The Organisation

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is the voice for Australia’s ocean. We are Australia’s leading ocean and coastal conservation organisation and one of the founding members of Australia’s conservation movement.

We are a community of ocean lovers across the nation, working to protect our precious marine wildlife and secure healthy seas. As an independent charity, our team of expert advocates and campaigners work daily to safeguard Australia’s ocean and coasts.

Our Strategic Plan 2026–2030 sets out five goals: driving climate action for the ocean, protecting threatened species and habitats, safeguarding critical places, building support for our ocean, and strengthening AMCS as an effective and sustainable organisation.

Location: Preference for Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth, where AMCS has main office locations and a hybrid work setup. Flexible arrangements may be considered elsewhere within Australia.

Hours: 1.0 Full-Time (38 hours per week)

Salary: AMCS Salary Classification Guide Level 7, aligned with the Level 7 Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. Salary circa $120,000–$130,000 per annum, plus superannuation.

Contract Period: Permanent, ongoing role.

The Role

The Campaigns Director is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and leading AMCS campaigns that deliver measurable conservation and policy outcomes for Australia’s ocean and coasts.

The Director ensures that campaigns are strategically aligned, impactful and financially sustainable, while providing leadership that empowers staff, engages partners and strengthens AMCS’s reputation as a trusted national conservation organisation.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the leadership team, the Director oversees multiple campaign areas, including climate and ocean resilience, threatened species protection (including fishing impacts), plastic pollution prevention and habitat conservation.

This is a key role in turning AMCS’ vision of “a thriving ocean for a healthy planet” into tangible outcomes for Australia’s marine life and communities.

Reporting and Accountability

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Campaign Managers and campaign staff.

Leadership team: The Campaign Director is a member of the AMCS Senior Management Team, contributing to whole-of-organisation strategy, governance, risk management and culture.

For more information on our teams, see our People page.

Travel

The role requires regular travel within Australia, and occasional international travel, for campaign, partnership and advocacy purposes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deliver AMCS’ Mission and Strategy

Lead campaigns that advance AMCS’ Strategic Plan goals.

Translate AMCS’ vision into measurable conservation and policy outcomes.

Ensure campaigns are strategic, evidence-based, adaptable, and credible at national and international levels.

2. People and Team Leadership

Lead, mentor and manage staff, fostering high performance and collaboration.

Build inclusive, values-driven teams with a focus on wellbeing and accountability.

Guide teams through change with clear communication and direction.

3. Partnerships, Advocacy and Influence

Build strong partnerships with governments, First Nations partners, NGOs, scientists, economic actors and communities.

Embed AMCS’ reconciliation commitments across campaigns.

Set and model AMCS’ advocacy tone and approach; act as a credible spokesperson in media and public debate.

Influence policy at state, national and global levels.

4. Organisational Leadership and Collaboration

Contribute as part of the AMCS Senior Management Team to strategy, governance and risk management.

Integrate campaigns with fundraising, communications and supporter engagement.

Foster collaboration across portfolios to reduce silos and share accountability.

5. Governance and Accountability

Ensure campaigns are values-driven, compliant and ethical.

Manage policy engagement, advocacy risks and organisational reporting.

Meet funder requirements (including financial oversight), deliver outputs and uphold high standards of accountability.

6. Fundraising and Growth

Secure and manage campaign resources through grants, philanthropy and partnerships.

Represent AMCS to donors and funders, ensuring financial sustainability of portfolios.

7. Innovation and Adaptability

Champion innovative campaigning and engagement approaches.

Adapt resources and priorities to respond to emerging threats and opportunities.

Position AMCS as a forward-looking leader nationally and internationally.

Eligibility

Right to work in Australia (citizen, permanent resident, or valid work visa).

Willingness to travel nationally and occasionally internationally.

Commitment to AMCS’ mission, values, and non-partisan independence.

Selection Criteria

1. Leadership and People Management

At least 5 years’ senior management experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.

Proven ability to mentor, motivate and manage high-performing individuals and teams through growth and change.

Tertiary qualifications (management, environmental science, political science, public policy or related field) or equivalent experience.

2. Campaign Leadership and Strategy

Demonstrated track record of leading teams to deliver multiple successful campaigns achieving measurable legislative, policy or behavioural change, in environmental or other advocacy fields.

Political acumen to navigate complex policy and stakeholder environments.

Experience aligning campaign outcomes with organisational strategy.

3. Advocacy, Influence and Partnerships

High-level advocacy and negotiation experience with government, industry and multilateral forums.

Skilled at building partnerships with First Nations leaders and with diverse stakeholders..

Recognised as a credible and influential spokesperson.

4. Organisational Contribution

Demonstrated ability to integrate campaigns with communications, fundraising and supporter engagement.

Proven contribution to cross-organisational leadership, shaping strategy and culture.

Financial literacy and experience managing campaign funding.

Managerial acumen and experience in complex environments.

5. Knowledge and Expertise

Strong understanding of Australian marine conservation and environmental policy.

Knowledge, fluency and competency across a broad range of pertinent subject matter (e.g. climate, energy, biodiversity, fisheries, plastics, marine parks).

Familiarity with international conservation debates and positioning within global movements.

6. Values and Commitment

Alignment with AMCS values of integrity, courage, passion, solidarity, effectiveness and innovation.

Commitment to reconciliation and respectful partnership with First Nations peoples.

Ability to uphold independence, credibility and non-partisanship.

How to apply

Please submit the following via SEEK:

A cover letter (max 1 page) outlining your interest in the role.

A current CV.

Applications close: 5:00 pm 14 November 2025.

The full Position Description is attached to this advertisement.

Any questions please contact: Ivan on 0402 592 470