Here at the MDBA we’re the steadfast stewards of the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers. We work towards a resilient Basin through the extremes of our changing climate, and whose communities are ready for their future.
Join us in our stewardship to shape the future of the Basin for the benefit of all Australians.
We are seeking people who are committed to taking a whole-of-Basin view to ensure all social, economic, environmental and cultural perspectives are considered as we protect our rivers for generations.
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is an independent statutory agency in the Australian Government, which operates under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) (the Water Act). We work with Basin states, industries and communities to manage the Murray–Darling Basin’s water resources.
The MDBA aims to achieve a healthy working Basin for the benefit of all Australians. The Murray–Darling Basin contains a rich diversity of natural environments that are unique in Australia and the world. The Basin is also crucial to Australia’s economy and home to 2.3 million Australians, including people from over 50 First Nations. How we manage the Basin as a whole connected system, manage our water carefully, and protect it for future generations is set out in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The MDBA is seeking to establish a merit pool of highly suitable candidates for one immediate vacancy and future vacancies within the ICT and Data Branch. The merit pool may be used to fill similar roles that become available over the next 18 months, including positions across strategy and governance, digital transformation, enterprise architecture, business engagement, data and analytics, cyber security, technology operations, project delivery, and service management.
The position:
This is an exciting opportunity to join the MDBA’s ICT and Data Branch as the Director, Strategy & Projects, leading a team responsible for delivering strategic, operational and transformational outcomes that support the organisation’s mission and priorities.
As the Director Strategy & Projects, you will provide leadership across a diverse portfolio of technology, data and digital services, driving the delivery of high-quality outcomes while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex programs of work, and ensure services and capabilities evolve to meet changing organisational needs.
In this role, you will build strong, trusted relationships across the MDBA, providing strategic advice and influencing decision-making at all levels. You will play a key role in shaping future technology and data capabilities, strengthening organisational resilience, and enabling the effective use of information, technology and digital services to improve business outcomes.
You will work closely with stakeholders across the Business Services Division and the broader MDBA, as well as with Australian Government agencies, Basin states and territories, and external partners. This provides a unique opportunity to contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives, influence strategic outcomes, and support the MDBA in delivering lasting value for the Basin and the communities it serves.
Your key responsibilities in this role are to:
The Director will lead a portfolio of ICT and Data functions, programs and services that support the MDBA’s strategic objectives and organisational performance. Responsibilities may include strategy and governance, digital transformation, enterprise architecture, business engagement, data and analytics, cyber security, or technology service delivery.
The Director will lead multidisciplinary teams and manages strategic priorities, resources, partnerships and commercial arrangements to deliver high-quality outcomes across technology, digital and data domains.
The role ensures that the MDBA’s technology and data capabilities remain secure, reliable and fit for purpose, while driving innovation, continuous improvement and organisational transformation.
As a senior leader within the ICT and Data Branch, the Director provides trusted advice, influences decision-making, and works across organisational boundaries to deliver enterprise outcomes.
The specific responsibilities of this role will vary depending on organisational requirements. Directors may be assigned responsibility for multiple areas within the ICT and Data Branch, including, but not limited to, technology operations, cyber security, data and analytics, enterprise platforms, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, business engagement, strategy and governance, project delivery, or commercial and vendor management.
Please refer to the position description for more information.
What we offer you:
- The opportunity to contribute to projects that shape the future of one of Australia’s greatest natural assets and protect it for future generations.
- Varied, challenging work that applies knowledge and expertise to support critical water resource management within the Australian community.
- Competitive remuneration packages and flexible working arrangements which support work-life balance.
- Being part of a smaller agency with a strong focus on its connection with people.
- Being part of a professional, committed, and friendly team of people.
- Being part of an organisation that values and partners with First Nations peoples, guided by an innovative Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
- Opportunities to travel across the Murray–Darling Basin and engage with local communities and water authorities.
- A range of healthy lifestyle provisions, including access to an employee assistance program (EAP), healthy lifestyle allowance and annual flu vaccination program.
- Pathways for professional development, study assistance, and career progression, with opportunities to work locally in our regional offices while contributing to national outcomes.
How to apply:
If this opportunity sounds like it’s right for you, submit an application now!
As part of your application, you’ll need to provide:
- Your CV, including contact details of two referees.
- A statement of claims, or response to selection criteria, telling us how your skills, knowledge, and experience make you suitable for what we are looking for.
Jobs in the Australian Public Service are classified according to expected levels of work and responsibility. For information about the expected capabilities and behaviours required, refer to the APS Work Level Standards (WLS) and the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) on the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) website.
Your statement of claims (or response to selection criteria) should provide examples which demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the position you are applying for. This is an important part of the application process, as it is your opportunity to communicate to the selection panel that you have the abilities, experience and qualities to be shortlisted for the position.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Australian Public Service (APS) recruitment process, applying for a job can be intimidating. The APSC has published a resource Cracking the code, which provides helpful information to candidates, including on how to find a job in the APS, writing applications, employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and for people with disability, and what to expect if you’re invited to an interview.
Expectations of candidate use of AI tools are outlined in the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.
Tell me more:
Where a role has been advertised as ongoing and non-ongoing, non-ongoing opportunities will be offered subject to business needs. Where a non-ongoing opportunity is offered, the role will be filled as a specified term vacancy, for an initial period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension.
For more information regarding this opportunity contact Tim Peters, tim.peters@mdba.gov.au, +61 2 6279 0483.
