Lead the strategic direction and delivery of waterways management across Queensland.

As Executive Director, you’ll oversee critical maritime services including compliance, enforcement, fleet operations, pollution response and state boat harbours, ensuring waterways remain safe, clean and accessible.

Working across government, industry and regional networks, you’ll bring together complex operational and regulatory functions, drive major change initiatives, and provide trusted advice at the highest levels.

The anticipated commencement of this position is late November 2026.

Job details

Lead one of Queensland's most operationally critical and visible service areas.

As Executive Director (Waterways Management), you will be responsible for shaping and delivering how Queensland's waterways are managed, ensuring they remain safe, accessible and environmentally sustainable for communities, industry and visitors alike. This includes oversight of compliance and education programs, maritime enforcement, fleet management, pollution response, and the operation of state boat harbours.

Working closely with the General Manager and senior executives, you will operate at a whole-of-system level, bringing together regional operations, regulatory functions and strategic priorities to deliver consistent outcomes across the state. You will lead a geographically dispersed workforce, partner with Regional Harbour Masters and stakeholders, and represent MSQ in key departmental and intergovernmental forums.

This role offers the opportunity to influence policy direction, drive major change initiatives, and shape how services are delivered across a critical public-facing function. You will also be responsible for managing a significant operational budget, strengthening governance and risk frameworks, and ensuring high-quality, costeffective delivery.

What we're looking for
You are an experienced executive leader who can navigate complexity, bring clarity to competing priorities, and deliver results at scale. You will demonstrate:
• Proven success leading large, multi-disciplinary teams in complex service delivery or regulatory environments
• Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to translate direction into operational outcomes
• Deep understanding of maritime operations, regulatory frameworks, and public sector governance, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across geographically dispersed locations
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing capability across government and external partners
• Sound financial and governance expertise, including oversight of significant budgets and risk
• Experience leading organisational change and driving continuous improvement
• Understanding of vessel and fleet management principles, including certification, maintenance and operational safety

Please note: the anticipated commencement of this position is late November 2026.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.             

Job Ad Reference: QLD/693092/26

Closing Date: Monday, 06 July 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• applicant-guide 1 (PDF, 322KB)
  
  
  693092 26 Role Description (Word, 583KB)