- Lead Australia’s most iconic wilderness organisation into its next chapter
- Drive ecological impact, organisational renewal and national influence
- Critical leadership role at a time of urgent environmental challenge
- National role – VIC, NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS
Shape the future of one of Australia’s leading conservation organisations to strengthen its impact & ensure it remains both influential & sustainable
The organisation
For almost five decades, The Wilderness Society (TWS) has protected, promoted and restored wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth.
With a proud history that includes landmark conservation victories and nationally significant campaigns, TWS occupies a distinct and respected niche within Australia’s environmental movement. Powered by its members, supporters and volunteers, the organisation operates through a federated model with campaign centres across the country working towards a shared national mission under a Collaborative Agreement.
At a time when environmental issues are more urgent than ever, including critical reform of Australia’s national environmental laws under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , TWS has a critical role to play. Entering its 50th year, the organisation is focused on renewing its internal coherence, strengthening its reputation and influence, and ensuring long-term financial and organisational sustainability while remaining true to its campaigning heritage.
The opportunity
Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer is the most senior leader of The Wilderness Society and plays a pivotal role at a time of urgent environmental need. This is both a leadership and renewal mandate with the CEO accountable for advancing TWS’ purpose through courageous, ethical and collaborative leadership across a complex federated organisation.
This is a defining leadership appointment. You will lead delivery of the Strategic Business Plan grounded in the Organisational Campaign Plan, ensuring ecological impact and conservation outcomes remain central while strengthening organisational unity, accountability and financial sustainability. A core element of the mandate is guiding the continued evolution of TWS’s federated model. Working with the Board, Convenors Committee and Collaborative Management Team, you will strengthen coordination and cohesion across the national network, maintaining federation values while improving clarity of authority and performance.
Externally, you will represent TWS as a credible, persuasive and mainstream voice for wilderness protection, engaging governments, policymakers, major donors, philanthropy, unions, business leaders and environmental peers. With national environmental law reform on the agenda, you will ensure TWS is informed, influential and constructive in shaping debate. Internally, you will galvanise the organisation, rebuild key capability and foster a high-performing, values-aligned culture. Financial stewardship, donor confidence and long-term sustainability will be central to securing impact for the decades ahead.
About you
You are deeply and personally committed to wilderness protection. This is not simply professional alignment; it is a cause that genuinely motivates you. You understand the distinct importance of protecting wild places and natural processes, and you are driven by the ecological impact and long-term conservation outcomes TWS delivers.
You are a strategic, values-driven leader with experience spanning conservation, advocacy, campaigning or other purpose-led organisations. You understand how to translate strategy into action and deliver measurable results in complex, politically sensitive environments.
Commercially astute, you are comfortable leading a multi-million-dollar enterprise and bring strong financial and operational judgement. You are experienced in working closely with Boards and leading organisational change in complex, multi-stakeholder or federated environments.
You are a systems thinker who can lead adaptive change, manage conflict constructively and build alignment across diverse perspectives. Externally, you are credible, persuasive and able to engage effectively with peers, policymakers, unions, business leaders and donors, and position TWS as a respected, mainstream voice for environmental protection.
Above all, you are an inspiring and persuasive leader, able to unite staff, members, donors and decision-makers behind a shared mission, restore confidence where needed, and lead The Wilderness Society into its next chapter with clarity, resilience and purpose.
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Jess Lewy or Lisa Gleichmann of The Orchard Talent Group at Wilderness@orchardtalent.com.au. To apply please submit your current CV and a cover letter by email at Wilderness@orchardtalent.com.au
Applications close Sunday 15 March 2026.
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.