Risk and Optimisation Manager, Tropical North Queensland

Join a purpose-driven organisation making a real impact in Far North Queensland

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for risk management and driving portfolio performance? Do you thrive in environments where decision-making, innovation, and agility are essential?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Terrain NRM—a leading not-for-profit environmental stewardship organisation—at the forefront of protecting and restoring rivers, estuaries, wetlands and reefs across Far North Queensland.

As the natural resource management organisation for the Wet Tropics region, Terrain NRM is seeking a highly-skilled and strategic Risk & Optimisation Manager to champion smarter ways of delivering value across our diverse programs and projects.

You’ll join a talented and supportive team where your expertise will help shape not only our outcomes, but how we achieve them. This critical role will drive the integration of enterprise-level risk frameworks with delivery excellence and provide critical insight and expert advice across all stages of the project lifecycle ensuring our programmes are resilient, adaptive, and value-focused.

We’re looking for someone who is:

Highly experienced in risk management, project optimisation or a related field.

An expert in developing portfolio-level risk systems, with strong financial literacy.

A strong team player who brings leadership, initiative, and innovation to the table.

Skilled in interpreting contracts, legislation, and compliance requirements.

Strategic thinker with excellent judgement, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.

A high-level communicator with interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Can drive a culture of continuous improvement and adaptive planning.

Has an appreciation of systems thinking, circular economy approaches and the application of innovative green finance instruments.

Selection Criteria

Authority & Accountability

Proven practical experience (5+ years) in risk management, project optimisation, or related roles, preferably in natural resource management or a closely related field

Proven experience developing and implementing portfolio-level risk frameworks, tools, and registers.

Management Skills

Sound financial literacy, ability to support budget development and identify financial risk within a departmental or project scope.

Demonstrated effectiveness in delivering outcomes and successfully meeting performance targets and deadlines.

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Proficiency with risk management and project management software/tools.

Experience in coordinating insurance requirements and interpretating policy.

Experience with interpreting legislation and contract clauses; and liaising with legal professionals.

Interpersonal Skills

Ability to communicate with influence, interpret problems/concerns of others, and strong interpersonal skills to support change management.

High level of written and verbal communication skills ability to select appropriate format and methods to suit audience, nature and content.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, work with varying levels of government and community stakeholders and coordinate the delivery of a project/plan in a broad ranging multi-disciplinary team.

Judgement & Problem Solving

Proven High capacity for innovative and committed delivery of organisational and team improvement.

High level understanding of quality and compliance management systems.

Advanced Computer Literacy (Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams, Project/Planner, Outlook, Word, Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint) essential. Consideration for AI use to optimise, and associated risks.

Benefits of the role

Based out of Cairns, Tully, Innisfail or Atherton.

Full Time Permanent (36.25 hours per week) – Part-time negotiable.

Flexible working arrangements including working from home.

Positive workplace culture.

5 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading.

Access to Employee Assistance Program.

Attractive renumeration from $103,790- $112,344 (based on 72.5 hours per fortnight).

Salary sacrificing available.

Applications close Monday 16 June 2025 at 9:00 AM (AEST).

Next steps:
To be considered for shortlisting, please submit a resume, your cover letter and respond to the six areas of the selection criteria.

To find out more about Terrain and why it is such a great place to work, you can download the application kit at www.terrain.org.au/about-us/employment

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We are committed to creating a workplace that values and celebrates cultural diversity, and we actively support the employment and career development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Email your questions to [email protected]

Applicants must apply via our website:
www.terrain.org.au/about-us/employment