Executive General Manager - South Australian Forest Products Association

Executive General Manager - South Australian Forest Products Association

Position Description

Position Title:                 Executive General Manager
Organisation:                 South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA)
Employment Type:       Full-time Executive Contract
Reports To:                    SAFPA Advisory Council (strategic) and AFPA CEO (administrative)
Location:                        Adelaide or Mount Gambier, South Australia

About SAFPA

The South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) is the peak policy and advocacy body representing the forest industries value chain in South Australia. SAFPA advances a sustainable, innovative and globally competitive forest products sector through evidence-based policy, strategic advocacy, stakeholder engagement and industry leadership.

SAFPA represents growers, processors, manufacturers, service providers and allied industries. The sector is a significant regional employer and contributor to Gross State Product, with a strong focus on sustainability, renewable materials, carbon sequestration, regional development and advanced manufacturing.

SAFPA operates as a State Committee and business unit of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA). Policy direction and member matters are managed within the South Australian jurisdiction, while financial, payroll, insurance, IT and related back-office services are provided by AFPA under agreed delegations and protocols.

Position Purpose

The Executive General Manager provides strategic, operational and public leadership for SAFPA and is responsible for advancing the interests of South Australia’s forest industries through high-level advocacy, policy development, stakeholder engagement, organisational management and clear communications.

Working under the direction of the SAFPA Advisory Council and within AFPA governance and delegation frameworks, the Executive General Manager delivers agreed strategic objectives, represents member interests and positions SAFPA as a respected, solutions-focused and influential industry voice.

Reporting and Accountability

• Reports to the SAFPA Advisory Council on strategy, policy and performance.
  
• Reports to the AFPA Chief Executive Officer on administrative and organisational matters.
  
• Accountable to the SAFPA Advisory Council and AFPA Board for approved budgets, plans and performance outcomes.
  
• Exercises delegated authority in accordance with SAFPA Delegations, AFPA policies and approved budgets.
  
• Responsible for management of staff, consultants and contractors as applicable.
  

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement SAFPA’s multi-year Strategic Plan and annual Business Plans aligned with AFPA planning cycles.
  
• Provide long-term vision and direction for the forest industries in South Australia.
  
• Identify emerging risks, opportunities and trends including decarbonisation, energy transition, trade, water, workforce and regional development.
  
• Ensure SAFPA initiatives align with member priorities and broader economic, environmental and social objectives.
  
  

Advocacy and Policy Development

• Lead whole-of-government engagement strategies within the South Australian jurisdiction.
  
• Develop and deliver policy platforms, election priorities, submissions and position papers.
  
• Represent SAFPA in parliamentary, departmental, regulatory and public forums.
  
• Promote practical, solutions-based policy outcomes that strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and investment confidence.
  

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Maintain effective relationships with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Members of Parliament, advisers and senior officials.
  
• Engage constructively with members, allied associations, unions, regional stakeholders and community representatives.
  
• Act as the principal conduit between SAFPA members and government.
  
• Build alliances that extend SAFPA’s collective voice and influence.
  

Communications and Public Profile

• Act as principal spokesperson for SAFPA.
  
• Oversee media strategy, messaging, publications and digital communications.
  
• Promote industry achievements, innovation and sustainability credentials.
  
• Deliver speeches, presentations and industry event participation.
  

Organisational, Financial and Governance Management

• Manage SAFPA financial performance, budgets and sponsorship programs within AFPA Delegations and financial protocols.
  
• Oversee governance processes including Advisory Council meetings, elections, reporting and compliance.
  
• Lead membership growth, retention and engagement initiatives.
  
• Manage staffing profile, consultants and service providers within approved budgets.
  
• Work with AFPA back-office functions on finance, payroll, insurance, IT and compliance.

Industry Development and Innovation

• Support workforce capability, training, research and innovation initiatives.
  
• Contribute to decarbonisation, logistics and supply-chain improvement projects.
  
• Encourage collaboration across the value chain and with research, education and training institutions.
  
  

Key Outcomes

• SAFPA recognised as a credible, trusted and influential peak body.
  
• Diverse and growing membership base with strong engagement.
  
• Effective and constructive government and stakeholder relationships.
  
• Clear, consistent and proactive communications and media presence.
  
• Delivery of measurable advocacy and policy achievements.
  
• Robust governance, financial sustainability and organisational resilience.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in political advocacy, policy development or senior stakeholder engagement.
  
• Strong leadership and organisational management capability.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Proven media and public speaking experience.
  
• High-level relationship building and negotiation skills.
  
• Financial literacy and budget management capability.
  
• Ability to operate autonomously and manage competing priorities.
  
• Strategic thinking and analytical problem-solving capability.
  

Desirable

• Experience in industry associations, government, policy or regional economic development.
  
• Knowledge of forestry, manufacturing, renewable materials or natural resource industries.
  
• Experience in election or campaign environments.
  
• Understanding of sustainability, carbon or decarbonisation policy settings.

Personal Attributes

• Integrity and professionalism.
  
• Political awareness and sound judgement.
  
• Collaborative and diplomatic approach.
  
• Resilience and adaptability.
  
• Initiative, energy and accountability.

Working Conditions

• Full-time executive role with reasonable flexibility in hours.
  
• Regular presence in Parliament and government offices when sitting.
  
• Frequent regional and occasional interstate travel.
  
• Attendance at evening functions, forums and industry events.

Key Performance Indicators (Indicative)

• Delivery of agreed annual strategic and policy objectives.
  
• Membership growth and retention.
  
• Sponsorship and financial sustainability targets.
  
• Communications outputs and media reach.
  
• Stakeholder engagement outcomes and alliance development.
  
• Governance compliance and reporting.
  
• Successful delivery of major industry events, reports and campaigns.
  

Applications close Friday, 16 October 2026. We encourage interested candidates to apply early, as applications may be reviewed as they are received.

To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience to human.resources@ausfpa.com.au

APPLY NOW

Other Articles

Published September 23, 2026

What Insurance Do We Need to Reduce Risk for Associations & NFPs?

Risk management is one of those areas that every association and not-for-profit Board knows is important - but it can sometimes become little more than a risk register reviewed once or twice a year.

Insurance can be treated in much the same way.

The organisation receives its annual insurance renewal, the premium is approved, the policy is renewed and everyone assumes the organisation is covered.

Read more

Published September 23, 2026

Who Really Decides Where Your Next Conference Is Being Held?

A practical look at volunteer governance, operational decision-making and what the events industry needs to understand about associations.

Read more

Published September 20, 2026

A $900 Membership Fee — And a Red Flag for Associations

Nick Koerbin has spent many years working with professional and industry associations, and he has developed a simple habit: whenever he meets a professional, he often asks whether they belong to their association — and whether they believe the membership is worth it.

A recent conversation with a young allied health professional raised some important questions about membership value, relevance and the expectations of the next generation.

In this article, Nick shares that conversation and challenges association leaders to consider a simple but confronting question:

Would the next generation of professionals in your sector believe your association is worth joining?

Read more