Head of the Australian Climate Service
The Head of the Australian Climate Service leads a nationally significant, multi-agency capability that brings together climate and natural hazard data, intelligence and expertise to support better national planning, preparedness, response, recovery and resilience.
Reporting to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Chief Executive Officer, the role provides strategic and operational leadership of the Australian Climate Service, including its partnership model, governance arrangements, future strategy, delivery performance, stakeholder relationships and reputation.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior executive with outstanding customer, stakeholder and partner engagement skills, a strong service and solution-oriented mindset, and a demonstrated record of delivering major programs in complex multi-agency and multi-customer environments. They will be able to work effectively across Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry and the community, and communicate with influence from technical experts through to the highest levels of government.
The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
1. Lead the strategic direction and long-term evolution of the Australian Climate Service, positioning the Service to address emerging national priorities and maximise its impact on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience.
2. Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Australian Climate Service, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes and the effective stewardship of resources in alignment with government priorities and governance expectations.
3. Lead collaboration across decision-makers, partners and stakeholders to establish clear goals, outputs, delivery plans, monitoring and reporting systems, and regular review and improvement processes.
4. Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior leaders across government, industry, research and the broader climate risk ecosystem, providing authoritative strategic advice and leading engagement that strengthens confidence in the Australian Climate Service, shapes national priorities and maximises the impact and value of its capability.
5. Provide stewardship of Australia's climate risk information capability, including promoting nationally consistent approaches, standards, frameworks and partnerships that improve the quality, accessibility and use of climate risk information.
6. Coach, mentor and lead Australian Climate Service team members and partner contributors to operate as an effective, collaborative and high-performing unit.
7. Drive organisational performance, capability, workforce planning and resource stewardship to ensure the Australian Climate Service remains effective, sustainable and positioned to meet future demands.
8. Lead strategic risk management and assurance activities, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to delivery, stakeholder confidence and the Service’s reputation, including managing interdependencies and resolving complex issues.
9. Lead the team in complying with Bureau work health and safety requirements and model ongoing commitment to the APS Values, Employment Principles, Code of Conduct, diversity and inclusion.
10. Complying with all bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct.
Qualifications and experience
Mandatory
• Demonstrated SES Band 2 leadership in complex public sector, science, policy, data or service delivery environments.
• Proven ability to set strategic direction, influence senior decision-makers and deliver outcomes of national significance.
• Experience leading across organisational boundaries to align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities and outcomes.
• Demonstrated capability to establish, mature and steward organisations, systems, partnerships or national capabilities, including governance, risk and assurance arrangements.
• Proven ability to create organisational clarity and direction, translating complex information and competing priorities into practical strategies, decisions and sustained organisational performance.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and lead through complexity, ambiguity, change and organisational growth.
• Demonstrated commitment to APS Values, Employment Principles, integrity, diversity and inclusion, and work health and safety.
Desirable
• Experience in climate risk, natural hazards, resilience, environmental management, public policy, science, technology, data or related fields.
• Experience leading or contributing to the establishment, maturation or stewardship of a national capability, major partnership, networked organisation or complex multi-agency initiative.
• Experience working across Commonwealth, state and territory governments, including influencing policy, investment, operational or service delivery outcomes.
• Experience translating evidence, analysis and stakeholder insights into strategic direction, priorities, frameworks or decision-making guidance.
• Experience engaging effectively with industry, research organisations, communities and other stakeholders to support outcomes of national significance.