Families Australia is the national peak body dedicated to strengthening the wellbeing of children, young people and families across Australia. It provides national leadership to influence policy, drive systems reform and amplify the voices of families, particularly those experiencing vulnerability.
Operating at the intersection of government, the community sector, researchers and families, Families Australia plays a critical role in shaping national policy and service systems. Through advocacy, collaboration and evidence-informed approaches, it ensures that lived experience informs the design and delivery of policy and programs.
Central to national policy dialogue, Families Australia has contributed to reform for more than two decades, including the development of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, and convenes the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing, bringing together over 250 organisations and researchers to influence national debate and reform.
The opportunity
This role sits at the centre of policy, advocacy and system reform for children, young people and families. Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will lead Families Australia’s strategic direction, policy agenda and national engagement, positioning the organisation as a trusted and influential national voice across government and the sector. This includes direct engagement with Ministers, departments and national stakeholders to help shape policy priorities and reform agendas.
The role is Canberra-based or requires regular and meaningful presence in Canberra, given its federal engagement.
Operating across Commonwealth, state and territory systems, the CEO will navigate a complex, multi-level policy environment, building bipartisan relationships and aligning stakeholders to influence meaningful reform. The role requires the ability to operate credibly at a national level, balancing external influence with internal leadership to ensure organisational sustainability, effective governance and a high-performing team. The role requires a hands-on approach, balancing external influence with oversight of a lean and high-performing team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing national leadership on child safety, safeguarding and prevention of harm, influencing national frameworks and public debate
- Leading strategy execution in partnership with the Board, positioning Families Australia as a national leader in systems reform
- Building and maintaining relationships across government, peak bodies, ACCOs, researchers and lived experience leaders, convening national dialogue across jurisdictions
- Leading national advocacy, including direct engagement with Ministers, departments and senior decision-makers to influence policy direction
- Driving evidence-informed policy development, translating research and lived experience into practical reform
- Ensuring strong organisational leadership across culture, people, governance and operational performance
- Leading financial sustainability and revenue diversification to support long-term impact
You are an experienced executive leader with a track record operating at a national or jurisdictionally complex level, ideally within government, a peak body or a comparable for-purpose environment. You bring the ability to influence policy, build trusted relationships and navigate Australia’s federated system to deliver impact at scale.
You will demonstrate:
- Experience influencing policy at a national level and engaging effectively with Ministers, departments and senior officials
- Strong understanding of Australia’s federated system and the ability to navigate cross-jurisdictional policy environments
- Experience within a peak body, membership organisation or similarly complex environment
- Demonstrated capability across strategy, governance, financial management and organisational leadership
- Proven ability to build and manage complex stakeholder relationships across sectors and jurisdictions
- Ability to translate research, evidence and lived experience into policy and advocacy outcomes
- High levels of emotional intelligence, communication and cultural capability, including engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families
What’s on Offer
- A national CEO role shaping policy, systems and outcomes for children, young people and families
- Direct influence on government decision-making and national reform agendas
- Lead a recognised peak body at the centre of policy, advocacy and sector leadership
- Drive meaningful, evidence-informed change through advocacy, collaboration and reform
- Competitive executive remuneration package
How to apply
For a confidential discussion or to learn more about the role, please contact Josh Kyle of The Orchard Talent Group at josh@orchardtalent.com.au.
To apply, please submit your current CV via the link.
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.