Regulatory Services Manager (Operations)

Reporting to the Director, Northern Region, this position may be based in Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Mackay or Townsville (subject to agreement). You will lead regional regulatory operations and multidisciplinary teams responsible for delivering safety, compliance and industry outcomes across Queensland. The role requires building strong relationships with government, industry and partner agencies, applying risk-based approaches to operational decision-making, and driving high performance in a complex and dynamic operating environment.

We are seeking an experienced leader with strong operational and stakeholder management capability. Experience in the heavy vehicle industry is highly regarded but not essential. We welcome applications from leaders who have delivered results in regulatory, compliance, safety, public sector or other complex operational environments.

Key responsibilities of this role are:

• Lead regional regulatory operations and programs, ensuring strategic priorities and operational objectives are achieved efficiently and effectively.
• Use risk-based approaches, operational intelligence and performance insights to inform priorities, allocate resources and improve operational outcomes.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with enforcement agencies, government stakeholders, and industry to strengthen compliance outcomes.
• Support regional leadership in developing and implementing cross-jurisdictional and national heavy vehicle compliance initiatives.
• Lead organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a culture of high performance, accountability and professional leadership.
• Manage, motivate, and develop staff to achieve challenging business objectives in a complex operational environment.
• Resolve complex operational issues through sound judgement, innovative problem solving, and alignment with national heavy vehicle reform objectives.
• Influence and negotiate with key stakeholders while managing third-party contracts to ensure value-for-money service delivery and strong regulatory outcomes.
• Provide strategic advice on operational performance, emerging risks and opportunities to improve outcomes, while fostering a culture of accountability, informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

NHVR are currently undertaking growth and considerable transformation, and this is an exciting time to join the organisation. We are seeking leadership capability and regulatory experience. Experience in the heavy vehicle industry is desirable but not essential, and we welcome applications from candidates with transferable experience from other regulatory, compliance, safety, enforcement and government environments.

To learn more, the position description can be found on the NHVR Careers site - https://careers.nhvr.gov.au/jobs/search

 About You

To be successful in this role you will possess

• Extensive experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven leadership, people management and communication skills.
• Experience in a regulatory, compliance, safety or operational environment, including leading teams to deliver outcomes in a complex and changing environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to analyse information, exercise sound judgement and make effective decisions.
• Experience leading people through change and driving continuous improvement.
• A commitment to integrity, accountability and customer service excellence.
• The ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

Highly Regarded:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of multi-jurisdictional regulatory environments and the complexities of working across government, industry and partner agencies.
• Knowledge of the heavy vehicle industry or transport regulatory environment.

Why join us?

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) commenced operations in 2013 as the national entity responsible for regulating all vehicles in Australia over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. The NHVR minimises the compliance burden on the heavy vehicle transport industry, reduces duplication and inconsistences across state and territory borders, and ultimately for the heavy vehicle business with government in Australia.

We are headquartered in Brisbane and employ more than 1000 people across the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

We offer-

• A competitive salary package + superannuation
• Paid leave over Christmas closure.
• Hybrid working environment – up to 2 days from home.
• Wellbeing programs – discounted fitness through Fitness Passport, Discount health insurance, flu vaccine, financial programs including discounted banking products, finance information sessions.
• Salary packaging options including novated lease.
• Discounted IT products including Microsoft and free family password security plan.
• Ongoing training and professional development support
• Professional membership

Application Process

Please apply with your CV and cover letter addressing the essential requirements of the role.

Applications close: 5.00pm 24th September 2026 (applications may close earlier than the listed closing date if suitable candidate/s are identified prior).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the NHVR recruitment team on recruitment@nhvr.gov.au.

Successful applicants will be required to complete standard pre-employment checks including a national police and work rights check.

Please Note: We will not require any support from Recruitment Agencies at this time and kindly request no contact is made. Only direct applications will be considered.

We are committed to being an inclusive, diverse and flexible workplace where differences are valued. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experience and abilities.