Chief Executive Officer

About this role

Applications open Tuesday 28 July 2026 and will close 11:30pm AEST on Thursday 13 August 2026 The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is seeking an accomplished executive leader for the role of Chief Executive Officer. This statutory appointment leads ACIAR, a specialist Australian Government agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, delivering international agricultural research partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. Reporting to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer will oversee organisational performance and governance, and drive high-impact research-for-development programs that support food security, poverty reduction, sustainable agriculture and stronger regional partnerships. This Canberra-based appointment is for a five-year term and offers the opportunity to lead a respected Commonwealth agency with a distinctive international mandate. The successful candidate will bring strong executive leadership, financial and organisational management capability, experience working across government and research sectors, and the ability to build trusted relationships with domestic and international stakeholders. In this role you will be required to: • Set the strategic vision for ACIAR, inspiring purpose and direction across the agency. • Provide leadership to empower the efficient and productive functioning of the Centre. • Advise and report to the Minister, the Commission and the Policy Advisory Council on ACIAR’s overall strategy, research and capacity-building programs, and accountability of operations. • Represent Australia at high-level international meetings, including meetings of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and its sub-committees or task forces. • Represent ACIAR before government and Parliament, and to Australian industry and the domestic and international scientific research community. • Interact effectively at the highest levels with agencies across the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, the broader Australian Public Service, universities, CSIRO and state departments. • Negotiate agreements with collaborating country governments and facilitate collaborative partnerships with developing country government agencies and research institutions. • Contribute to national and international reviews in scientific research and development assistance. • Lead and manage the ACIAR Executive team and oversee appropriate people management systems for staff and contractors in Australia and overseas. • Ensure ACIAR operates in compliance with all relevant legislative and policy frameworks, with a particular focus on Commonwealth financial and resource management obligations, including oversight of ACIAR’s annual budget, financial governance, procurement, risk, audit and assurance. OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE The successful candidate will bring high-level expertise in leading a complex organisation and driving effective research partnerships across government, universities, research organisations and business. They will combine a strong focus on outcomes, with the discipline required to run an efficient, accountable and high-performing Commonwealth agency. They will demonstrate strong financial and organisational management capability, and a clear understanding of governance, probity, risk and accountability in a Commonwealth context. They will be able to translate strategy into practical delivery, align resources to priorities, and ensure ACIAR operates effectively within the expectations of government, ministers, Parliament and stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be an accomplished people leader, with the ability to build a cohesive and high-performing executive team, foster a positive and inclusive organisational culture, and lead staff and locally engaged employees across Australia and overseas. They will bring credibility, resilience and strong communication skills, and will be able to inspire confidence across a diverse network of domestic and international partners. They will have a record of leading change, driving innovation and engaging others in solutions to emerging global and regional challenges, preferably in a research management, international development and/or public sector context. HOW TO APPLY Your application should include: • Your personal details. • A statement of claims, or short pitch, of approximately 1000 words addressing the requirements of the role. • Contact details for two referees. As a part of your application, you will be required to provide a statement of claims, or short pitch, of approximately 1000 words addressing the requirements of the role. Your application will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications required to perform the role successfully. Relevant examples and achievements will strengthen your application. Your statement of claims, short pitch, is your opportunity to tell us why you are the right candidate for the role. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to participate fully in this recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Applications should be submitted by clicking the Apply button and following the instructions provided by Beaumont & Beaumont. For enquiries about the recruitment process, please contact Beaumont & Beaumont ensuring you quote their reference number: Name: Beaumont&Beaumont Email: dfat@beaumontandbeaumont.com.au Phone: (02) 6126 4500 | Quote Reference number:11754