Director Climate, Reslience & Communities

About this role

Lead the strategy that strengthens Victoria's agriculture sector to thrive through climate change, drought and the challenges of tomorrow.

About the role

The Director, Climate, Resilience and Communities is responsible for leading a key policy team to ensuring the agriculture sector continues to grow and prosper in the context of climate change and the drought cycle. It will work to progress key policy and program priorities across both of these areas including in partnership with the Commonwealth government. It will progress policy and advice in these areas specifically while working to inform and contextualise these challenges in the broader agriculture sector in close collaboration with the Strategic Policy and Insights branch.

It will deliver key programs that support the achievement of policy objectives to support integrated policy and program delivery.

About you:

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in policy, economics, science or equivalent would be well regarded.
• A background in or strong understanding of agricultural and/or climate change policy issues is highly desired.

About the Group

Agriculture Victoria partners with farmers, industries, communities, government and research organisations to grow, modernise, protect and promote Victoria's agriculture. Agriculture Victoria forms part of an extensive local, national and international system to protect animal welfare and biosecurity, deliver policy, programs and research to understand emerging agricultural challenges like climate change, manage critical transitions such as forestry industry and food safety reform, promote domestic animal management, and enable economic productivity through innovative farming systems, skills and technologies.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call David Burns, Executive Director, Agriculture Policy and Programs on 0429 263 234 or email david.g.burns@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 11 January 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to:

• undertake pre-employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check

• have their misconduct declarations validated, irrespective of whether misconduct has been declared or not
• provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.
• provide evidence of their right to work in Australia

For more information about the pre-screening requirements for this position, please refer to the position description.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.