Chief Executive Officer

About the role

ACTCOSS, established in 1963, is the peak body for the community sector in the ACT and advocates for people experiencing poverty, disadvantage and inequality. It is a small but influential organisation with about 15 staff and an annual turnover of around $2 million. The outgoing CEO, Dr Devin Bowles, concludes his appointment in January 2027, and ACTCOSS is seeking a new CEO based in Canberra who reports to the Board through the Chair.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and organisational leadership to deliver the Strategic Plan 2025-2029, focusing on advocacy impact and financial sustainability.
• Lead the sector's advocacy and policy agenda, turning advocacy into measurable policy and funding outcomes ahead of the ACT election in October 2028.
• Strengthen collective advocacy and lead government and political stakeholder engagement across the ACT.
• Act as the official spokesperson for ACTCOSS with government, the community sector and the media.
• Build relationships with members, the Peaks Forum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community partners and the national COSS network.
• Maintain financial sustainability and develop revenue streams for future growth.
• Support the Board with governance, risk and compliance, and foster a workforce culture of courage, collaboration, integrity and cultural humility.

Required profile

• An experienced social policy, advocacy or community sector executive with a track record leading a mission-driven membership, peak or service delivery organisation.
• Ability to turn strategic advocacy into measurable policy and funding outcomes, ideally in community services, human services or peak bodies.
• Sound operational leadership with financial and commercial acumen for a small organisation.
• Highly developed advocacy, media and government relations skills, and the judgement to act as an ambassador for ACTCOSS.
• Affinity with, and ability to build trusted relationships with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
• Tertiary qualification in social policy, public administration, law or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications and AICD or equivalent governance credentials are well regarded.
• Experience in an ACT Government or peak and advocacy body setting is highly valued.
• Current working rights in Australia; applications close on 1 November.