Senior Manager - Response

Australian Red Cross; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 107,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Salary packaging

Flexible location

Job summary

Australian Red Cross is seeking a Senior Manager, Emergency Response to provide leadership over our national emergency response capability across states and territories. You will lead planning, coordination and continuous improvement of disaster response activities to ensure consistent and effective delivery while engaging communities and stakeholders.

You will guide the Managers of Emergency Response and Emergency Coordination, strengthening operational readiness, incident coordination and

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and ethics governing emergency management.
• Extensive knowledge of emergency management concepts and deployment in disasters in Australia.
• Strategic leadership with sound judgement in complex, high-pressure environments.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams with accountability.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation across senior partners.
• Ability to work across organizational boundaries for consistent outcomes.
• Financial and budget management capabilities, including resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Lead national emergency response planning and coordination.
• Ensure consistent operational delivery across states and territories.
• Strengthen incident coordination and response readiness.
• Coach and develop managers and teams.
• Engage with government agencies, NGOs and community partners.
• Drive continuous improvement and strategic initiatives in operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Emergency management

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Budget management

Change management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Decision making

Policy governance

Job description

Join Australian Red Cross in this high-impact role shaping our emergency response and coordination across all states and territories to support Australians in time of crisis

• Full time, ongoing role
• Flexible location + hybrid working
• Generous salary packaging available

About Red Cross

Australian Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement. We support and empower people and communities in times of vulnerability. We act for humanity.

About the role

The Senior Manager, Emergency Response provides leadership and oversight of Australian Red Cross' national emergency response capability within the Centralised Emergency Response & Workforce Team. The role leads the planning, coordination and continuous improvement of disaster response activities, ensuring nationally consistent and effective operational delivery while maintaining strong connections with local communities and stakeholders across all states and territories.

Leading the Manager, Emergency Response and Manager, Emergency Coordination, this role is responsible for strengthening operational readiness, incident coordination, response capability and enabling systems to support people and communities before, during and after disasters.

About you

An experienced and visionary leader with substantial experience in emergency response, disaster management, or crisis coordination, you are resilient and adaptable and will foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning. With knowledge gained through substantial experience, you can lead multidisciplinary teams in high-stress environments, with a track record of making sound decisions under pressure.

What you will bring

• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and ethical standards governing emergency management and disaster response activities.
• Extensive knowledge of emergency management concepts, principles and arrangements, and their application to supporting people and communities affected by disasters in Australia.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership, exercise sound judgement and make effective decisions in complex, dynamic and high-pressure environments.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing individuals and teams, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships across senior internal stakeholders, government agencies, emergency services, NGOs, and community organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to achieve nationally consistent and effective outcomes.
• Strong financial and business management capability, including budget development, resource allocation and financial oversight.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational change and implementing strategic initiatives in complex operational environments.
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences.

Benefits that act for you, while you act for humanity

Work flexibility:

Australian Red Cross operates under a hybrid working model which includes two days on-site and three days from home, providing you more work/life balance

Financial wellbeing

In addition to your salary, you can take advantage of salary packaging that could provide you with a great way to reduce the amount of tax you pay - and get more from your salary. You can salary package up to $15,900 for living expenses (such as rent, groceries, utility bills); up to $2,650 for holiday accommodation and meals when dining out; Novated car leases; superannuation and purchase additional annual leave.

Life, Health & Wellbeing

You can access a paid ‘Me’ day just for you and a wide range of other paid leave options. You can also tap into specialist health and wellbeing advice via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Converge International.

Career development

Access to ongoing learning, training, and development.

Further information

This role is covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award - Level 6. Salary from $119,093.52 + superannuation + salary packaging options.