Director, Data Systems and Analytics

Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes: 

• Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia.
• Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving.
• Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans.
• Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants.
• Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes.
• Facilitating research and science capacity building and education.
• Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation.
• Climate adaption and policy for Parks Australia.
• Evaluation and reporting to understand management effectiveness and performance of our parks, gardens and agency.
• Data and information systems services for Parks Australia.

The Parks Australia Data and Information Centre is a new, organisation-wide service. The Centre leads and is accountable for Parks Australia’s data governance and management functions and the development of modern data systems and platforms, enabling streamlined data storage, access and integration across science, operations and corporate functions. It provides information services, spatial analysis, analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities, and delivers data and outputs for Parks Australia’s management effectiveness system. As a central and trusted service, it will bring together data governance, information management, analytics and emerging technologies—providing clear guidance, shared tools and expert support to help teams find, access and use data in their day-to-day work and make better-informed decisions. As a major producer and user of environmental data, Parks Australia is positioning the Centre within the broader environmental data landscape, connecting to national data networks to ensuring our data is interoperable, accessible and contributes to a wider ecosystem of environmental knowledge. The Centre team works collaboratively across parks, science, policy, corporate and ICT functions to deliver a coordinated approach and alignment to broader Departmental and Australian Government requirements.

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.

For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there. 

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level. 

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period. 

We currently have one vacancy available for immediate filling. A merit pool for filling the same or similar positions may be established at the conclusion of this selection process.