ceo

Overview

Join to apply for the CEO role at Illawarra Mercury

This is not just another executive role — it is an extraordinary opportunity to stand at the forefront of change, leading Australia's first Women's Trauma Recovery Centre, dedicated to healing from domestic, family and sexual violence, and systemic transformation. You will lead a growing, values-driven organisation that is rewriting the story of recovery and healing for women impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence.

• Salary: Generous salary based on your experience + super & salary packaging – maximise your take-home pay.
• Lead a pioneering feminist, community-based organisation driving real systemic change in a challenging but critical sector.
• Work-life balance with a culture of flexibility and well-being.
• Extra leave days to support self-care.
• Professional development and study leave to grow alongside the organisation.

About the Organisation

The Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre is a ground-breaking initiative providing holistic, trauma-informed recovery and healing services. Beyond service delivery, the Centre will be a powerful voice for advocacy and reform — committed to dismantling barriers to healing and support, amplifying women's voices, and creating a community where recovery, healing and empowerment becomes possible.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional and values-driven Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the Centre into its next chapter of growth and influence. Reporting to the Board, you will have the rare opportunity to shape the Centre's long-term strategy to be a centre of excellence, support a skilled and committed team, and strengthen its national voice as a leading advocate for domestic, family and sexual violence trauma recovery.

This is a role where your leadership will directly impact lives — building a sustainable, visible, and influential organisation that supports women and families to heal, thrive, and reclaim their futures.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the Centre's strategic vision and execution in partnership with the Board.
• Ensure operational excellence, financial sustainability, and best practice risk management.
• Provide visionary, feminist leadership, embedding trauma-informed principles throughout the organisation.
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of service delivery and operations.
• Champion a positive, values-driven culture, prioritising staff well-being, collaboration, and innovation.
• Lead advocacy and stakeholder engagement with government, unions, and community partners.

About You

You are a committed, compassionate, and visionary leader with the integrity, skills and dedication to support your team, grow the Centre, and drive systemic change.

You Will Bring

• Postgraduate qualifications in health, public health, management, administration, or equivalent degrees and/or experience.
• Demonstrated, successful experience in a CEO, Executive Director, or GM role, ideally in the domestic, family or sexual and/or social justice sector.
• 10+ years' senior leadership experience with proven governance and strategy expertise.
• Strong track record in building and unifying diverse teams, fostering culture, and managing conflict sensitively.
• In-depth understanding of the domestic, family or sexual sector, and healing models.
• High-level political and stakeholder engagement skills, balancing grassroots advocacy with national influence.
• Demonstrated commitment to feminist and social justice principles.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

Confidential Discussion

For a Confidential Discussion, contact Alana on 0481 814 *** or *****@berecruitment.com.au

Equal Employment Opportunity

Being female is considered a genuine occupational qualification under Section 31 of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those with diverse lived experiences. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to support the community and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Please note that having a criminal record will not automatically exclude your application. We recognise that women can have experiences with the criminal justice system that are discriminatory and unjust.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Other

Job function

• Business Development and Sales

Industries

• Technology, Information and Media

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