Director, Recovery Coordination and Coastal Operations

About the role

The Director, DEECA Recovery Coordination and Coastal Operations leads a multidisciplinary, statewide team that delivers programs and services to support emergency recovery and coastal operations. This role demands expertise in statutory frameworks, risk management, and operational service delivery alongside an understanding of coastal science and data and the interaction with government policy and strategy objectives.

Accountable for fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture across dispersed teams, the Director ensures consistent, innovative, and high-quality service delivery. They provide timely, strategic advice on complex, sensitive projects to senior executives and Ministers, navigating regulatory frameworks with sound judgement, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.

In a dynamic landscape subject to increasing emergency and coastal hazard events, the Director drives continuous improvement and programs of work that enhance efficiency and responsiveness. You will continue to deliver a departmental approach to emergency recovery and evolve how we mitigate, respond and recover from the consequences of emergencies on our coasts. The Director will also build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, positioning the department as a trusted leader in coasts and emergency recovery coordination across Victoria.

About you:

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• Experience as a leader with a proven record of success working in a large, complex organisation and leading change management and improvement initiatives.

• Strong public-sector experience with an understanding of government policies and strategies that apply to coastal and marine management and emergency management is desirable.

• Relevant tertiary qualification is desirable.

About the Group

The Regions, Environment, Climate Action, and First Peoples Group (RECAFP) is the home of DEECA's expertise on climate action, the circular economy, environment protection and the management of natural and built assets on public land across Victoria. The RECAFP Group provides advice to the Victorian government on the policy settings, programs and initiatives which will further the implementation of DEECA's state-wide objectives in the environment and climate action portfolios.

Through its network of regions, the RECAFP Group provides integrated, place-based design and delivery of programs, projects, and services across departmental portfolios. It is also responsible for leading DEECA's self-determination reform agenda with a particular focus on developing cultural capability, creating a culturally safe working environment, and improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians across the department.

Working across DEECA, with portfolio agencies, regional communities, service delivery partners, other external stakeholders and ministers the RECAFP Group supports the delivery of services and outcomes for government and Victorian communities.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is Barwon South West/flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Carolyn Jackson, Deputy Secretary RECAFP on or email

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 9 November 2025.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to:

• undertake pre-employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check

• have their misconduct declarations validated, irrespective of whether misconduct has been declared or not

• provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.
• provide evidence of their right to work in Australia

For more information about the pre-screening requirements for this position, please refer to the position description.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.