General Manager South West

About Southern Ports
Southern Ports is a Western Australian Government-owned port authority operating three gateway ports in Albany, Bunbury and Esperance, facilitating more than 30 million tonnes of trade each year. Guided by the vision of strong regional ports, strong regions, Southern Ports connects regional strengths to global opportunities.
 
The Opportunity
Southern Ports is at a pivotal point. The organisation is redesigning its Executive Leadership Team and regional leadership model to drive sustainable growth and capture emerging trade opportunities across regional Western Australia. This evolution is underpinned by a $100 million-plus capital program and ongoing investment in digital and operational technology.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the General Manager South West holds accountability and authority for port operations and is the primary face of Southern Ports in the region. You will lead the regional team, integrate maintenance with operational delivery, and drive customer outcomes and stakeholder engagement to optimise trade throughput and asset utilisation. The Port of Bunbury is Southern Ports’ largest port by volume, handling more than 17 million tonnes of trade across 423 vessel visits each year. With 470 hectares of landholding, it is a key enabler of Western Australia’s clean energy transition and advanced manufacturing growth across the South West.
 
About You
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead one of Western Australia’s most significant regional ports through a period of strategic growth.

You are an enterprise-minded leader with senior experience in ports, logistics, infrastructure or related industries. You have led multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments, , balancing customer, commercial and operational priorities. You bring strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills, experience in maintenance and asset-intensive environments, a sound understanding of safety, regulatory and risk frameworks, and the judgement to perform under pressure.
The following will be highly regarded:

• Experience in supply chain dynamics
• Experience in organisational transformation or operating model change
• Understanding of regional Western Australia and community drivers
• A track record championing enterprise-first thinking and reducing silos
• Qualifications in business or a related discipline

 
Location
This role is based in Bunbury, with regular engagement across the South West region and periodic travel to other Southern Ports’ locations. Bunbury offers an exceptional regional lifestyle with pristine beaches, strong community connections, excellent schools and healthcare, and proximity to the Margaret River region and Perth metropolitan area.
 
To Apply
Please click on the "Additional Information" button to download a copy of the Candidate Information Pack. For more information, please contact email Lindsay Woods at lwoods@derwentsearch.com.au quoting reference number 34337.
To apply: Please lodge your application via the link in this advertisement. Applications close COB Friday 22nd May 2026.