Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

• Reports to: Chair & Board of Directors.
• Commitment: 0.4 FTE, approximately 2 days per week.
• Term: initial 12 months.
• Remuneration: negotiated based on experience.

Before you apply: you must be based in Australia, and you must have significant experience in fisheries, seafood, natural resource management, industry representation or a related field.

Overview

Tuna Australia is seeking an experienced Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership and representation for Australia’s Commonwealth-managed tuna longline fishing sector. Reporting to the Chair and Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will lead Tuna Australia’s strategic advocacy and industry representation and maintain strong relationships with members, government and key stakeholders.

About Tuna Australia

Tuna Australia represents fishing businesses operating across Australia’s Commonwealth-managed tuna and billfish fisheries, with a particular focus on the commercial tuna longline sector.

Tuna Australia works closely with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Department of Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Water (DEECCW)/Parks Australia, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), other government departments, state governments, research organisations and seafood industry bodies.

Position Objective

The Chief Executive Officer will provide strategic leadership, industry representation and executive management of Tuna Australia on behalf of the Board.

The role will focus on representing members with government, fisheries management agencies and key stakeholders; providing strategic advice to the Board; maintaining effective governance and financial oversight; and responding to emerging issues affecting Australia’s tuna longline fishing sector.

The Chief Executive Officer will be supported by a full-time Program Manager responsible for project delivery, research coordination, sustainability programs and externally funded and fee-for-service activities. This allows the Chief Executive Officer to concentrate primarily on strategic leadership, advocacy, policy and industry representation.

Key Responsibilities

Fisheries Management and Industry Representation

• Represent Tuna Australia with AFMA, DAFF and other relevant agencies and participate in key fisheries management and advisory forums, including SBTMAC, TTMAC and TTRAG.
• Coordinate Tuna Australia’s strategic engagement on Regional Fisheries Management Organisation matters affecting Australian tuna fisheries.

Government, Policy and Advocacy

• Maintain constructive relationships with government agencies, Ministers and advisers, seafood industry organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Identify emerging policy and regulatory issues affecting members and develop appropriate industry positions, submissions, ministerial briefs and strategic correspondence.
• Lead Tuna Australia’s advocacy on Commonwealth Marine Parks and marine spatial planning, including fishing access, displacement, structural adjustment and the cumulative impacts of competing marine uses.

Marine Stewardship Council

• Provide strategic oversight of Tuna Australia’s MSC-certified fisheries, including certification priorities and risks, engagement with MSC and Conformity Assessment Bodies, and opportunities to increase the commercial value of certification.
• Work with the Program Manager to ensure operational requirements associated with reassessments and surveillance audits are effectively delivered.
• Work with the Board, members and Program Manager to identify research and development priorities and opportunities that improve the sustainability, profitability and resilience of the tuna longline sector.
• Maintain strategic relationships with FRDC, AFMA and research organisations and support the development of research partnerships, external funding and other opportunities that contribute to Tuna Australia’s objectives and financial sustainability.

Workforce and Labour

Represent Tuna Australia on workforce matters affecting members, including the Fishing Industry Labour Agreement, skilled migration, visa pathways and related Commonwealth policy.

Communications and Media

• Maintain effective communication with members and stakeholders and act as a principal spokesperson for Tuna Australia where appropriate.
• Oversee strategic media and industry communications and maintain Tuna Australia’s reputation as a constructive, evidence-based and credible representative of Australia’s commercial tuna industry.

Governance and Financial Oversight

Working with the Chair, Board and Program Manager: implement Board decisions and strategic priorities; support Board meetings and Annual General Meetings; oversee budgets, financial performance and organisational risk; maintain appropriate governance processes; and ensure activities remain aligned with Tuna Australia’s Strategic Plan, member priorities and financial capacity.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will ideally demonstrate:

• Significant experience in fisheries, seafood, natural resource management, industry representation or a related field.
• A sound understanding of Commonwealth fisheries management and policy.
• Demonstrated ability to represent industry interests and engage effectively with government and senior decision-makers.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgement and advocacy skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including policy submissions and briefing material.
• Strong stakeholder and relationship-management capability.
• An understanding of fisheries research, sustainability and industry development.
• Experience working with a Board or industry organisation.
• The ability to prioritise complex issues, work independently and effectively utilise the support of the Program Manager.

Highly Desirable Experience

Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following would be highly regarded:

• Australia’s tuna longline fishing sector.
• AFMA management and advisory processes.
• Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.
• Marine Stewardship Council certification.
• Commonwealth Marine Parks and marine spatial planning.
• FRDC and fisheries research programs.
• Fishing Industry Labour Agreements, skilled migration and workforce policy.
• Government relations, media and commercial fishing industry advocacy.

Performance

Performance priorities will be agreed with the Board and reviewed during the initial 12-month appointment. Key measures will include effective industry representation and advocacy, stakeholder relationships, strategic oversight of Tuna Australia’s priority programs, communication with members and Directors, financial and governance performance, and effective collaboration with the Program Manager.

Terms and Working Arrangements

The position will initially be offered for 12 months, with continuation subject to organisational requirements, financial capacity and performance.

The role will be based around approximately two days per week, with flexibility to accommodate fisheries meetings, government engagement, travel and periods of increased activity.

Working arrangements and remuneration will be negotiated with the successful candidate. Reasonable approved travel and business expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Tuna Australia’s policies.

How to Apply

Please apply through SEEK by 14 September and provide: a brief covering letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the position, consistent with the job description; a current CV; and contact details for two professional referees.

For further information or a confidential discussion regarding the position, please contact Mr Ian Cartwright.

More information and application: https://au.seek.com/job/94207486?ref=cm-ui