Executive Director – Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme

About the role

The Executive Director leads ADAS, the national certification scheme for Australia’s occupational diving and hyperbaric sector. Reporting to the Chair and Board, the role oversees operations, governance, stakeholder engagement and financial sustainability.

Key responsibilities

• Lead ADAS operations, ensuring audit readiness, robust evidence management and compliance with VET/ASQA standards.
• Maintain and strengthen ADAS's reputation for training and certification quality.
• Engage and influence regulators, unions, industry, accredited training establishments and standards bodies.
• Represent ADAS nationally and internationally, supporting mutual recognition and protecting the value of the ADAS card.
• Provide high‑quality governance support to the Board, including reporting, risk management and decision‑ready papers.
• Drive prudent financial management and sustainability in a constrained not‑for‑profit environment.
• Lead and develop a small, people‑centred, inclusive and high‑performing team culture.
• Oversee measured systems improvement, such as student management and LMS platform uplift.

Required profile

• Occupational diving experience with strong technical credibility (offshore diver supervisor level preferred).
• Significant exposure to hyperbaric operations (diver, life‑support or chamber roles; hyperbaric certification preferred).
• Proven experience leading and managing teams in highly regulated, safety‑critical or standards‑based organisations.
• Strong governance literacy and ability to engage with a Board.
• Excellent stakeholder management, conflict resolution and diplomatic skills.
• Outstanding written communication and technical documentation abilities.
• Comfortable with public speaking and representing the organisation.
• Financial and commercial management experience, including budgeting and reporting, in a small not‑for‑profit setting.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) or equivalent.

Required skills

• Learning Management System (LMS) administration
• Evidence management
• Hyperbaric operations