Chief Operating Officer

• Longreach, Queensland (Relocation support provided)
• 3-year fixed term (possible extension)
• Protect the Lake Eyre Basin for Future Generations

The Company
Our Client, Desert Channels Queensland, (DCQ), is the leading natural resource management body for the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin. Its mission is clear: to safeguard and enhance the soil, water, pastures, and biodiversity that make this region unique. Working in partnership with landholders, graziers, local councils, Traditional Owners, and communities, the organisation delivers projects that create lasting impact across 51 million hectares of Southern and Central West Queensland.

The Role
In this newly created Chief Operating Officer (COO) role, based in Longreach, you will lead DCQ’s day-to-day operations and program delivery, partnering with the CEO to translate strategy into action. The role directly supports DCQ’s mission to support rangelands management to enable sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation and effective environmental management of natural resources, optimising productivity and resilience for current and future generations.

Working closely with managers and a geographically dispersed team, you will build a skilled, connected and empowered workforce and foster a culture of strong leadership, governance and strategic innovation. You will also build trusted partnerships and facilitate active, meaningful community involvement, helping strengthen the resilience of landscapes and communities through DCQ’s work with funders, partners, Traditional Owners, landholders, regional stakeholders and communities.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of DCQ’s NRM project portfolio, ensuring milestones, budgets, contract requirements and outcomes are met.
• Strengthen operational systems, processes and reporting to support consistent, high-quality delivery across a large, remote region.
• Provide leadership to managers and teams, building capability, performance, wellbeing and a values-aligned culture.
• Oversee governance, risk, compliance and WHS obligations, proactively identifying and managing operational and project risks.
• Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, performance measures and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build effective relationships with funders, partners, Traditional Owners, landholders, community and government stakeholders; represent DCQ as required.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation and reporting (including platforms such as MERIT) and ensure timely, accurate reporting to the CEO, Board and funding bodies.
• Promote knowledge transfer and adoption of sustainable grazing and land management practices, and uphold DCQ policies, procedures and Code of Conduct.

About You
You are a strategically minded operational leader with a strong track record of delivering outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You lead with a people-first approach, building accountable teams and ensuring robust governance, risk, WHS and reporting practices. Collaborative by nature, you build trusted relationships with landholders, Traditional Owners, government and community stakeholders to achieve practical, place-based outcomes for sustainable rangelands and resilient communities.

Visible, approachable and consistent, you bring credibility in rural contexts, take time to listen, and act with cultural awareness. Adaptable and resilient, you navigate ambiguity with confidence and align closely with DCQ’s mission, advocating for best-practice natural resource management in the Lake Eyre Basin.

Required Skills & Proficiencies

• Tertiary qualifications in natural resource management, environmental science, agriculture, business management or a related discipline (desirable), supported by relevant experience in Australian NRM.
• Demonstrated experience in senior operational or program leadership roles, managing complex, multi-funded projects through teams, partners or contractors.
• Strong understanding of natural resource management issues relevant to rangelands, including soil, pasture, water and biodiversity, and practical strategies to address them.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor and develop teams, building a positive organisational culture and high levels of performance and accountability.
• Demonstrated capacity to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including landholders, community groups, Traditional Owners, government agencies and industry partners.
• Well-developed strategic thinking, planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into operational delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in report writing, data analysis and presentation of information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to utilise corporate and project management systems, including Microsoft Office, cloud-based platforms and government reporting systems (e.g. MERIT), or the capacity to quickly develop this capability.
• A current Queensland C Class Driver’s Licence is mandatory.

Additional Requirements
The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate knowledge or the ability to quickly acquire an understanding of:

• Contemporary natural resource management issues relevant to the Desert Channels region
• The operational and environmental challenges specific to remote, arid, and semi-arid landscapes
• Indigenous land management practices, cultural awareness, and respectful engagement with Traditional Owners

Travel within the region will include driving on unsealed roads and in remote environments, hence, experience in four-wheel driving would be an advantage.

Rewards & Culture
For those passionate about environmental sustainability, rural communities, and land stewardship, the opportunity to join DCQ offers both a meaningful professional challenge and a fulfilling lifestyle in a close-knit outback setting. Relocating to Longreach offers the opportunity to live and work at the heart of one of Australia’s most iconic and ecologically important regions. With a strong sense of community, rich cultural heritage, and a landscape unlike anywhere else, Longreach provides an exceptional lifestyle for individuals and families alike.

Some of the additional key benefits include:

• Relocation and rental accommodation support (tailored to individual needs)
• 4 weeks annual leave
• 12.75% super, remote area tax concessions and salary sacrifice options
• 4WD vehicle provided for work travel and personal use

How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or to review the information pack and full PD please contact Claire Black on 0407 821 086 or via claire@talentnation.com.au

Apply now by submitting your current CV and cover letter addressing the required skills and proficiencies, (including additional requirements), in Word format via our online application process. Please note applications will be assessed as they are received so please do not delay in applying. Applications will close Friday at 5pm (AEST), 29th May 2026.

To be eligible to apply, you must have unrestricted rights to work in Australia. Applicants may also be required to complete psychometric and background assessments.

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.