Senior Operations Manager | Top End & Operations Manager | Bullo River Posted: 29/06/2026 Closing Date: 31/07/2026 Job Type: Permanent - Full Time Location: Australia - various locations Job Category: Operations About the role The Senior Operations Manager – Top End is a senior leadership role responsible for delivering effective, on‑ground conservation across a portfolio of AWC sites in the Northern Territory. Based from Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs, this position oversees conservation operations at our Bullo River Station Conservation Partnership and provides leadership and support to the Sanctuary Managers at Wongalara and Pungalina. Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager – Central Region, you will lead a remote and diverse team of permanent staff, contractors and casual employees to deliver land management programs safely, efficiently and in line with science‑based strategies.

You will oversee the planning and delivery of fire management, feral animal control, weed control, fencing and infrastructure projects, while preparing and managing operational plans and budgets across the three sites. You will embed strong safety and risk management practices, partner closely with the Science team to ensure activities are informed by AWC's conservation targets, and build productive relationships with private landholder partners, neighbours, government departments and regulatory agencies. You will also support the delivery of visitor and volunteer programmes and contribute to AWC's communications and fundraising activities by sharing stories from the field.

- Getting things done: exceptional planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks efficiently.
- Managing staff: excellent people management skills, including the leadership of, and managing and coordinating remote teams of staff and contractors. This includes monitoring safety of staff when they are working or living alone, and monitoring remote staff travel.
- Working with people:



excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Practical land management and asset management: demonstrated knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including fire management, weed and feral animal control programmes. Demonstrated practical skills managing assets and infrastructure including:
- The planning, supervision and implementation of large‑scale infrastructure projects such as fencing and building; - The planning and delivery of feral eradication programmes both within fenced areas and across unfenced landscapes; - The planning and delivery of prescribed fire programmes, including wildfire response; - The ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment (generators, pumps, power tools, etc.) and perform routine repairs, including mechanical, and maintenance; - 4WD experience in relevant off‑road conditions is essential.
- Financial management: demonstrated ability to deliver projects in a cost‑effective manner and to manage financial resources including:
- Preparing and maintaining a budget; - Coding and tracking expenditure, operating within the budget; - Preparing written financial and operational reports.
- Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to maintain records, manage data, write letters and reports, manage permit/authorisation processes and undertake contract management.
- Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and ‘problem‑solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
- Living in the bush: previous experience of working and living in a rural area,



preferably remote, and the supervision of teams in geographically diverse locations.
- Information technology: advanced ability in using standard business software packages (including Word, email and Excel, MS Project) is essential.
- A passion for conservation: a passion for, or a strong interest in, conservation.
- Willingness to travel.

Qualifications - Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, but is less important than solid, practical experience and a good track record of delivering ‘on‑ground’ results. Licenses, Certificates and/or Training - Valid agricultural machinery licences for machinery such as trucks, tractors and other vehicles/equipment as relevant (or the capacity to readily obtain these licences).

- Firearms licences.
- Senior first aid certificate or the capacity to readily obtain it (remote certification – highly desirable).
- Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check or willingness to obtain. PLEASE NOTE This role can be based in Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs, with regular travel to AWC sanctuaries and partnership sites across the Top End region. AWC has offices in Darwin and Alice Springs, while candidates based in Katherine will be required to work remotely from a home‑based office. AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity. AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.

📌 Senior Operations Manager | Top End & Operations Manager | Bullo River (Katherine)
🏢 Australian Wildlife Conservancy
📍 Katherine