At Tasracing Pty Ltd, racing is our passion! We aim for excellence; we communicate clearly and encourage teamwork.

Tasracing is the principal racing authority in Tasmania, responsible for providing the strategic direction and funding to the three codes of racing across the state - thoroughbred, harness and greyhound. In accordance with its legislative obligations, Tasracing is responsible for the development of racing and breeding, the making of rules, the funding of clubs, as well as providing stakes, negotiating media rights and managing racing and training venues.

Your Department

The Chief Veterinary & Animal Welfare Officer function is ultimately responsible for the strategic direction, sustainability and growth of positive racing retirement and placement outcomes for racehorses (thoroughbred and standard bred) and greyhounds across Tasmania.

Role Purpose

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team reporting directly to the COO, the CVAW Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the welfare of racing animals across the three codes of racing in Tasmania and delivering tangible business and program outcomes that facilitate continued progress in animal welfare. Providing effective management to the broader Animal Welfare team and its cornerstone industry programs, the CVAW Officer is responsible for promoting and enhancing animal welfare in accordance with industry expectations and achieving legislative and best practice animal welfare objectives within budget allocation.

The role requires a complex competency set, including the ability to combine a love for racing animals with people leadership skills, the ability to innovate, the ability to proactively engage stakeholders and the general public, and to deliver tangible business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and services to Tasracing and the Tasmanian racing industry to ensure veterinary and animal welfare services are delivered to a high standard and in accordance with the Rules of Racing, Racing Regulation Act 2004 and relevant animal welfare legislation.
• Provide high level analysis of emerging issues relating to racing animal welfare, disease control, and racing integrity, and collaborate with the stewarding, intelligence, analytical divisions within the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) to support appropriate short and long-term regulatory strategy, including research and development initiatives, to ensure that the Tasmanian racing industry continues to maintain its public licence.
• Lead a strategic and operational drive to ensure that Tasracing meets its animal welfare objectives, specifically in respect to relevant recommendations from the Sykes Review (2022).
• Prepare briefs to the Minister for Racing via the CEO on animal welfare and integrity.
• Prepare reports, correspondence and evidentiary documents appropriate to various target audiences, including operational and strategic plans, literature reviews, standard operating procedures.
• Establish and maintain Tasracing’s representation at state, national and international networks and bodies participating in high level forums for the veterinary care and regulation of racing animals, maintaining expert knowledge of animal welfare issues, equine and canine disease, racing injuries and emerging trends within the racing industry.

Duties include

• Participate in quarterly industry consultations forums on veterinary and animal welfare matters.
• Prepare animal welfare and veterinary recurring and ad-hoc papers for the Tasracing Board and Minister for Racing as requested.
• Provide authoritative advice on racing animal physiology, particularly as it relates to animal welfare and prohibited substances, to stewards and other regulators, including as an expert witness at inquiries and appeals.
• Participate in the planning and execution of multi-agency research projects.
• Provide veterinary leadership and development:
• Events, Marketing and Promotion:
• Reporting & Communication:
• Budget Management:
• Leadership and Performance Management:
• Workplace Health and Safety

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science
• Current Member Australian Veterinary Association
• Current registration with state veterinary peak body or board
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in senior executive level veterinary or animal welfare roles
• Demonstrated experience in the successful implementation and management of complex customer and marking-facing operational programs within budget and timeframe expectations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and success in an equivalent senior leadership level position.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a diverse team of people toward delivery of tangible outcomes whilst fostering a constructive team culture where team members feel purpose and respect.
• Experience in balancing a strategic and operational focus within a small team in order to achieve outcomes.
• Experience managing a departmental budget and assisting with financial aspects associated with the delivery of specialised programs.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with external experts and consultants
• Current “C” class drivers’ licence.

At Tasracing, we promote and respect the unique contribution of all people, and strongly encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, people from diverse backgrounds, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans, parents, and individuals differently abled to apply.

To obtain a copy of the position description or for more information, please email Andrew.

To apply for the position of Chief Veterinary & Animal Welfare (CVAW) Officer please submit a covering letter, outlining your previous experience, and your resume through the SEEK website.

Applications close 9:00am Wednesday 26 October 2022

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