Director Oceans & Atmosphere - CSIRO - GreenCareer

First listed on: 27 March 2020

Director Oceans & Atmosphere 

  • Are you an enrrepeneurial and collaborative leader in Marine and Atmospheric science and technology?
  • Lead CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere to develop and deliver science and technology solutions that seek to secure Australia’s future through our seas and skies.
  • Join CSIRO as an integral member of the leadership team.


CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere provides knowledge to manage Australia’s marine areas and atmospheric environment.  CSIRO’s Ocean and Atmosphere research is uniquely placed to deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia and the region.  

The role of Director, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere presents an important opportunity to play a lead role in providing trusted knowledge to manage Australia’s marine areas and atmospheric environment.

This successful applicant will have a deep understanding of marine and atmospheric science/technology with a track record in leading change activities and building effective teams. The role requires a  visionary leader with experience in managing portfolios of projects and people within the research and development domain. The Director will be a member of the CSIRO Leadership team and have outstanding collaboration and communications skills.

Your duties will include:

  • Strategic leadership

Building on the team's success, oversee and implement the Oceans & Atmosphere Strategy.

Lead the business unit to develop and realise its  science vision in partnership with stakeholders  and science partners.

  • Capability leadership

Attract, develop and retain world class talent that  will meet current and future needs.

Empower staff with sufficient autonomy to pursue innovative science and technology that encourages the creative exchange of ideas within the context of the broader CSIRO and BU Strategic plan and vision

  • Engagement and partnerships

Drive commercial outcomes through the transfer of research  and technology into commercial and societal benefits.

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with  stakeholders, clients and partners to ensure alignment of  the business unit's activities with the needs of the nation.

  • Resource Leadership

Lead and manage the business unit's financial  resources, people, infrastructure and research  assets to ensure their effective and efficient use.

Secure a pipeline of opportunities aligned with  national priorities that delivers a sustainable  financial future.

Location: Melbourne VIC or Brisbane QLD preferred
Salary: An attractive remuneration package will be offered including up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years
Reference:  66469

To be successful you will need

  1. Established credibility and respect in the marine and atmospheric domain with evidence of effective leadership of a world-class research capability commensurate with the scale of the Oceans and Atmosphere business unit (~500 staff and affiliates). Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field is mandatory.
  2. Evidence of strong engagement skills and strategic relationship management that expands growth opportunities, drives commercial outcomes, and delivers national impact.
  3. Demonstrated ability to attract, retain, empower and develop world-class talent and to promote well-being and foster creativity and innovation.
  4. Demonstrated track record in leading a complex, multi-site and large-scale operation including managing financial and physical resources and creating a safe and healthy workplace.
  5. Established track record of building, driving and embedding cultural change and effective change management.
  6. Strong leadership skills that demonstrate  the ability to unite disparate groups.
  7. Values and behaviours are exemplary, and actively promotes cross-organisation collaboration.

Special Requirements:

To be eligible for this position you must be willing and able to undertake significant domestic and international travel.

The successful candidate will be asked to consent to National police check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically deemed ineligible. Each application will be considered on its merits.

For details about who to contact and for more information please view Position Description

CSIRO’s Commitment to Diversity

We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish. Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Balance

About CSIRO

At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment.

Apply Online

Do not apply for this role online.  Terri Ward from TowardCo is assisting CSIRO with the search.  All applications and enquiries should be directed via email to:  Terri Ward, terri@towardco.com quoting reference 66469 in the subject line. 

Applications Close

26 April 2020, 11:00pm AEST/AEDT

For the selection documentation and details on how to apply, visit www.csiro.au/careers or call 1300…show number