Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is a global leader in cerebral palsy research, services and assistive technology innovation. As the world’s largest private funder of cerebral palsy research, CPA integrates research, clinical expertise, service delivery and technology to deliver measurable outcomes for people with disability. Through its world-class interventions and its innovation accelerator, Remarkable, CPA connects research, entrepreneurship and emerging technology to advance inclusion and impact. With over an 80-year legacy, CPA supports thousands of Australian families, contributes to a 50 million+ global cerebral palsy community, and mobilises more than 2,500 employees and 150,000 donors and partners to deliver sustainable, system-level change. CPA offer a diverse service delivery portfolio ranging from childhood intervention, therapy services, home & community supports, supported employment and supported independent living. CPA are here for every age, every stage and every ability.
The opportunity
This is a senior enterprise leadership role responsible for shaping and safeguarding Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s external reputation, brand and organisational narrative. Sitting at a strategic level and operating in close partnership with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, this role exists to ensure CPA is positioned clearly, consistently and credibly with all external stakeholders who influence trust, understanding and impact.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer – Corporate, the Head of External Relations & Brand will:
- Lead CPA’s enterprise brand and external relations strategy, setting clear positioning and narrative guardrails aligned to Strategy 2030
- Act as the organisation’s reputation steward, providing strategic advice to the CEO and Executive on risk, opportunity and public voice
- Define and embed a compelling organisational story that aligns advocacy, research, services, innovation and fundraising into a coherent external narrative
- Strengthen CPA’s Employer Value Proposition in partnership with People & Culture, ensuring external messaging reflects culture, values and workforce experience
About you
You are an experienced brand, corporate affairs or external relations leader who has operated at enterprise level within complex, high-trust environments. You bring strategic judgement, commercial maturity and the confidence to influence at Executive and Board level.
- Demonstrated experience leading brand or reputation strategy at national scale
- Proven ability to advise CEOs and senior executives on external positioning and reputational risk
- Experience building governance frameworks that enable decentralised teams to engage externally with clarity and discipline
- Strong stakeholder acumen across media, government, partners and sector leaders
- A clear commitment to purpose and an appreciation for operating within mission-led or regulated environments
What’s on Offer
This is not a campaign-based marketing role. It is an enterprise mandate to shape the public voice and long-term reputation resilience of one of Australia’s most respected purpose-driven organisations.
- Direct influence with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team
- A rare opportunity to steward and evolve the organisational narrative of a nationally recognised brand
- Enterprise scope across advocacy, research, services and innovation
- The ability to strengthen employer brand in a competitive workforce environment
- Meaningful impact for people with cerebral palsy in Australia and globally
- Working for an organisation with a strong team culture, where staff are proud to work for CPA.
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Lincoln Gould, Associate Partner of The Orchard Talent Group on 02 9157 6231 or email lincoln@orchardtalent.com.au. To apply please submit your current CV via the link. Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.
Closing date Sunday 22nd 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.