Chief Executive Officer

The Company Riverine Plains Inc prides itself on farmer-driven, on-the-ground research, and extension to directly benefit their members. They are an independent farming systems group dedicated to improving the productivity of broadacre farming and livestock systems in north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. They believe that the key to more resilient and progressive farming communities is to provide quality information, lead in research, and share ideas. Their motto is ‘Farmers Inspiring Farmers.’

Riverine Plains Inc works in partnership with farmers, state and commonwealth agricultural agencies, research organisations, universities, and private enterprises to facilitate high quality, regionally relevant research, and extension.

The Role As the CEO, your primary focus will be business management deliver on the ground benefits to members. You will lead Riverine Plains Inc to consolidate its’ growth strategy while retaining its grounded focus on quality systems and member value. To leverage this opportunity there is an established and motivated team, an engaged membership body, solid commercial partnerships plus you will be supported by a highly motivated and professional Board passionate about the driving impact at a farmer level.

As a successful candidate for this role, you will be an established CEO, or a senior executive with leadership aspirations and current experience in an agricultural focused NFP commercial or operations management looking for a career stretch.

In your function you will:

• be ‘The Face’ of Riverine Plains Inc in the region to firstly understand the regions farming community and then present commercial solutions and extension at every opportunity
• be happy working with existing, new commercial partners and the farming community
• be able to leverage projects and strategies to deliver impact to members, while building additional opportunities and visibility for the organisation
• grow membership through engagement strategies
• ensure research and extension continues to improve farmers productivity on the ground
• working with the Board to an agreed strategic plan and ensure all aspects (including staff and compliance) are managed appropriately with full transparency

The Person:

• you will have a thorough understanding of research and broadacre cropping and livestock production, but may not have been a field agronomist
• able to convert R&D and technology to practical inputs for direct farmer benefit
• exceptional people leader, having previously managed staff to achieve overall expectations
• experienced at business development and willing to use these skills to open more doors for commercial growth
• experienced in negotiating contracts, including with government funded agencies.
• will have strong and proven background in networking skills and able to work with a range of stakeholders including government
• strong commercial orientation, full business accountability with skills to read P&L’s and balance sheets
• formal qualifications in commercial, business or governance in agriculture/science
• highly energetic, dynamic and a self-starter

This is an excellent opportunity as a current CEO or someone who believes they have the necessary skills/experience and is ready for such a role. Riverine Plains Inc has moved into a stronger commercial position, and your role will be to leverage this platform to benefit members, farmers, and partners.

The person should be prepared to be based in Mulwala or nearby in the Riverine Plains membership catchment and able to work from the Office on a regular basis. Significant travel across the region will be required.