Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer – Queensland Fire Department (QFD)
Are you ready to shape the strategic future of Queensland's fire Department?

An invitation to lead with vision, integrity, and impact.

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services across the state – from bushfires and severe weather to hazardous material, technical and swiftwater rescues. With Queensland Fire and Rescue, the Rural Fire Service Queensland, and a strong volunteer base at its core, the Strategy and Corporate Services Division enable shared service capability and delivery as part of QFD's vital role in safeguarding our communities.

We are seeking an exceptional executive leader to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), Strategy and Corporate Services Division. This is a position of critical influence and accountability, responsible for delivering the strategic framework, vision, and performance systems that underpin QFD's capability to serve Queenslanders.

Reporting directly to the Commissioner, and as part of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO leads a diverse portfolio comprising Finance, Procurement and Levy; People and Culture; Information and Technology; Asset Services; and Strategy. The role also works closely with the Minister, Chief of Staff and senior leaders across government to ensure QFD is positioned to meet whole-of-government and community priorities.

About Us
The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire in the built and landscape environments, as well as scientific and specialist capabilities to Queensland communities. The QFD provides a multi-hazard emergency response, including road crash rescue, bushfire, hazardous material, technical and vertical rescue, severe weather incidents, remote and swiftwater rescue, and provides a number of functions supporting community safety outcomes.

The department encompasses Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), as well as the broader department which work together to pre-empt, prevent, mitigate and manage the consequences of fires and other emergencies on Queensland communities and support our large volunteer membership across the state.

The QFD is an organisation that is committed to reframing the department's relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through activities identified in the QFD Reframing the Relationship Plan, contributing to Closing the Gap outcomes and building our cultural capability.

*Purpose of the role*
The Chief Operating Officer, Strategy and Corporate Services Division is responsible for leading the department's strategic framework and vision, and driving performance and integrated capability across QFD. This position is a member of the department's senior executive, holds a position in the Executive Leadership Team, and accountable to the Commissioner.

The division is comprised of Asset Services; Assurance Communications and Engagement; Finance, Procurement and Levy; Information and Technology; People, and People and Culture; and Strategy directorates. The position is a key interface with the Minister, the minister's Chief of Staff and other key contacts across government to ensure QFD is well placed in a whole-of-government context and against government priorities.

Strategy is paramount to ensure the department's planning and policy enhances the capability of its people, services and equipment. This role will provide contemporary and agile leadership in the development of strategies that support organisational and cultural change across QFD to meet the service delivery needs of Queensland communities. QFD and Queensland Government values and the needs of the community, are at the core of its operations and all evidence-based and ethical decision making.

*Your key accountabilities
Responsibilities*
Your part in the ongoing success of our department, in supporting key frontline services will see you responsible for a variety of work. As an executive your performance will be assessed according to six key accountability perspectives as listed, but not limited to:

Strategy, Strategic Decision Making and Executive Advisory

• Provide strategic leadership and advice to guide the direction of the organisation, its current and future services, and the longer-term development and continued success of the organisation.
• Strategic management of performance, corporate governance, capability and interoperability across QFD.
• Ensure the Commissioner and Minister are provided with proactive and detailed advice on a broad range of complex and sensitive issues.

Financial, Technology and Asset Management

• Provide strategic direction and leadership within QFD to ensure the effective delivery of services through best use of the human, financial and capital resources, ensuring government and corporate objectives are met.
• Manage the fiscal position of the organisation and work closely with other public safety agencies through significant procurement activities (e.g. capital, fleet and IT infrastructure investment) to support the technical functioning of the department.

People and Capability

• Ensure a highly trained, capable and effective workforce to support the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases in an all-hazards environment whilst contributing to the broader objective of improving community resilience.
• Ensure a strategic approach to the delivery of training for operational staff to enable persons to perform the functions under the relevant Acts are met efficiently, effectively and appropriately.
• Implement sustainable and effective performance management and development systems.

*Stakeholder Engagement*

• Develop and sustain relationships with the Ministers office, other government agencies and departments and with a diverse range of other significant stakeholders including unions and associations.
• Develop strategic partnerships and effective relationships with other government agencies and departments, non-government and volunteer organisations in order to develop business solutions that support interoperability.
• Represent the interests of the state of Queensland effectively in public and internal forums and on a range of national forums that relate to national security.

Policies and Programs

• Develop strategic policy and provide direction within QFD to ensure the high level visionary leadership within the department and the community to ensure the delivery of contemporary, value for money, fire and emergency services.
• Lead and drive the implementation of critical projects of significant scope and complexity, including systems, technology, employment relations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Governance and Risk

• Develop and implement strategies to address critical risk areas and uphold an audit and improvement culture and program of work.
• Lead the development and implementation of effective corporate governance and business improvement frameworks and practices.
• Ensure QFD compliance with relevant legislation, government policy, corporate direction and contemporary best-practice in service delivery.

*Capabilities*
As a leader in Queensland Government, you will display outstanding judgement, high level of integrity, and strong agility to adapt to a constantly changing environment. You will exhibit a strong achievement orientation, employ excellent communication and negotiation skills, and lead and model whole-of-government values, which reflect a commitment to customers first, ideas into action, unleash potential, be courageous and empower people.

This position requires values-based leadership and contemporary, senior executive leadership competencies, to drive agency-wide initiatives and reform. You will work collaboratively with Senior Executive peers and the QFD leadership team, and provide responsive, integrated and cost-effective corporate services to QFD.

Role
To determine your suitability for the role, you will be assessed on the following Leadership Competencies for Queensland behavioural profiles that link to the "key accountabilities" for this role:

Leadership Competency
Stream – Executive
(leading the function)

Vision

• Leads strategically
• Stimulates ideas and innovation
• Leads change in complex environments
• Makes insightful decisions

Results

• Develops and mobilises talent
• Builds enduring relationships
• Inspires others
• Drives accountability and outcomes

Accountability

• Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
• Pursues continuous growth
• Demonstrates sound governance

Once you join us we will want you to exemplify the QFD shared values of:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyaly

Why join us?
This is more than an executive role - it is a unique opportunity to contribute to the resilience, safety and wellbeing of all Queensland communities. As Chief Operating Officer, you will lead contemporary strategies and reforms that ensure QFD is prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Natasha Olsson-Seeto or Jevon Seah at OnTalent on Visit: to apply and for more information.

For further information about QFD, please visit