Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) keeps people safe on the water as a state-wide network of volunteers responding to those in distress, educating boaties, and supporting emergency services during disasters and emergencies.

As Director People & Capability, you'll lead the people, culture and capability strategy that unites our newly amalgamated service as one MRQ. Reporting to the Chief Officer, you'll drive the attraction, development, recognition and retention of our volunteers, building a high-performance, inclusive and respectful culture.

You will provide leadership to manage risks, governance, strategy and execution against compliance and performance goals. This is a rare chance to make a lasting difference to volunteerism and community safety across Queensland.

If you're a strategic people leader ready to lead the function, find your change here.

Job details

Your key accountabilities

The core capability requirements for this role are:

• Lead and manage the delivery and implementation of initiatives to attract, recruit, develop, reward, and retain MRQ volunteers which improve outcomes for the delivery of essential emergency, safety, preparedness, mitigation and response services across Queensland
• Lead and enable the development of a high-performance culture within MRQ by integrating people, culture and sustainability strategies and initiatives to enhance the capability to deliver high quality community safety services.
• Provide high-level strategic advice and direction on contemporary and emerging volunteerism issues and trends and represent MRQ at forums to ensure positive outcomes.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative partnerships across government and non-government service sectors to foster commitment, cooperation, and influence decision making in volunteerism, community safety and emergency management.
• Represent and negotiate on behalf of MRQ at high level inter and intra-jurisdictional meetings and manage liaison and coordination with key government and non-government agencies in building awareness and strengthening preparedness and responses to emergency management.
• Manage human, financial and physical resources ensuring client service and performance management and drive a culture of accountability and fairness that encourages and enables teams and individual staff to meet challenges, develop skills and achieve results.
• Manage and respond to a range of high-level departmental and ministerial correspondence, briefing notes and communication materials from internal and external clients and stakeholders, in accordance with departmental requirements and governance.
• Manage multiple complex projects and initiatives in accordance with strategic priorities to ensure continuous improvement and effective governance and reporting to meet the needs of the department. Whilst monitoring organisational risk and governance frameworks.

Role Requirements

Mandatory - Possession of Open ‘C' Class Queensland Drivers Licence
Qualification - Nil
Technical/ Operational/ Educational experience - Demonstrated experience in the planning, coordination, and management of maritime services, specifically relating to community and maritime safety.
Other - Ability to travel intra-state in alignment with service requirements.

You will be required to provide 24/7 support from time to time.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/695846/26

Closing Date: Tuesday, 4th August 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.

• 695846 26 - Role Description (Word, 4.80MB)
  
  
  695846 26 - Applicant Guide non-Police (Word, 228KB)