Executive Director
Contract type
Full Time
Location
Darwin
Industry
Executive & Management
Contact name
Niamh Foley
Contact email
niamh@orchardtalent.com.au
Contact phone
02 9157 6222
Date published
24.07.2026
The organisation
The Environment Centre NT (ECNT) is the Northern Territory's leading environmental campaigning and advocacy organisation. For more than 40 years, ECNT has worked alongside communities to protect the Territory's unique landscapes, climate, water and biodiversity through evidence-based advocacy, public campaigns and policy influence.
Working in partnership with First Nations communities, environmental organisations, government, supporters and donors, ECNT is a respected and influential voice for environmental protection across Australia and internationally. As the Territory continues to experience significant environmental, economic and political change, ECNT has an important role to play in ensuring environmental sustainability remains central to policy, development and community decision-making.
The opportunity
Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director is responsible for leading the organisation's strategic direction, organisational performance and public influence. At a pivotal time for the Northern Territory's environmental future, you will provide leadership that ensures ECNT remains a trusted and influential voice in shaping public policy and community action.
You will lead the implementation of ECNT's strategic plan while identifying emerging environmental and political priorities, ensuring the organisation remains responsive, influential and focused on achieving its mission. Working across advocacy, campaigning and policy, you will guide evidence-based campaigns that bring together community engagement, media, legal and political advocacy to influence decision-makers and create lasting change.
As the organisation's principal spokesperson, you will build trusted relationships with First Nations communities, government, partners, members, supporters and philanthropic organisations, representing ECNT with credibility across a diverse stakeholder landscape. Working closely with the Board, you will strengthen organisational capability, foster a collaborative and values-driven culture, and ensure long-term financial sustainability and good governance of the organisation.
About you
You are an accomplished leader who combines strategic authority with a strong commitment to environmental and social impact. Whether your experience has been gained within the environmental movement, advocacy, public policy, community services or another purpose-led sector, you have successfully led organisations through complexity while remaining focused on mission and outcomes.
You bring outstanding judgement and political awareness, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk and influence policy in complex stakeholder environments. You are an exceptional communicator with the credibility to influence diverse stakeholders and build support for ECNT’s mission.
You have demonstrated success leading high-performing teams, building organisational capability and fostering an inclusive, values-driven culture. You are commercially astute, with experience ensuring sound financial stewardship, organisational sustainability and effective governance, and you are comfortable working closely with Boards and diverse stakeholders.
Above all, you are a courageous, collaborative and authentic leader who inspires confidence, leads with integrity and is passionate about protecting the Northern Territory's unique environment for future generations.
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion and/or a copy of the executive brief, please contact Jess Lewy or Niamh Foley of The Orchard Talent Group at ECNT@orchardtalent.com.au. To apply please submit your current CV and a brief cover letter (max 750 words) via email to ECNT@orchardtalent.com.au. Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.
Applications close Sunday 23 August.
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.
The Environment Centre NT (ECNT) is the Northern Territory's leading environmental campaigning and advocacy organisation. For more than 40 years, ECNT has worked alongside communities to protect the Territory's unique landscapes, climate, water and biodiversity through evidence-based advocacy, public campaigns and policy influence.
Working in partnership with First Nations communities, environmental organisations, government, supporters and donors, ECNT is a respected and influential voice for environmental protection across Australia and internationally. As the Territory continues to experience significant environmental, economic and political change, ECNT has an important role to play in ensuring environmental sustainability remains central to policy, development and community decision-making.
The opportunity
Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director is responsible for leading the organisation's strategic direction, organisational performance and public influence. At a pivotal time for the Northern Territory's environmental future, you will provide leadership that ensures ECNT remains a trusted and influential voice in shaping public policy and community action.
You will lead the implementation of ECNT's strategic plan while identifying emerging environmental and political priorities, ensuring the organisation remains responsive, influential and focused on achieving its mission. Working across advocacy, campaigning and policy, you will guide evidence-based campaigns that bring together community engagement, media, legal and political advocacy to influence decision-makers and create lasting change.
As the organisation's principal spokesperson, you will build trusted relationships with First Nations communities, government, partners, members, supporters and philanthropic organisations, representing ECNT with credibility across a diverse stakeholder landscape. Working closely with the Board, you will strengthen organisational capability, foster a collaborative and values-driven culture, and ensure long-term financial sustainability and good governance of the organisation.
About you
You are an accomplished leader who combines strategic authority with a strong commitment to environmental and social impact. Whether your experience has been gained within the environmental movement, advocacy, public policy, community services or another purpose-led sector, you have successfully led organisations through complexity while remaining focused on mission and outcomes.
You bring outstanding judgement and political awareness, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk and influence policy in complex stakeholder environments. You are an exceptional communicator with the credibility to influence diverse stakeholders and build support for ECNT’s mission.
You have demonstrated success leading high-performing teams, building organisational capability and fostering an inclusive, values-driven culture. You are commercially astute, with experience ensuring sound financial stewardship, organisational sustainability and effective governance, and you are comfortable working closely with Boards and diverse stakeholders.
Above all, you are a courageous, collaborative and authentic leader who inspires confidence, leads with integrity and is passionate about protecting the Northern Territory's unique environment for future generations.
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion and/or a copy of the executive brief, please contact Jess Lewy or Niamh Foley of The Orchard Talent Group at ECNT@orchardtalent.com.au. To apply please submit your current CV and a brief cover letter (max 750 words) via email to ECNT@orchardtalent.com.au. Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.
Applications close Sunday 23 August.
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.
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