Chief Executive Officer

The organisation
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (CFECFW) is the peak body representing over 150 child and family services across Victoria and Tasmania. For more than 100 years, the Centre has worked alongside government, community service organisations, academics, carers and young people to strengthen the system that supports children, young people and families.

As the sector's leading voice for policy, advocacy, research, capability building and workforce development, CFECFW plays a pivotal role in shaping reforms, elevating lived experience, and championing the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

The Centre delivers sector-wide training and professional development, leads major policy and advocacy initiatives, contributes to state and national reform agendas, and strengthens the capability of organisations working across key social policy areas. These include poverty, child protection and out-of-home care, disability, youth justice, mental health, family violence, housing and homelessness, education, alcohol and other drugs, social inclusion, and economic reform to improve outcomes for low-income families.

The opportunity
Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will lead CFECFW through its next phase of strategic development, sector impact and influence. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Victoria and Tasmania's child and family services sector by strengthening the Centre's role as a trusted advisor to government, an advocate for reform, and a leader in sector capability and development. The CEO will champion the views of member organisations and advocate with and for vulnerable children, young people and families.

The CEO will deliver visionary leadership across strategy, policy, partnerships, workforce development and organisational capability. Representing the Centre at senior levels of government and across the sector, the CEO will make sure the organisation remains future-focused, responsive to emerging needs and positioned to drive meaningful, evidence-informed reform.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strengthening the Centre's policy and advocacy influence, representing members in key reform agendas and government engagement.
• Overseeing high-quality training, workforce development, capability-building programs and sector support services.
• Continuing to build a strong, values-driven organisational culture that empowers a high-performing and engaged team.
• Developing and maintaining trusted relationships with government, peak bodies, providers, ACCOs, carers, young people and sector partners.
• Ensuring robust governance, financial sustainability and operational excellence across all functions.
• Identifying opportunities locally, nationally and internationally for innovation, growth and impact in a rapidly evolving service system.
• Leading and delivering the organisation's strategic plan, ensuring strong alignment with member, sector and community needs.

About you
You are an accomplished senior leader with experience within the child, youth, family or broader human services sector, ideally within a peak body, government, community services organisation or related environment. You bring deep policy insight, political acumen and a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

You will demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership experience with a track record of delivering influence, reform and sector impact.
• Highly developed policy, advocacy and government engagement capability.
• Strong financial, organisational and people leadership skills.
• Experience representing an organisation at executive and ministerial levels.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style that builds trust across diverse stakeholders.
• A deep commitment to social justice, children's rights, cultural safety and sector strengthening.

What's on Offer

• A sector-defining leadership role shaping the future of child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania.
• Opportunity to influence government policy, workforce capability and system reform.
• A collaborative, mission-driven environment committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.
• Competitive executive remuneration package with salary packaging benefits.
• Flexible working environment that supports balance, wellbeing and professional growth.

How to apply
 

For a confidential discussion or to learn more about the role, please contact Grace McCarron of The Orchard Talent Group at

To apply, please submit your current CV via the link.

Applications close:
Friday, 9 January 2026.

Please note: applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia.
The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.