Manager (Operations)

Primary Industries; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Primary Industries is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead large-scale field operations for a national program. Based in Brisbane, you’ll oversee regional delivery, ensure safety and efficiency, and provide strategic guidance to senior leaders to achieve program outcomes.

You will drive performance, manage contracts and resources, and foster accountability across diverse teams while shaping operational strategy for a high-impact biosecurity initiative in Queensland.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading complex, large-scale or geographically dispersed operations.
• Proven ability to develop teams and foster accountability, safety and high performance.
• Strong operational planning and resource management capability.
• Sound judgement to assess complex issues, manage risks and implement practical solutions.
• Experience improving processes, efficiency and operational delivery.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Ability to provide clear, evidence-based advice grounded in operational realities.
• Experience managing significant projects, contracts, resources or operational programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale regional field operations, aligning people and resources with Program priorities.
• Drive operational performance, workforce capacity and delivery of safe, high-quality outcomes.
• Manage operational risks, major projects, contracts and procurement activities.
• Improve systems and processes to strengthen efficiency, accountability and field delivery.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, scientific, safety and people management requirements.
• Provide strategic operational advice and collaborate with senior leaders to achieve Program outcomes.

Skills

Operational leadership

Team development

Resource planning

Risk management

Process improvement

Stakeholder influence

Evidence-based advisory

Contract & procurement

Job description

Join the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, Australia's largest eradication initiative and one of Queensland's most significant biosecurity programs. Based in Virginia, Brisbane, you’ll lead teams delivering outcomes that protect communities, industries, the environment and Queensland’s way of life from one of the world’s most invasive pests. If you’re an experienced operational leader looking to make a genuine impact while shaping the success of a nationally significant program, we’d love to hear from you.

Just imagine what you could achieve with us. #DPIcareers

The Manager Operations is responsible for leading the delivery of large-scale field operations within the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP), one of Australia’s most significant biosecurity initiatives. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across complex operational environments, ensuring the effective deployment of people, resources, systems and contracts to achieve program outcomes.

As a member of the Operations Leadership Team, the Operations Manager drives program performance, fosters a culture of safety, accountability and innovation and provides high-level advice that influences operational strategy, resource allocation and continuous improvement. You will be based in Virginia depot, Brisbane leading the operational delivery of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program across the northern region. You will oversee field operations, ensuring people, resources and activities are effectively prioritised to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality outcomes.

This is an opportunity to lead at scale, influence how operations are delivered and drive continuous improvement while contributing to an important program protecting Queensland’s communities, environment and economy.

As Manager Operations, you will:

• Lead large-scale regional field operations, aligning people and resources with Program priorities.
• Drive operational performance, workforce capacity and delivery of safe, highquality outcomes.
• Manage operational risks, major projects, contracts and procurement activities.
• Improve systems and processes to strengthen efficiency, accountability and field delivery.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, scientific, safety and people management requirements.
• Provide strategic operational advice and collaborate with senior leaders to achieve Program outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Extensive experience leading complex, large-scale or geographically dispersed operations.
• Proven ability to develop teams and foster accountability, safety and high performance.
• Strong operational planning and resource management capability.
• Sound judgement to assess complex issues, manage risks and implement practical solutions.
• Experience improving processes, efficiency and operational delivery.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Ability to provide clear, evidence-based advice grounded in operational realities.
• Experience managing significant projects, contracts, resources or operational programs.

You will have the opportunity to lead people, influence strategy and shape how large-scale field operations are delivered, while contributing to a program delivering important outcomes for Queensland.

Why work for us:

• Learn why our people choose DPI and more importantly why they stay.
• Work with passion and purpose.
• Have a tangible impact, for today and tomorrow.
• Enjoy interesting, diverse work.
• Follow your path wherever it leads.
• Get the flexibility and support you need to thrive.
• Be part of our united DPI.

www.dpi.qld.gov.au/about/who/people

Find purpose you feel, impact you see and a legacy you bring to life.

Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don’t transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad .