About the Role:

The General Manager – Public Safety & Emergency Management carries responsibility for the conduct and coordination of all matters pertaining to Lifesaving Services, Operations Support, Emergency Response and Coastal Safety Network functions. This includes best practice policy, protocols and operating procedures, standards and systems for lifesaving, emergency management and response, and volunteer support services. The Public Safety & Emergency Response department comprises of Lifesaving, State Operations Communications Centre, Emergency Response and Operations Support. This role is based at our South Brisbane office and occasional evening/weekend work may be required for emergencies or to attend committee meetings.

Benefits at SLSQ:

• Access to salary packaging benefits.
• Paid parental leave.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Knowing that your efforts support an essential public safety service.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

• Lead the department effectively ensuring high level of capability, cohesion, and strategic alignment.
• Collaborate and consult with other states and territories, national bodies, government, industry and interest groups to develop and promote SLSQ services.
• Develop a strong relationship with Surf Life Saving Queensland clubs and collaborate on initiatives to maintain and grow participation and ensure that delivery of services to member clubs remains relevant.
• Drive, manage and influence positive and productive working relationships with volunteers and paid employees.
• Lead strategic and operational future planning for the enhancement of SLSQ’s lifesaving and emergency response capability.
• Lead the provision of risk-based guidance, support, tools, evaluation and assurance to provide confidence in how the division will prepare and respond to incidents, crisis and emergencies in a proactive manner.
• Lead, develop and manage a program of exercises across the business, including identifying key incidents or crisis and emergency risks that SLSQ personnel may be required to respond to and developing and testing mitigation strategies, to assess plans and response capability.
• Provide advice on disaster management, lifesaving operations and emergency response.
• To be the responsible manager for the Coastal Safety Network and the State Operation Coordination Centre and all its functions including LIMSOC.
• Represent and advocate for SLSQ in relation to emergency response and disaster management.
• Manage the creation, delivery and maintenance of clear, outcome focused frameworks, policies, and standards, using evidence gained from strategic research and/or benchmarking projects, to enable continuous improvement of crisis and emergency management capability and service delivery. Oversee and implement training on disaster management. Keep up to date regarding relevant political and policy issues.
• Commits to mentoring and developing direct reports and providing constructive, timely, and consistent feedback, including active participation in the Performance Review process.

Skills & Experience:

• Working with Children Blue Card (Essential).
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Emergency Management) or relevant experience.
• 5 to 10 years’ experience in a similar position or same level role.
• Demonstrated computer literacy (intermediate MS Office) (Essential).
• Proven experience as a senior leader.
• Demonstrated experience in driving transformational change.
• Strategic planning and resource management skills.
• Understanding of the complexities of working within a membership-based organization with volunteers.
• Demonstrable experience in managing, controlling and administering budgets and allocated financial resources.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, in particular establishing and fostering strong connections, consultation and engagement and negotiation.
• Strong presentation skills including public speaking and public relations.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with a range of situations unique to change management in volunteer organisations including people management, community liaison, conflict resolution, diplomacy and problem solving.
• Demonstrated capability to develop and deliver to an operational/business plan.
• Personal attributes of integrity, flexibility, energy, self-motivation and resilience.
• Sound knowledge of Surf Life Saving (Highly Desirable).

About SLSQ:

Surf Life Saving Queensland employs over 550 people throughout Queensland. SLSQ is an efficient and vibrant organisation servicing 36,000 members. It was formally established in 1930 and is the governing body for surf lifesaving in Queensland, comprising 57 affiliated surf lifesaving clubs in six regional branches. The organisation also includes supporters’ clubs and a range of programs that involve more than 462,000 participants. SLSQ is directly affiliated with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and the International Life Saving Federation (ILF). Surf Life Saving Queensland is built on a fundamental principle: to save lives. Our organisation encompasses several diverse arms – lifesaving services, community education, membership services, surf sports, fundraising and commercial training.