- Senior leadership role shaping regional natural resource management outcomes
- Lead Reef Catchments' Land & Water portfolio across the region
- Requires relocation to Mackay or Proserpine QLD

The Organisation

Our client, Reef Catchments is the natural resource management (NRM) organisation for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. They work with landholders, Traditional Owners, industry, community groups, researchers and government to improve the region's land, water and biodiversity. Their projects deliver practical, on-ground outcomes. Whether it is improving water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef, restoring wetlands and habitats, supporting sustainable agriculture, or helping local communities care for the environment, they are focused on projects that make a real difference across our region.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Program Director, Land and Water provides strategic leadership, portfolio governance and delivery assurance across Reef Catchments’ Land and Water program. The role leads Managers and program teams to translate strategic priorities and funding commitments into coordinated, safe and effective delivery with measurable regional outcomes.

This is a broad senior leadership role combining strategy, program and project assurance, financial oversight, people leadership, investment development and high-level stakeholder engagement.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

- Provide strategic direction and leadership across the Land and Water portfolio, including Waterways, Sustainable Agriculture and other allocated functions.
- Oversee complex programs and projects, ensuring scope, budgets, schedules, milestones, resources, risks and funding obligations are effectively managed.
- Provide evidence-based advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board on performance, emerging issues, risks, opportunities and investment priorities.
- Lead portfolio governance, delivery assurance, risk, compliance, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
- Identify and progress strategically aligned funding and investment opportunities, including proposals, business cases and delivery models.




- Build trusted senior relationships and represent Reef Catchments with government, funders, Traditional Owners, landholders, industry, research organisations and regional partners.

About You

You are an experienced senior leader who can think strategically while maintaining clear oversight of complex operational delivery. You bring sound judgement, strong governance and commercial awareness, and the ability to lead through complexity and change without becoming unnecessarily involved in routine operational decisions. Equally you will excel at leading people and empowering others to do their best work. You are known for your ability to build trust and genuine relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and can translate technical, financial and governance information into clear priorities and decisions.

Natural resource management or related environmental, agricultural or regional-development experience is highly regarded, as is knowledge of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region and experience engaging with Traditional Owners.

Required Skills and Proficiencies

- Relevant tertiary qualification in natural resource management, environmental science, agriculture, waterway management, project or program management, business, leadership or equivalent substantial professional experience.
- Demonstrated senior leadership experience across complex, multidisciplinary programs or portfolios.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor and uplift capability of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience overseeing multiple projects, budgets, funding agreements, delivery teams and stakeholder relationships.
- Strong capability in program governance, risk management, compliance and delivery assurance.
- Experience in workforce planning, people leadership, organisational change and capability development.




- Demonstrated ability to build senior relationships with government, funders, industry, landholders, delivery partners and community stakeholders.
- High-level communication, negotiation, judgement and decision-making skills.
- Ability to develop and evaluate funding proposals, business cases, project plans, budgets and performance reports, and interpret complex grants and contracts.

The Rewards and Culture

This is an opportunity to join Reef Catchments’ Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of a significant regional natural resource management portfolio. This influential role offers the chance to guide strategic investment, strengthen delivery and partnerships, build organisational capability, and achieve lasting environmental and community outcomes across the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region.

Reef Catchments offers a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where people work together to solve complex problems, build trusted partnerships and deliver practical results. Diverse perspectives and experience are valued, supporting better decisions and stronger outcomes for the region. This is a role where you can see the tangible impact of your leadership and contribution.

You will contribute to meaningful environmental and community outcomes while being supported by a range of benefits designed to promote flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth.

Benefits include:

- Five weeks’ annual leave, additional leave over Christmas and flexible working arrangements.
- Career development and progression opportunities, including up to $2,000 per year for professional development.
- Team building and wellbeing initiatives.
- Retention incentives after three, five and seven years of continuous service.

To be eligible to apply, you must have unrestricted rights to work in Australia.

Talent Nation encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex, and genders. Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process, please contact us so we can provide adjustments for you.

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📌 Program Director (Mackay Regional)
🏢 Talent Nation
📍 Mackay Regional