Executive Director, Biodiversity Council

Job no: 0056981
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Fixed term
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Salary: Senior Manager 1 - attractive remuneration package plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About the Biodiversity Council

• Halt and reverse the loss of nature and ecosystems essential to life and culture  
• Advocate for change and drive community action
• Highly visible Melbourne-based role working with sector experts nationally

The newly founded Biodiversity Council (The Council) will be the peak independent scientific voice for Australian biodiversity and is founded by leading experts including First Peoples, philanthropists, and universities. The Council will be hosted by the University of Melbourne through a start-up phase, after which it will become a financially and legally independent entity. 

The vision of The Council is that Australia’s biodiversity is recognised and valued nationally and globally as a priceless heritage, a foundation for our life and a defining feature of our country, and that its future is recovered or secured.  The Council will be a trusted expert voice communicating accurate information on all aspects of biodiversity to secure and restore the future of Australia’s biodiversity. 

The Council will build networks of experts including First Peoples, and community champions to drive an increase in political and community awareness, support and action for biodiversity and Country.

About the Role
Reporting to the Advisory Board and the Dean of Science, you will be pivotal in leading and working closely with the Council of experts to oversee delivery of strategic priorities to reverse biodiversity loss.

The Executive Director will establish and oversee the smooth running of the organisation including all governance, legal and financial processes, and risk management, with support from the University of Melbourne’s structures and systems.  

You will lead, motivate and expand an initial team of six high calibre staff to implement and amplify the objectives of The Council and the work of Australia’s biodiversity experts, establishing the organisation's credibility.

As a change agent you will contribute to and oversee public campaigning of the Council, prosecuting the case for biodiversity in the media, with policy makers and politicians, with civil society and in the wider community.

Additional responsibilities will be to:

• Establish The Council as financially sustainable and independent within the start-up phase
• Establish and build diversified fundraising streams, securing new donor bases
• Develop partnerships and strong relationships with key stakeholders and funders
• Oversee the development and implementation of targeted advocacy campaigns
• Create an engaged, motivated team with a culture of high performance
• Model, communicate and promote the Council’s Code of Conduct and values

About You
You will have a strong desire to protect Australian biodiversity. Your diverse experience encompasses representing organisations as a thought leader, developing and managing influential advocacy strategies, and oversight of impactful campaigns.

You can additionally offer the following:

• Good understanding of philanthropy and experience developing foundation partners
• Success in conveying key messages in the popular media, public, and with policy makers
• Strong knowledge of governance and compliance and proven experience supporting boards
• Excellent political nous, entrepreneurial flair, negotiation and leadership skills.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement across government, business, academic and community
• Experience supporting First Peoples leadership and designing advocacy campaigns is desirable
• Capacity to rapidly master biodiversity knowledge and its implications for policy, business, First Peoples and community

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits .

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

Please submit your application on the NGO Recruitment website: https://ngorecruitment.com/permanent-job/?job_id=557422&index=0

If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and experience.  Please note that you are not required to provide responses against the selection criteria in the Position Description.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].