Sugar Research Australia (SRA) is the specialist research organisation for the Australian sugarcane industry, established in 2013 as a company owned by growers and millers.

Working closely with growers, millers and service providers, SRA delivers meaningful research impact on the ground through an extensive network of research farms, laboratories and offices spanning ten locations from Meringa in North Queensland to Broadwater in northern Recent South Wales.

SRA is the declared Industry Services Body for the Australian sugarcane industry, managing close to $40 million in research, development and adoption investment with a team of around 135 people, supported by casuals during peak seasons. Its purpose is to be the science leader, partnering with industry and government to lift sugarcane productivity, with an aim to increase productivity (Tonnes Sugar per Hectare) by 10% by 2031.

The Opportunity

SRA is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next five-year strategic plan and deliver on this productivity ambition. Reporting to the Board through the Chair, and leading the Senior Leadership Team, the CEO will provide strategic leadership, drive overall organisational success and ensure effective decision-making at the highest level.

A primary focus of the role is to develop and communicate a compelling vision and long-term strategy for SRA, taking an industry-centric approach to research, expanding domestic and potentially global partnerships, and increasing opportunities for commercialisation and co-investment.

About You

You will be an experienced CEO/MD/GM with a background in R&D; organisations and a proven record of delivering applied technology to end users, understanding how to translate agricultural R&D; into technologies that are adopted in practice, with value propositions that work for growers, millers, government funding providers and communities. Sugar industry experience is preferred but not essential.

Key responsibilities include





- Developing and communicating a compelling long-term strategy to implement SRA's five-year R&D; plan.
- Collaborating with the Senior Leadership Team and Board to set strategic goals and performance metrics that drive growth and profitability for the Australian sugarcane industry.
- Overseeing day-to-day operations and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Driving financial sustainability through effective budget management, monitoring of key financial indicators and identification of revenue opportunities.
- Building strong relationships with levy payers, government, industry and research partners to enhance SRA's reputation and market presence.
- Fostering innovation, product development and market expansion to position SRA as a leader in R&D; for the industry.
- Maintaining strong corporate governance, effective Board relations and robust risk management.
- Attracting, developing and retaining a high-performing, diverse leadership team.

You will bring

- A proactive mindset, a willingness to take calculated risks and a readiness to take a leadership role in co-developing the industry's R&D; direction.
- A track record of executing organisational strategy with discipline and focus.
- Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative teams, both internal and external, within clear programme management frameworks.
- The ability to influence broad stakeholder groups to gain strategic alignment and break through R&D; silos in pursuit of collective results.
- Strong business acumen, financial performance and change management experience.
- A relevant bachelor's degree (business, finance, economics, agricultural science or a related discipline) and graduate or membership of AICD or a similar governance body.
- A current driver's licence.

To apply, please lodge your application via the link in this advertisement. For specific enquiries, please contact Bel Hissey at *@derwentsearch.com.au referencing 34648.

Applications close: Wednesday 7 October 2026.

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Brisbane)
🏢 Derwent Search
📍 Brisbane