Director Commercial & Visitor Economy

Applications closing on 05 March 2026, 05:00 PM

The Director, Commercial and Visitor Economy provides enterprise level executive leadership for the Authority’s commercial and visitor economy functions, with accountability for sustainable revenue generation, commercial performance, and long-term financial resilience in support of the Authority’s statutory objectives.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director contributes to whole-of-Authority strategy, stewardship and decision making, supporting organisational maturity and transition. The role leads the Authority’s responsibilities as the lead agency for tourism policy and destination stewardship across the Great Ocean Road region, ensuring commercial and visitor economy decisions deliver strong financial outcomes, managed risk and enduring public value, while protecting environmental, cultural and community outcomes.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy and accountability within legislative, policy and governance frameworks, the Director applies strategic and commercial judgement, drives disciplined investment and portfolio management, and ensures transparency, probity and risk management across all commercial activities. The role builds organisational capability, models public sector values, and balances commercial imperatives with community expectations to maintain trust and social licence.

Executive Leadership and Enterprise Strategy

• Provide enterprise-level executive leadership for the Authority’s commercial and visitor economy portfolios, with clear accountability for sustainable revenue generation, commercial performance and long-term financial resilience.
• Contribute to whole-of-Authority strategic, financial and workforce planning, supporting organisational transition, maturity and balance sheet sustainability.
• Lead the development and implementation of commercially robust operating models that strengthen organisational self-sufficiency while maintaining public trust, probity and alignment with public sector values.

Commercial Strategy, Portfolio Performance and Yield Optimisation

• Develop, implement and continuously refine an integrated commercial strategy that optimises revenue, yield and asset utilisation across tourism assets, accommodation, leases, licenses and permits.
• Oversee the commercial performance of caravan parks, the Cape Otway Light station, Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre and other visitor assets, ensuring each operation has a clear commercial mandate, performance targets and accountability framework.
• Drive portfolio optimisation through rigorous assessment of asset performance, growth opportunities, risk exposure and return on investment.
• Ensure commercial decisions are underpinned by robust market intelligence, demand forecasting, scenario analysis and financial modelling.

Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism as an Economic Driver

• Lead the development and delivery of Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism strategies and facilities that generate measurable economic returns while protecting environmental, cultural and community values.
• Position sustainability, digital capability and innovation as commercial enablers that enhance visitor experience, asset performance and long‑term economic value.
• Strengthen the Authority’s role as a destination steward by integrating visitor economy growth with place‑based outcomes and long‑term regional resilience.

Commercial Projects, Investment and Risk Management

• Provide executive oversight of end‑to‑end commercial project governance, from opportunity identification and due diligence through to delivery, commissioning and operational handover.
• Apply disciplined, risk‑adjusted investment decision‑making that balances financial returns, market conditions, policy settings, environmental and cultural impacts.
• Ensure commercial, financial and reputational risks are identified early, actively managed and escalated appropriately through established governance and assurance frameworks.

Partnerships, Commercial Negotiation and Market Engagement

• Lead complex commercial negotiations with investors, operators, government partners and Traditional Owners to secure commercially…