Head of Operations jobs

Job description
Agency Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Work unit Strategic Coordination

Job title Senior Director, Regions and Operations Designation Executive Contract Officer 1

Job type Fulltime Duration Fixed up to 4 years

Renumeration Package $240,105 Location Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs

Position number 76260077 RTF 357696 Closing 11/10/2026

Contact Officer Matthew Osborne, Senior Executive Director, Strategic Coordination on 08 8999 2921 or matthew.osborne@nt.gov.au

About the agency Homepage | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=357696

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability by
making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer.
For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective
The position is responsible for strengthening regional coordination, supporting research farm operations, facilitating industry-focused research outcomes,
and ensuring the Department’s regional capabilities contribute to the Government's priorities of Rebuilding the Economy and Restoring the Territory
Lifestyle. The role acts as a key advocate for regional agriculture, industry development and research innovation, ensuring departmental activities are
aligned to industry needs, economic growth opportunities and community outcomes across the Territory.
Context statement
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries delivers agricultural, biosecurity, fisheries and regional development outcomes across a geographically
dispersed operating environment. Strong regional leadership is critical to ensuring departmental services, infrastructure, research investments and
stakeholder engagement activities remain aligned to industry and community needs.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Lead the department's regional coordination function, ensuring regional priorities, stakeholder needs and industry opportunities are embedded in

departmental planning, policy development, investment decisions and service delivery across the Northern Territory.
2. Provide strategic leadership of DAF's research farms and regional operations, ensuring they effectively support research delivery, industry development,

regional capability, innovation and delivery of government priorities.
3. Build and maintain productive partnerships with industry, Aboriginal organisations, regional communities, research institutions and government

agencies to advance agricultural development, attract investment and strengthen the department's regional influence and impact.
4. Drive strategic growth and organisational outcomes and provide authoritative advice to the Executive Leadership Team on regional priorities, risks and

opportunities.
5. Lead and support regionally based staff and programs, establishing effective governance, performance and reporting frameworks, promoting a high-

performance culture, and representing the department across regional, industry and government forums while undertaking regular travel throughout
the Territory.

Selection criteria
Essential
1. Demonstrated senior leadership experience in complex regional, agricultural, research or primary industry environments, with a proven ability to shape

strategic direction and deliver organisational outcomes across geographically dispersed operations.
2. Highly developed strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated experience providing authoritative advice to senior

executives, government and key stakeholders on complex, sensitive and emerging issues.
3. Demonstrated capacity to establish, influence and maintain collaborative partnerships with industry, Aboriginal organisations, regional communities,

research institutions, government agencies and commercial stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes and advance regional development opportunities.
4. Demonstrated understanding of agricultural industries, research operations, regional development and industry engagement, including the ability to

align research, innovation and operational activities with industry needs, economic growth opportunities and government priorities.
5. Highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills, including the ability to create alignment between diverse stakeholders, represent

the organisation in high-profile forums and build commitment to strategic priorities and organisational change.
6. Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams, including building capability, promoting accountability, fostering high

performance and leading through complexity, change and continuous improvement.
Desirable
1. A tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Natural Resource Management, Business, Management or a

related discipline.
2. Knowledge of Northern Territory agricultural industries, regional communities, government priorities and the social, economic and demographic factors

influencing regional development across the Territory.
3. Experience working within government, research institutions or primary industry organisations.

Further information
Travel to regional and remote locations throughout the Northern Territory is required. A current Northern Territory Driver Licence and occasional out-of-
hours work may be required to support operational requirements of role.