Executive Director, Forest and Fire Assets and Resources

• Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
• Ensure best practice management of all forest and fire assets and resources across Victoria
• Become a critical member of the executive team

Bushfire and Forest Services (BFS) is the public land manager for 3.2 million hectares of state forests. This includes the delivery and maintenance of recreation assets, tourism services and the preservation of forest health.

The Forest and Fire Assets and Resources Division (FFAR) is an integral part of Forest Fire Management Victoria, providing the assets, infrastructure, logistics, technology, communications and capital works required to support forest and fire management and broader emergency management operations. The Division supplies, governs and manages physical and enabling assets across their full lifecycle, ensuring they are timely, fit for purpose and value for money. Critical assets include fleet, heavy plant, basecamps, depots, technology platforms, roads and road infrastructure, inventory and aviation related assets.

The Division aims to be a best practice asset manager with a strong focus on governance, accountability and transparent decision making, performance, risk and reporting, proactive commercial and contract management and active stakeholder engagement with customers and delivery partners.

We are looking for a leader to steer the Division through a restructure that is designed to deliver continuous improvement of assets and resources for forest, fire and emergency management. You will be a strong and engaging leader with experience of building and encouraging high performance. You will create an environment that is open and inclusive, where new ideas are welcome and encouraged. Your influencing style and presence mean disparate stakeholders will readily engage with you.

Managing a workforce of 170 people, the Executive Director, Forest and Fire Assets and Resources will develop a sustainable service and delivery model for assets and resources to ensure they are operationally ready, demonstrate value for money and are aligned to the group’s needs and priorities. The new ED will deliver complex infrastructure, capital works and asset projects and provide strategic leadership and governance across all asset classes.

Leading Victoria’s fire and emergency aviation capability to support preparedness, response and recovery activities, you’ll also bring a good understanding of strategic technology investments (including AI-readiness) and be able to oversee the implementation of emergency sector IT.

Experience in the management of significant asset portfolios is a requirement of the role. The successful candidate will also have experience in procurement and contract management with an understanding of policies, procedures and processes that apply to government or a like-minded organisation. Ideally, you’ll be an outstanding communicator with a relevant tertiary qualification.

How to apply:
Candidate information: Please click on the "Additional Information" button to download a copy of the Candidate Information Pack. For more information, please contact email publicsector@derwentsearch.com.au or call 0419 683 660 quoting reference number: 34288.

To apply: Your application should include: A current resume (no more than four pages) and a succinct pitch (maximum 750 words) that tells us why you are the right candidate and what you’ll bring to the role.

Applications close: 11:59PM on Sunday, 10th May 2026