GREENPEACE AUSTRALIA PACIFIC
Greenpeace is an iconic global environmental campaigning network and our mission—to secure an earth capable of nurturing life in all of its magnificent diversity—has never been more urgent. Greenpeace Australia Pacific is an autonomous legal entity that collaborates with other Greenpeace national and regional offices to drive transformational change.
Our independence sets Greenpeace apart. We accept no funding from governments, businesses, or political parties. For more than 50 years, Greenpeace has been independently powered by our supporters.
Greenpeace only campaigns when we have a viable solution and we seek systemic change, with a track record of extraordinary impact. Our current priorities are:
- tackling climate change by stopping emissions from fossil fuel extraction at source; and
- protecting nature, including our oceans and forests, by stopping the largest sources of environmental destruction like industrial fishing, plastic pollution and deforestation.
Our team is distributed with staff members based across our license area in Australia and the Pacific.
Being Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Greenpeace is not just a job - it’s an opportunity to apply your strategic leadership skills and professional experience to making a real world difference, taking on the existential threat of climate change and protecting nature.
THE ROLE
As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will be a custodian of Greenpeace in Australia and the Pacific, and an active participant in the Global Greenpeace Network. You'll help shape our vision and strategic plans, whilst ensuring our essential backbone functions are optimised to support our work.
Leading one of our three principal departments, you will manage planning, operations, finance, legal, IT, and facilities. This diverse role spans everything from regulatory compliance to ensuring that our campaign vessel, Oceania, remains ready for action.
Our COO works closely with other senior leaders to strategically drive impact through our virtuous cycle, in which engagement with our large, committed and passionate supporter base enables campaign impact, which inspires supporter giving, which then enables investment in future engagement and campaigning, and so on.
Reporting directly to CEO David Ritter, you will join an experienced and stable Senior Leadership Team and engage regularly with our skilled and committed Board.
OUR CULTURE
We seek out terrific people who will be committed to Greenpeace and our mission, and honour the trust placed in us by our supporters. Our high performance is built on shared alignment around our Culture of Accountability and Impact which encourages collective focus, trust, integrity, shared learning and problem solving, creativity, and collaboration for greater shared impact.
As one of the key enablers of great culture, our COO needs to be able to thrive in a dynamic environment within a challenging sphere of work, be solutions focused, possess high emotional intelligence, and be committed to driving growth, efficiency, staff wellbeing, and the optimising of organisational resources to sustainably support transformational impact consistent with our mission.
DUTIES
The COO is responsible for ensuring effective operations and internal management practices by overseeing the effective provision and maintenance of finance systems, information and technology systems, legal and governance frameworks, and facilities management, including our regional headquarters Rainbow Warrior House, and our water craft.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Guide and collaborate with the CEO and leadership team in strategic and operational planning including the setting of annual and three year plans, and triannual OKRs, and delivery and financial management;
- Provide excellent oversight and management of GPAP operations, assets and premises across our massive and highly culturally diverse region;
- Ensure the development, execution and maintenance of organisational functions;
- Provide timely, accurate and clear reporting to the Board and supporting good governance;
- Participate in the global Greenpeace COO community and monitor latest developments within the Greenpeace Global Network;
- Ensure effective financial management of GPAP including overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, audit and compliance; and
- And, at the discretion of the Board, may include Company Secretarial obligations.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Leadership, determination, financial and regulatory literacy, strategic acumen and high level relational skills are among the most important selection criteria.
To be successful in this role, you will need to have demonstrated significant relevant experience in leadership and management. We are searching for someone able to inspire a thriving team culture that encourages inclusion, resilience, ambition, learning and innovation, and to do so with a sensitivity to the particular operational complexities of our organisation and the diversity and scale of our geographical remit.
You will need to be a strong communicator and problem solver, with an ability to work with a diverse range of individuals and methods.
Above all we are looking for someone who deeply understands our mission and values and is excited to help Greenpeace thrive whilst seizing opportunities for the organisation.
You will ideally have the following experience:
- At least five (5) years' experience with senior financial management or responsibility
- At least five (5) years’ experience in a senior leadership position, contributing to a senior leadership team
- At least five (5) years’ experience in a people management position
We know you could work anywhere, because of your highly marketable skills. But we also know that in this critical decade in the fight against climate change, you are yearning to use your hard-won skills and experience to make a difference. And opportunities like this don’t come along often.
Experience within the not-for-profit or NGO sector is advantageous–but you might also be someone who has worked in the commercial sector and is ready for a change that is driven by your values.
Consistent with our culture and global outlook, Greenpeace is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse staff team.
We recognise that sometimes the right person for a job is based on personal qualities and not just qualifications. If you are not sure whether you are qualified, we would strongly encourage you to make an inquiry or go ahead and apply—we like to think laterally about all our appointments.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- An opportunity to use your skills and experience to directly contribute to tackling the climate and environmental emergency.
- Being part of an iconic global network with more than fifty years of world-changing impact.
- Working for an organisation with a massive and vital geographic span–from the North West of WA, to Marshall Islands and Kiribati, and the opportunity to participate in a truly global network.
- Sectorally competitive remuneration and conditions.
- Membership of an experienced senior leadership team and an effective and vibrant organisation.
- The opportunity to work in an organisation with a remarkable span of skills and capabilities - from climbing ropes and sailing boats, to engaging directly with corporate CEOs and government ministers.
- Flexible working conditions–and a terrific headquarters at Rainbow Warrior House if you are based in Sydney.
This is a full-time, permanent position. Open to candidates Australia wide.
Annual full-time salary: $181,222.39 + 12% Superannuation per annum
HOW TO APPLY
- Read the full Job Description.
- Submit a Cover Letter (of no more than 1 page) and Resume (of no more than 3 pages) by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.
- Applicants who do not submit a Cover Letter will not be considered.
Greenpeace is an equal opportunity employer with a longstanding commitment of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual. We recognise and value the benefits and strengths that diversity brings to our employees and the whole organisation and we thrive in an environment that encourages respect and trust.
Note: Not all responsibilities and competencies listed in the Job Description need to be addressed; it is left to the discretion of the applicant which to focus on.
We respectfully request that Recruitment Agencies do not submit applications for this position.
Further information on Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s recent track record can be found in our 2024 Impact Report.
Applications close at midnight, 27th July 2025.
