Director, Data Systems and Analytics – Parks Australia

Who we are

Parks Australia protects and manages some of Australia’s most significant natural and cultural assets, including national parks, marine parks and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. As part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, we work to conserve these unique places, celebrate First Nations knowledge, and inspire people to value and protect Australia’s environmental heritage.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch provides leadership in conservation science, research, policy, data and information services, climate adaptation, and biodiversity management. Through strong partnerships and innovative approaches, the Branch delivers scientific advice, manages national biological collections, supports protected area management, and advances data-driven decision-making across Parks Australia.

The Job

The position of Director, Data Systems and Analytics is a key leadership role responsible for establishing and overseeing Parks Australia’s Data and Information Centre. The position will work closely with the Director, Information Services in design and delivery of the Parks Australia Data and Information Centre. We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader with a strong technical background who will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic leadership and clear direction for the Parks Australia Data and Information Centre as the enterprise service accountable for data governance and management, data architectures, analytics, spatial services and AI enablement across Parks Australia functions.
• Leading the design and oversight of enterprise data and analytics architecture with a focus on science and management data, including platforms, interoperability, standards, metadata, and sequencing of uplift activities in alignment with ICT investment and departmental architecture settings.
• Shaping and overseeing analytics and responsible AI requirements, and ensuring that analytics and AI use is ethical and aligned to organisational priorities and protocols.
• Establishing and governing data pipelines that support planning, performance evaluation, research, monitoring and related operational delivery at a whole of Parks scale, and enabling Parks Australia to participate effectively in national environmental data supply chains.
• Providing leadership on the use and integration of contemporary environmental data streams, including sensor derived, modelled and field monitoring and research data.
• Operating as a connector and integrator across the Division and Department, working closely with Environment Information Australia (EIA), ICT, corporate functions and operational teams to align standards, platforms, investment sequencing and delivery.
• Embedding First Nations data governance and right way principles into the design and operation of data, analytics and AI systems, and working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support culturally appropriate data stewardship.
• Leading and developing high performing teams delivering complex cross-divisional uplift programs, and building and supporting data and analytics capability and accountabilities across Parks Australia.
• Providing expert advice and assurance to Senior Executive, including on data risks, maturity, investment trade-offs and progress against uplift roadmap, and supporting the Branch Head and executive through the preparation of briefings, submissions and other material.

Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.