YOUR POSITION WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
The Oceans Program is expanding to deliver a growing portfolio of externally funded restoration projects across multiple geographies, with increasing operational complexity.
This scale of delivery requires strong program level coordination, governance, and integrated management of resources, budgets, and risk.
Historically, delivery has been structured at an individual project level, limiting opportunities for consistent oversight, shared resourcing, and efficient program wide management.
The Operations Manager role has been established to address this, strengthening the systems, processes, and governance that underpin delivery and enabling a more coordinated, scalable approach across the program.
This is a senior role that combines operational leadership, technical expertise in reef restoration, and accountability for large scale program delivery.
It is critical to ensuring the consistency, quality, and impact of shellfish reef restoration across Australia.
The Operations Manager, Reefbuilder Program leads the operational delivery, technical execution, and scaling of complex marine and coastal restoration programs.
The role provides end to end oversight of a portfolio of projects, ensuring strong governance, financial and contractual compliance, and safe field delivery, while contributing technical expertise in reef design, construction, and monitoring.
The position connects program leadership with on ground delivery, enabling high quality, scientifically robust, and scalable restoration outcomes aligned with organisational priorities and funding commitments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
YOUR POSITION WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
The Oceans Program is expanding to deliver a growing portfolio of externally funded restoration projects across multiple geographies, with increasing operational complexity.
This scale of delivery requires strong program level coordination, governance, and integrated management of resources, budgets, and risk.
Historically, delivery has been structured at an individual project level, limiting opportunities for consistent oversight, shared resourcing, and efficient program wide management.
The Operations Manager role has been established to address this, strengthening the systems, processes, and governance that underpin delivery and enabling a more coordinated, scalable approach across the program.
This is a senior role that combines operational leadership, technical expertise in reef restoration, and accountability for large scale program delivery.
It is critical to ensuring the consistency, quality, and impact of shellfish reef restoration across Australia.
The Operations Manager,



Reefbuilder Program leads the operational delivery, technical execution, and scaling of complex marine and coastal restoration programs.
The role provides end to end oversight of a portfolio of projects, ensuring robust governance, financial and contractual compliance, and safe field delivery, while contributing technical expertise in reef design, construction, and monitoring.
The position connects program leadership with on ground delivery, enabling high quality, scientifically robust, and scalable restoration outcomes aligned with organisational priorities and funding commitments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program and Operational Leadership
Oversee day to day operations across all Reefbuilder restoration projects
Establish and refine program wide systems, processes, and governance frameworks for the program portfolio
Lead planning, scheduling, and resource allocation across multiple sites and jurisdictions
Provide operational oversight to ensure consistency, efficiency, and delivery quality
Technical Leadership Shellfish Reef Restoration
Support monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management approaches
Ensure alignment with best available science and ecological outcomes
Guide teams on site selection, permitting considerations, and environmental
Project Delivery and Performance
Manage multiple complex externally funded portfolio concurrently
Track performance and lead continuous improvement across portfolio
Resolve operational challenges and delivery risks
Financial and Contract Management
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight at program level
Ensure compliance with funding agreements and reporting requirements
Support development of project budgets and funding proposals
Monitor cost efficiency across field works and construction
WHS Risk and Compliance
Maintain strong health, safety, and risk management systems for marine and coastal operations
Ensure compliance with permits, marine and coastal regulations, and organisational policies
Oversee contractor and partner safety performance system
Team Leadership and Capability
Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team including project managers and field staff
Support, mentor and enable staff and direct reports




Build technical capability in marine and coastal restoration across the team
Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance development
Foster collaboration across science, operations, and delivery
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
Act as key interface with government, contractors, research institutions, and funders
Support strong partnerships to enable delivery of restoration program
Contribute to stakeholder alignment and program growth
Strategy and Program Growth
Contribute to strategic planning and scaling of restoration activities nationally
Support development of new initiatives and funding opportunities
Identify opportunities to improve delivery models, innovation, and impact
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Degree in marine science, environmental management, engineering, or related discipline
· Significant experience in operations or program management within conservation, NRM, or the not-for-profit sector.
· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and budgets
· Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, support and develop staff, fostering high performance and a positive team culture
· Strong leadership and organisational capability and communication skills
· Proven skills in financial management, reporting, and compliance.
· Experience in health and safety management in field or marine environments
· Experience managing contractors and field delivery
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Experience delivering large scale marine and coastal restoration or infrastructure projects
· Familiarity with Australian permitting and marine regulatory systems
· Experience working with government, research, and non-profit partners
· Understanding of funding models across government, philanthropy, and private sectors
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture.
Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to ****** with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Reef Builder Operations Manager (Sydney)
🏢 The Nature Conservancy
📍 Sydney