ceo

Looking to lead meaningful change for young people in Western Australia?

At the Youth Affairs Council WA (YACWA) we exist to help create a community where young people are respected, valued and enabled to shape the world they live in. We are a bold, trusted advocacy and systems shaping body for young people, the sector and communities that support them.

As the peak body for the youth sector, YACWA is widely respected and has a strong and diverse membership which includes policy makers, academics, youth workers and, importantly, young people, who are all passionate about achieving positive and meaningful outcomes for the children and young people of Western Australia.

At YACWA we lead a wide range of advocacy, advisory and program initiatives to strengthen youth leadership, sector development and engagement across the state.

About you:

We're looking for an inspirational and authentic leader, who is able to think creatively and engage with a wide range of stakeholders to shape change.

Visionary: Ability to think strategically, and seek and champion solutions to addressing complex youth-related issues.

Empathetic: Genuine commitment to improving the lives of young people and understanding their diverse needs.

Collaborative: Skilled in building partnerships and working collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Resilient: Capable of navigating challenges and leading the organisation and wider sector through change.

You will embody our values of Inclusivity; Courage; Curiosity; Connection.

About the role:

As the CEO of YACWA, you will provide strategic leadership and direction, and you'll connect and influence across the sector to amplify a unified voice for young people.

You will be responsible for ensuring YACWA's purpose and objectives are met, delivering impactful initiatives, and enhancing our role as a key advocate for youth issues in Western Australia.

You will lead a small but passionate team across a diverse range of initiatives, overseeing our operations, programs, and partnerships.

Key accountabilities:

Leadership: drive YACWA's strategic vision and objectives, ensuring alignment with our purpose and values. You will foster a positive and inclusive culture, support staff development, and enhance operational efficiencies.

Strategic Management, Risk Management and Performance: manage and mitigate key risks, development plans and strategies to achieve goals, and overall performance against the strategic plan.

Corporate governance and contract management: ensure compliance with all necessary contractual, regulatory and legislative requirements, and maintains effective policies and procedures.

Operations: ensure efficient and effective management of operations, delivery of programs and initiatives, including financial management, and staff supervision.

Advocacy: ensure the voices of young people are central to all advocacy initiatives, driving youth issues and policy positions

and Representation: Represent YACWA at public events, government meetings and committees, and with stakeholders to advocate for youth issues and policy changes.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with government bodies, community organisations, funding bodies, members and other key stakeholders.

Essential

• Considerable experience in providing high level strategic and operational leadership and management in a not for profit or commercial environment.
• High level interpersonal skills to engage with staff, stakeholders and the broader community to effectively network, advocate and influence at operational, policy and strategic levels.
• Demonstrated experience in managing change, developing a culture of continuous improvement and maintaining awareness and organisational readiness to respond to changing community needs and government policy
• Considerable experience in working with a Board of Directors – including effective communication, reporting, engagement and provision of quality and timely advice and support.
• Substantial experience in managing government service delivery contracts, and associated reporting and regulatory requirements.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to effectively manage financial resources and align organisational systems and resources to achieve YACWA's objectives.
• Tertiary qualifications in Business Management, Community Services, Financial Management or equivalent related to the role requirements.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of the youth homelessness sector.
• Graduate of AICD Company Directors Course or similar governance qualifications
• Experience in Social Enterprise and traditional fundraising methods

Nothing about us without us

We strive to be representative of the community we are working with. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, people living with disability, people from culturally diverse, refugee and migrant backgrounds and those with lived experience.

What YACWA Offers

A respectful, open, and supportive team that values equity, fairness and mutual support.

Additional paid time off during the end of calendar year office shutdown period.

Flexible working arrangements including the ability to work from home and flexibility in working hours. We actively encourage work-life balance

Links to extensive networks in the youth and community services sector.

Access to a free and confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Learning and development opportunities to build your skills and develop your potential, as well as opportunities to contribute across portfolio areas in the organisation.

How to Apply

Please apply via seek or by email to with the title YACWA CEO and include the following:

A cover letter that specifically addresses the selection criteria (no longer than three pages)

A copy of your resume/CV.

Contact details of at least two referees that could provide comment on your suitability for this role

Applications close 5pm Friday 31st October.

Shortlisting will commence immediately with first round interviews to be held on Friday 7th November, and second round interviews, consisting of a presentation to the Board, on Friday 14th November

We are committed to diversity and celebrating all its forms. Please let us know if we can do anything to make the application or interview process more accessible. If you are invited to an interview, we will ask you for any accessibility requirements or preferences.

Enquiries can be made to the Board Chair, Sal Cleveray, at / or on

For more information about YACWA visit

For the full position description go to