General Manager - Rural Futures

About AgriFutures Australia At AgriFutures Australia, our vision is to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries. AgriFutures is one of fifteen rural Research and Development Corporations that service the R,D &
E needs of Australian agriculture. As of 2022/2023, AgriFutures 13 levied industries collectively reached a total gross value of $4.4 billion.
AgriFutures is responsible for investing in research and development to promote industry growth, sustainability and resilience through innovation, learning, and leadership in rural industries that do not have their own dedicated RDC and new emerging industries. In addition, AgriFutures invests in RD&
E to address issues thataffect the whole of Australian agriculture. Some of our initiatives include evokeAG., grow AG., the National Rural Issues Forum (ENRI), and the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award.
AgriFutures has undergone a period of rapid growth and is entering its new phase as it focusses on tackling a number of critical challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, including growing a skilled workforce, transitioning to carbon neutrality and ongoing sustainability. AgriFutures is ideally positioned to play a vital role, having a highly engaged and passionate Board supported by a dynamic leadership team vested in growing a prosperous future for Australian rural industries.
The Role As the General Manager, Rural Futures you will lead a dynamic high-performing team that takes ownership and accountability of priorities to future-proof Australian rural industries. The team you lead identifies, understands, and responds to national challenges and then facilitates collaboration across sectors, government, and organisations to deliver outcomes focussed on reducing fragmentation and duplication, ultimately maximising impact.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role builds constructive relationships with stakeholders while overseeing programs of innovative R&
D that respond directly to emerging issues in agriculture. An evidence based approach to inform national debate and underpin policy across food, energy, trade, climate change, forestry, and fisheries. You will work with the Emerging National Rural Issues Forum that engages industry such as RDC's, NFF, DAFF, and AIA to co-design projects that respond to National Rural Issues.
Agricultural issues of interest to the sector have included:
workforce, transition to net zero, community trust, farm health &
safety, trade and market access, biosecurity, carbon tax, circular economy, global logistics, sustainability, alternative energy, regional manufacturing, transport, and connectivity.
The Person
To be successful in this leadership role you will have:

• Proven people leadership skills with a high degree of self-awareness and empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience, and with high levels of energy and drive
• Outstanding ability to build constructive relationships with stakeholders both internal and external within the industry
• High degree of interpersonal skills with excellent commercial, listening, communication and engagement skills
• Deep affinity and passion with rural and regional Australia and understanding of rural industries and the Australian rural research and innovation ecosystem.
• Ideally experience leading R&
  D programs and projects within agriculture
• Ability to think analytically to identifying challenges and opportunities
• Always acts ethically and with integrity
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline

Join AgriFutures Australia and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Australian rural industries. For more information and to apply please contact David Jackson or Mick hay on for a confidential conversation, or applications via .