General Manager Operations

About the organisation

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is entrusted with safeguarding and managing one of Australia’s most celebrated coastal regions. Its responsibilities span parks, reserves and marine areas along the Great Ocean Road, including visitor destinations of international significance. In partnership with Traditional Owners, local communities and other stakeholders, the organisation works to protect environmental, cultural and heritage values while enabling sustainable visitation and long-term conservation.

Role overview

The Authority is looking for a seasoned and forward-thinking General Manager Operations to drive the integration, efficiency and overall performance of operational delivery across the organisation. Reporting to the Director Land and Marine Management, this senior leadership position will oversee a unified and high-performing operating model across coastal and park management functions.

A major focus of the role is to lead the move of National Park management responsibilities into GORCAPA’s operating structure, making sure systems, teams, processes and service delivery are aligned and work seamlessly together. The role is central to building a “one system” approach that connects environmental management, emergency response, infrastructure, visitor services and asset management to achieve safe, sustainable and high-quality outcomes across this important landscape.

This appointment is a fixed-term position for 2 years.

Key responsibilities

• Bring together coastal and park operations into a single, coordinated operating model.
• Direct the transition of National Park management functions into GORCAPA’s business environment.
• Turn strategic goals into practical, consistent and effective operational delivery.
• Guide and monitor the performance of several operational managers.
• Improve service delivery through standardisation, optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Maintain close alignment across environmental services, emergency response, infrastructure and visitor operations.
• Oversee operational risk, budgeting and resource deployment across multiple service areas.
• Build organisational capability, accountability and a strong performance culture.
• Work collaboratively with Traditional Owners, government bodies and community stakeholders.
• Contribute to emergency preparedness and coordinated response activity.

Requirements

• A tertiary qualification in environmental management, planning, engineering or another relevant discipline.
• More than 10 years of senior leadership experience in complex operational settings.
• Background working within government or statutory authority environments.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale cross-functional programs and organisational change.
• Ability to convert strategic direction into operational systems and delivery frameworks.
• Experience with operational integration, transformation or continuous improvement work.
• Strong leadership capability, including management of multidisciplinary teams.
• Working knowledge of coastal, environmental or public land management contexts.
• Well-developed stakeholder engagement and influencing abilities.
• Strong capability in financial, resource and project management.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making and risk management skills.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and give evidence-based advice to senior executives.

Why join this role

• Take on a senior role shaping the future of one of Australia’s most important coastal regions.
• Help protect and sustainably manage more than 150,000 hectares of coastal and marine environments.
• Work alongside Traditional Owners, communities and key stakeholders.
• Lead significant organisational change and large-scale operational integration.
• Join a purpose-led organisation focused on environmental stewardship, cultural recognition and sustainable tourism.
• Contribute to outcomes that will matter for both current and future generations.

Additional information

Applications close on 24 June 2026 at 9:00 AM.

This is a fixed-term role for 2 years. The notice also references a 1-year fixed-term period in the role summary; applicants should review the position description for clarification.

The organisation states that everyone is welcome and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, welcoming people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, disabilities and sexual orientations. It also acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which it works and lives, and pays respect to Elders past and present.