Manager Secretariat and Governance

Manager – Secretariat and Governance

APS6

Townsville, QLD

Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full-time

Applications close 11:59pm, Monday 27 October, 2025

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) is a Commonwealth non-corporate entity, and a statutory agency established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Marine Park Act), reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Water. Our objective is the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international community through the care and development of the Marine Park.

Managing a reef roughly the size of Italy demands many skills and talents, so you don't have to be a marine biologist to contribute to our mission. From finance to marketing roles, we have a team almost as diverse as the ecosystem we protect. Our commitment and dedication to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian public have a long-lasting impact, and we are looking for individuals who can bring their unique skills, experience, and knowledge to our high-performing and inclusive organisation.

The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled business and governance professional to join our Strategic Governance section. The section provides quality governance advice that informs strategic direction, enhances decision making, and guides organisational integrity.

The Strategic Governance Manager ensures best practice governance, project management, and high-level administration is applied to our key governance body, the Marine Park Authority Board (the Board), and the role provides governance advice and strategic support for the two committees that report to the Board.

The position provides dedicated high-level executive assistant support to the Reef Authority's Board Chairperson and Board members, and supports other committees and activities administered by the Strategic Governance section. The position also contributes to the section's activities, which includes corporate planning.

About You

• You are a highly capable business, governance, or project management professional who can apply best practice governance in key forums.
• You are diligent, professional, exceptionally organised, and operate with a high degree of autonomy.
• You are a highly capable communicator with well-developed writing, editing, proof-reading skills.
• You are able to capably and confidently provide governance advice to senior leaders.
• You are resourceful, a problem-solver, and can apply judgement, logic, and discretion.
• You are an exceptional team player who works in harmony with your team, staff, and stakeholders.
• You are detail orientated, methodical, apply strategic thinking, analytical, and can use a workflow system to manage key governance functions.
• You are aware of the broader operating environment, factors influencing the environment, and how your work contributes to it.
• You will be an experienced leader who provides clear direction, can manage staff, recognises the ideas and contributions of others, and provides support and guidance for personal and professional development.
• You are flexible in how and where you work and willing to support your team in a range of functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply best practice secretariat management (including agenda and document management, minute taking, papers, and other meeting logistics), governance, and project support to our key governance body, the Board, and provide governance advice and support to the two reef advisory committees, that report to the Board.

• Confidently write, edit, and proofread a large volume of complex materials for compliance and clarity, often to a tight deadline. Provide timely and considered advice to senior managers on content and governance.

• Strategically manage the governance structure by developing well-considered forward plans, calendars, agendas, reports, and correspondence using a workflow management system.

• Provide leadership, direction and support to staff, including personal and professional development guidance. Support the section with high-level project management across budget and contract management, strategically manage governance functions end-to-end, and demonstrate strategic thinking in undertaking tasks.

• Implement business improvement projects, maintain positive working relationships, and provide high level executive assistant support to the Board Chairperson and Board members. This includes onboarding new members as required.

• Provide support to the Strategic Governance leadership team with corporate planning activities, and other functions as required.

• Work in harmony with the Strategic Governance team, Board, the Executive, and other Reef Authority staff; participate in Agile ways of working and flexible working more generally; and contribute to other section projects and functions including other committees.

For more information about this opportunity, please contactLisa Pennisi, Director Strategic Governance, ,

Eligibility

The successful candidate will have:

Essential requirements

• Demonstrated business, governance, or project management experience.
• Highly developed writing, editing, proofreading, and project management skills.
• Qualifications in business and/or public administration or equivalent relevant experience.
• Attention to detail and the ability to complete work activities to a high standard.

Desirable requirement

• The ability to travel, sometimes for multiple nights at a time.

To be eligible for employment, candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

The position requires a Baseline security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.

How to apply

Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

You will be required to prepare a response document ("pitch") in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Please prepare a 'pitch', as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.

• any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

• how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review 'Cracking the Code' and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website:

Please complete your application online and provide:

• your 'pitch' (as described above and in the position description).
• proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
• a current curriculum vitae (resume)

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.

Notes

The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit:

Eligibility

Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:

• Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
• Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
• Evidence of citizenship status.
• Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
• Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
• The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.
• The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.