Shaping Australia's Blue Economy Future

The Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is at a pivotal moment in its journey. Having established itself since 2019 as Australia's preeminent centre for industry-led marine innovation, we now seek an exceptional leader to guide our next chapter of impact and transformation.

With 43 global participants and the Australian Government, our world-leading collaborative research organisation is delivering innovative solutions at the intersection of sustainable offshore seafood production and renewable energy.

Your Impact

As our new CEO, you will lead our enterprise through its next phase. You'll drive the delivery of our research programme while simultaneously charting our course beyond our current Commonwealth funding cycle. You'll build upon our impressive achievements, which include Australia's only commercial-scale green hydrogen facility focused on the blue economy, pioneering wave energy projects, and innovative aquaculture solutions for high-energy sea states.

Day to day, you'll provide strategic leadership with an emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement. You'll oversee our research and project portfolio, manage commercialisation opportunities, implement robust governance frameworks, and advocate for our work with stakeholders across industry, government and research sectors. You will foster a collaborative culture that inspires excellence throughout our organisation.

About You

You are a visionary, entrepreneurial, and pragmatic leader who understands that innovation at the nexus of industry, research and government demands boldness, precision and commercial acumen. Ideally, you’ll bring postgraduate qualifications in science or management alongside significant executive leadership experience, preferably in scientific and/or complex regulatory environments.

Your track record includes success in managing and delivering complex, industry-focused research projects and navigating the path from discovery to commercial application. You possess political acumen and a sophisticated understanding of Australian government machinery processes. Your exceptional stakeholder management skills enable you to engage and maintain relationships with diverse participants and manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Above all, you combine scientific credibility with commercial awareness and have the strategic vision to position our organisation for sustained impact beyond 2029. You are resilient, can navigate ambiguity, build trust, and maintain focus on delivering transformative outcomes.

Based in Hobart or Launceston, this role offers a career-defining opportunity to shape Australia's marine future through impactful innovation that addresses climate challenges while enabling economic growth. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive support from our Board, access to world-class research infrastructure, and the platform to establish a lasting legacy in marine innovation.

Download an Information Pack by entering your details below and pressing the 'Submit' button. 

For a confidential discussion contact Michael Holdway at Searchlight Group: michael@searchlightgroup.com.au or 0400 006 513. Applications close on Friday June 6^th 2025.

Searchlight Group have been retained by Blue Economy CRC to support this appointment. All third party and unsolicited CV’s will be referred to Searchlight Group.