DIRECTOR, STRATEGY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT - COMMUNITY WORK AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE, VIC (HYBRID)

Community Work Australia is entering an important new phase of organisational development. We are seeking an experienced senior leader to join our executive team as Director, Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement - a newly created role with responsibility for shaping organisational strategy, strengthening Community Work Australia’s external influence and helping position the organisation as the authoritative national voice for the community work profession.

We are looking for a strategist and organisational leader with the judgement, presence and experience to work closely with the CEO and fellow Directors, lead across organisational boundaries, influence senior external stakeholders and help build a cohesive and high‑performing leadership team.

About Community Work Australia

Community Work Australia is the national peak body for the community work profession.

Our purpose is to advance professional standards, strengthen recognition of community work and support community workers as skilled, ethical professionals who contribute to a fair and socially just society.

We have recently moved to a new three-portfolio structure designed to strengthen leadership, improve collaboration and better connect organisational activity with our strategic direction.

The Three Portfolios Are

• Professional Services and Standards
• Corporate Services
• Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement

The Director, Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement will play a critical role in shaping how this new leadership model develops.

The opportunity

Reporting to the CEO and working as part of the senior leadership team, you will lead a portfolio spanning:

• organisational strategy
• stakeholder engagement
• membership strategy and growth
• policy and research
• advocacy and external positioning
• communications and public profile
• sector and government relationships

The Board operates under a Carver Policy Governance model and sets the organisation’s strategic outcomes. The Director will work with the CEO and fellow Directors to translate those outcomes into clear organisational priorities, plans and action.

This is a role for someone who can think strategically, act decisively and build influence.

You Will

• help shape organisational strategy and long‑term priorities
• build Community Work Australia’s standing and influence with government, education, employers, sector bodies and the profession
• lead the development of membership and stakeholder strategies
• strengthen Community Work Australia’s policy, advocacy and research capability
• oversee communications and public positioning
• bring strategic discipline and constructive challenge to the leadership team
• work collaboratively across the organisation to reduce silos and improve coordination
• ensure the portfolio delivers measurable outcomes rather than activity for activity’s sake

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone already operating at Director or equivalent senior leadership level.

You may come from a peak body, professional association, government, policy, advocacy, consulting or another purpose‑led organisation.

What Matters Most Is That You Can Demonstrate

• strong strategic judgement and organisational leadership
• experience influencing senior stakeholders and external decision‑makers
• the ability to translate broad strategic outcomes into practical organisational action
• credibility in government, policy or sector environments
• experience leading complex stakeholder, membership, policy or advocacy functions
• strong written and verbal communication
• mature executive judgement and sound decision‑making
• the ability to work collaboratively with peers and lead through influence
• confidence representing an organisation externally
• a track record of building strategy, systems and capability rather than simply maintaining existing functions

Leadership style

This Role Will Suit Someone Who

• sees the organisation as a whole, not just their portfolio
• can challenge constructively without creating unnecessary friction
• brings clarity where there is ambiguity
• is comfortable making decisions and taking accountability
• builds the capability of others
• works collaboratively with fellow Directors
• leads by example
• can move comfortably between strategic thinking and practical implementation

Why join us?

This is a genuine opportunity to shape the next phase of a national organisation.

The role is newly created and has significant scope to influence:

• organisational strategy
• executive leadership
• membership growth
• public policy
• stakeholder relationships
• national positioning
• how Community Work Australia fulfils its role as the peak body for the community work profession

Some elements of the portfolio are established; others are evolving. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the systems, priorities, team and relationships needed for the portfolio to succeed.

Location: Melbourne

Employment type: Full‑time position

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Applications close: 11 October 2026

If you would like further information about the position or would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact Jesu Jacob, Chief Executive Officer, at ceo@communitywork.org.au

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