The Head of the Australian Climate Service leads a nationally significant, multi-agency capability that brings together climate and natural hazard data, intelligence and expertise to support better national planning, preparedness, response, recovery and resilience.

Reporting to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Chief Executive Officer, the role provides strategic and operational leadership of the Australian Climate Service, including its partnership model, governance arrangements, future strategy, delivery performance, stakeholder relationships and reputation.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior executive with outstanding customer, stakeholder and partner engagement skills, a robust service and solution-oriented mindset, and a demonstrated record of delivering major programs in complex multi-agency and multi-customer environments. They will be able to work effectively across Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry and the community, and communicate with influence from technical experts through to the highest levels of government.

The key duties of the position include:

The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

1. Lead the strategic direction and long-term evolution of the Australian Climate Service, positioning the Service to address emerging national priorities and maximise its impact on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience.

2. Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Australian Climate Service, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes and the effective stewardship of resources in alignment with government priorities and governance expectations.

3. Lead collaboration across decision-makers, partners and stakeholders to establish clear goals, outputs, delivery plans, monitoring and reporting systems, and regular review and improvement processes.

4. Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior leaders across government, industry, research and the broader climate risk ecosystem, providing authoritative strategic advice and leading engagement that strengthens confidence in the Australian Climate Service, shapes national priorities and maximises the impact and value of its capability.

5. Provide stewardship of Australia's climate risk information capability, including promoting nationally consistent approaches, standards, frameworks and partnerships that improve the quality,



accessibility and use of climate risk information.

6. Coach, mentor and lead Australian Climate Service team members and partner contributors to operate as an effective, collaborative and high-performing unit.

7. Drive organisational performance, capability, workforce planning and resource stewardship to ensure the Australian Climate Service remains effective, sustainable and positioned to meet future demands.

8. Lead strategic risk management and assurance activities, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to delivery, stakeholder confidence and the Service’s reputation, including managing interdependencies and resolving complex issues.

9. Lead the team in complying with Bureau work health and safety requirements and model ongoing commitment to the APS Values, Employment Principles, Code of Conduct, diversity and inclusion.

10. Complying with all bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct.

Eligibility

Qualifications and experience

Mandatory

• Demonstrated SES Band 2 leadership in complex public sector, science, policy, data or service delivery environments.

• Proven ability to set strategic direction, influence senior decision-makers and deliver outcomes of national significance.

• Experience leading across organisational boundaries to align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities and outcomes.

• Demonstrated capability to establish, mature and steward organisations, systems, partnerships or national capabilities, including governance, risk and assurance arrangements.

• Proven ability to create organisational clarity and direction, translating complex information and competing priorities into practical strategies, decisions and sustained organisational performance.

• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and lead through complexity, ambiguity, change and organisational growth.

• Demonstrated commitment to APS Values,



Employment Principles, integrity, diversity and inclusion, and work health and safety.

Desirable

• Experience in climate risk, natural hazards, resilience, environmental management, public policy, science, technology, data or related fields.

• Experience leading or contributing to the establishment, maturation or stewardship of a national capability, major partnership, networked organisation or complex multi-agency initiative.

• Experience working across Commonwealth, state and territory governments, including influencing policy, investment, operational or service delivery outcomes.

• Experience translating evidence, analysis and stakeholder insights into strategic direction, priorities, frameworks or decision-making guidance.

• Experience engaging effectively with industry, research organisations, communities and other stakeholders to support outcomes of national significance.

Getting to know the Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology is one of the few organisations that touches the lives of all Australians and all Australia, every day. The Bureau works across Australia and remote islands, providing services from the Antarctic to beyond the equator, and from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. We are Australia's national weather, climate and water agency, in the Agriculture, Water and Environment portfolio of the Australian Government, operating under the authority of the Meteorology Act 1955 and the Water Act 2007. We provide data, information, knowledge, insight and wisdom to help Australians prepare and respond to the realities of their natural environment, including droughts, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones. Our products and services include observations, forecasts, analysis and advice covering Australia's atmosphere, water, oceans and space environments. We undertake focused scientific research in support of our operations and services. Through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice, we provide one of Australia's most fundamental and widely used public services. We have strong relationships with our customers, partners and stakeholders in Australia, including the Australian Community and the emergency services sectors, all-levels of Government, and focus sectors including aviation, agriculture, energy and resources, national security and water.

📌 Head of the Australian Climate Service (Perth)
🏢 Bureau Of Meteorology
📍 Perth