Executive Director Strategy and Governance

Full-Time, Hybrid

Max Term Contract (2-Year)

The Organisation

As Australia’s only national bird conservation charity, we are on a mission to put birds and nature on the path to recovery within a decade, leading and facilitating action that halts nature loss and restores landscapes. We can only achieve this with the help and support afforded to us by our diverse stakeholders including supporters, campaigners, donors, members and like-minded conservation organisations.

BirdLife Australia takes a science and evidence-based approach to bird conservation. Where strong conservation plans are in place and well-resourced the evidence tells us that threatened species can be brought back from the brink of extinction. With a 100-plus year history and Australia’s strongest and longest-lived collection of data and surveys, BirdLife Australia brings a wealth of observation and experience to the protection of local Australian birds.

BirdLife Australia is a diverse organisation with more than 460,000 supporters, donors, volunteers, campaigners and members, over 140 staff across Australia, and a network of more than 40 voluntary community groups. BirdLife Australia is truly local to global, with a network of staff, volunteers and branches on the ground in Australia, and is the Australian partner of the BirdLife International, the world’s largest partnership for conservation.

Our growing network of people generously give their time, expertise, voice and financial support, standing together with us to help protect Australia’s unique birdlife.

A significant part of BirdLife Australia’s work is done by volunteers. Our staff value and understand the contribution made by our volunteers, and are also mindful of their varying skills, interests and motivations.

BirdLife Australia acknowledges the important role First Nations People throughout Australia have played, and continue to play, caring for Country. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community and pay respect to Traditional Owners and their cultures, and to their Elders both past and present. BirdLife Australia endeavours to facilitate the further engagement of Indigenous Australians in the research and conservation of our native birds.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a strategic, values-driven leader to join BirdLife Australia as our Executive Director Strategy and Governance. This pivotal role ensures that the organisation’s strategic initiatives align with its mission and values and that governance practices meet the highest standards of accountability and transparency.

The Executive Director will also play a key role in cultivating a positive, high-performance organisational culture, driving process optimisation, and embedding robust quality standards across the organisation. The incumbent will work closely with the CEO, the Board, and the Executive Leadership Team to strengthen BirdLife Australia’s governance and strategic impact.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of BirdLife Australia’s strategic plan.

Lead annual business planning to ensure organisational priorities align with resources and strategic objectives.

Drive organisational process improvements, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation frameworks.

Manage and maintain strong governance frameworks, supporting the Board in risk management, policy development, and performance oversight.

Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, donors, partners, and community groups.

Represent BirdLife Australia in high-level external forums, promoting our strategic priorities.

Oversee performance reporting and use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and drive organisational improvement.

Identify and promote innovative approaches to strategic planning and governance.

About You

We are looking for a collaborative and strategic leader with:

Extensive senior executive leadership experience, with proven capability in strategic planning and governance.

Strong governance knowledge, including legal, regulatory, and organisational best practices.

Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and drive cultural and operational excellence.

Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across diverse sectors and audiences.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

Alignment with BirdLife Australia’s mission, values, and a genuine commitment to conservation.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

Tertiary qualifications in Business Management, Public Administration, Natural Resource Management or a related field.

Significant experience in strategy development and governance leadership.

Demonstrated experience in cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management.

Desirable:

Experience in the not-for-profit, environmental, or community sector.

Expertise in risk management and policy development.

Familiarity with member-based organisations.

Work Style and Attributes

Thinks strategically, with the ability to align teams and resources to long-term goals.

Builds strong partnerships and drives collaboration across diverse functions.

Demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and composure in a changing environment.

Champions continuous improvement, innovation, and creative problem-solving.

Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a safe and respectful workplace.

Leads with authenticity, empathy, and integrity.

Applications close at midnight, Friday, 4 July 2025.

Your application must include a cover letter, a statement briefly addressing the selection criteria, and your current resume.

For any technical queries related to the position, please contact Kate Millar, Chief Executive Officer at [email protected] and for general queries please contact Geeta Rana, Senior Manager People and Safety at [email protected]

BirdLife Australia is an equal opportunity employer

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, people living with disabilities, and those of all genders and sexualities.