission on organisational capability, governance, workforce, resource management and performance matters.
• Lead the agency's cyber security, information management and digital transformation priorities to support effective and secure service delivery.
• Ensure effective stewardship of public resources and compliance with the PGPA Act, Commonwealth legislative requirements and whole-of-government policy obligations.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with government, industry and other key stakeholders to advance organisational and regulatory outcomes.
• Contribute to the overall leadership, management and future direction of AFMA as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & risk management

Public sector stewardship

Job description

Australian Fisheries Management Authority – Canberra ACT

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) aims to provide ecologically sustainable and economically efficient Commonwealth fisheries, through understanding and monitoring Australia’s marine living resources and regulating and monitoring commercial fishing, including domestic licensing and deterrence of illegal foreign fishing.

About the branch

The Corporate Services Branch is responsible for enabling AFMA to deliver its regulatory and operational objectives through contemporary, sustainable and high-performing corporate services. Working in partnership with business areas across the agency, the branch provides leadership, advice and support across governance, finance, people, technology, legal, communications, property and security functions.

The branch plays a key role in strengthening organisational capability, improving planning and performance, supporting informed decision-making and driving continuous improvement across AFMA. Its focus is on delivering services that are practical, responsive and aligned to the agency's strategic priorities and workforce needs.

About the position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is AFMA's senior executive responsible for organisational capability, corporate governance, enterprise stewardship and organisational performance. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of AFMA's Executive Leadership Team, the COO plays a critical role in shaping and delivering AFMA's strategic direction, ensuring the agency has the people, systems, governance and resources required to achieve its regulatory and operational objectives.

Working in close partnership with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, the COO provides strategic leadership to strengthen organisational capability, organisational performance and effective stewardship of public resources. The role ensures AFMA remains resilient, high-performing and well positioned to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Capabilities & Experience

We are seeking an accomplished executive leader with a proven track record of leading complex business groups, driving strategic outcomes and delivering sustainable organisational performance. You will bring exceptional leadership, strategic and organisational acumen, the ability to navigate complexity and influence diverse stakeholders, and a demonstrated commitment to public sector stewardship, integrity and continuous improvement.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Proven executive leadership experience delivering organisational performance and strategic outcomes in complex operating environments.
• Experience leading corporate enabling functions, governance, workforce capability, organisational development and transformation initiatives across work groups.
• The ability to build high-performing, inclusive and values-driven workplace cultures.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, including the ability to provide trusted advice to executives, boards and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgement, integrity and accountability, with a demonstrated commitment to public sector stewardship and effective management of public resources.

Experience working within a regulatory, public sector or natural resource management environment.

Experience engaging with boards, commissions or similar governance bodies.

Desirable Capabilities & Experience

Experience working within a regulatory, public sector or natural resource management environment.

Experience engaging with boards, commissions or similar governance bodies.

The key duties of the position include:

In addition to meeting the requirements of the SES Band 1 work level standards, you will:

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to shape AFMA's strategic direction, organisational priorities and long-term capability requirements.
• Provide executive leadership across AFMA's corporate enabling functions, including people and capability, finance, internal audit, governance, legal, communications, information management, digital services, cyber security, property and security.
• Lead enterprise workforce planning, organisational capability development, succession planning, workplace relations and employee engagement strategies to ensure AFMA has the workforce required to deliver its objectives.
• Drive a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture that reflects APS Values and supports innovation, collaboration and accountability.
• Lead organisational change and transformation initiatives that strengthen performance, service delivery and business resilience.
• Oversee AFMA's governance framework, including corporate planning, enterprise performance reporting, audit and assurance, risk management and Audit and Risk Committee secretariat.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and, as necessary, Commission on organisational capability, governance, workforce, resource management and performance matters.
• Lead the agency's cyber security, information management and digital transformation priorities to support effective and secure service delivery.
• Ensure effective stewardship of public resources and compliance with the PGPA Act, Commonwealth legislative requirements and whole-of-government policy obligations.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with government, industry and other key stakeholders to advance organisational and regulatory outcomes.
• Contribute to the overall leadership, management and future direction of AFMA as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this role applicants must:

• be an Australian Citizen;
• have the ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance;
• satisfy the requirements of an Australian Federal Police Check.

Notes

The current opportunity is ongoing. This process may be used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing roles in the future.

This position is located in Canberra, ACT. Successful applicants that are currently not based in Canberra must be willing to relocate to Canberra.

Benefits

• Partial relocation assistance is available.

The selection panel may intend to use Co-pilot to assist in creating the interview assessment commentary for the selection report. Selection panel members will take notes during the interview, with these combined and summarised by Co-pilot. The selection panel will review the proposed assessment commentary and amend if required, to reflect their assessment.