Chief Executive Officer | The Y Australia In Australia, YMCA in Australia, or the Y as we now call ourselves, is committed to a collective leadership model which we practice with an intergenerational focus.
The Y in Australia consists of 12 Federated Member Y Associations, aligned in strategy, culture and action.
Our shared purpose globally is around empowering young people, in Australia this is expressed as our unified belief: We believe in the power of inspired young people.
THE OPPORTUNITY The Y Australia is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to champion a collaborative approach that enhances the collective strength and impact of the Y Movement in Australia.
This role is centered on stewardship and collective leadership, aiming to support and unify the Member Y Associations, build long-term sustainability, and amplify community impact.
With an established shared strategic framework and a unified brand, The Y Australia upholds the highest standards for child and youth safety, positioning itself as a respected and effective community partner.
The new CEO will build on this strong foundation, focusing on collaboration and maximizing the federation's collective potential.
The role of the new CEO is to build on this legacy, applying high-level conceptual, strategic and problem-solving skills, sound judgement and emotional intelligence.
Leading through influence, we are looking to appoint a highly credentialed experienced CEO with outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement capability.
Continuing to guide alignment to the Global YMCAs' Vision 2030 strategy development, the new Chief Executive Officer is to further connect the Y in Australia Y to the global Y ecosystem.
ROLE OVERVIEW Operating under a federated model, the CEO is responsible for: Delivering upon the national strategy for the Y Movement in Australia with strong alignment to the Global YMCA strategy.
Maintaining effective corporate governance of Y Australia and for its staff and assets.
Providing leadership within the National Office, within the Member Y Associations' CEOs Leadership Team and across the YMCA nationally and internationally.
Ensuring that the Y's Belief, Mission, Vision and Values are maintained and are at the core of all activities of the Y Movement.
SELECTION CRITERIA It is expected, the CEO will be a mission-based leader with a commitment to pursue the Y's belief that when young people are inspired, they are powerful.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in business administration, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
Leadership Experience: 8+ years demonstrated experience as a courageous, impactful leader in a collective leadership environment, preferably in a federated environment within a complex corporate and/or significant NFP at CEO or Director level.
Strategic Vision and Alignment: Ability to develop and articulate a strategic vision that aligns the interests and activities of all federated entities with the overall mission and skills in implementing strategies to ensure that the various parts of the federation work together effectively.
Leadership and Influence: A record of astute and dynamic organisational leadership and the ability to lead and influence a diverse group of independent entities, including fostering collaboration and maintaining strong relationships across different organizations.
Governance and Relationship Management: Experience working with multiple boards or governance structures, understanding their dynamics, and maintaining productive relationships as well as demonstrated success in developing effective and strong relationships across a range of internal and external stakeholders to influence and negotiate outcomes.
Resource Management: Skills in overseeing and coordinating resource allocation from federated entities to support collective goals and ensure fairness.
Operational Oversight and Efficiency: Ability to oversee and support the operational needs of multiple entities, ensuring that central and local operations are well-integrated and efficient as well as experience in identifying and implementing best practices and process improvements.
Communication and Transparency: Superior communication, stakeholder and advocacy skills and highly developed emotional intelligence able to lead and motivate diverse groups including the National Board, Member Y Association's CEOs, staff, customers, media and other external stakeholders.
A commitment to transparency and openness in decision-making processes and information sharing across the federation.
Financial Management: Expertise in managing financial health and sustainability for a federated structure, including overseeing central and distributed financial operations with the ability to manage budgets and financial planning across multiple entities, ensuring financial alignment with strategic goals.
Change Management and Adaptability: Proven ability to manage and adapt to change within a federated structure, including guiding entities through transitions or strategic shifts.
Capacity for introducing and managing innovative approaches that benefit the entire federation and address sector challenges.
Interpersonal and Cultural Sensitivity: Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse cultures and operational styles of the federated entities underpinned with strong interpersonal skills to navigate complex relationships and foster a collaborative and supportive environment.
As a key custodian of the Y Movement, uphold the Y's Beliefs, Mission, Vision and Values and be an advocate for the rights and the voice of children and young people.
Credible and trustworthy and inspire confidence and dedication from others.
High-performance standards and the ability to influence others to perform at this level.
Able to demonstrate agility to recognise and affect local, national and international opportunities.
Specific Requirements The ability to travel as required and frequently (both interstate and international) and work across time zones to incorporate the required global connections.
Satisfactory completion and maintenance of Medical, Police, Working with Children checks and Safeguarding and Health & Safety compliance.
Uphold the rights and always act in the best interest of children and young people.
Lead, champion and promote a safe environment and culture nationally, which empowers children and young people to thrive and that promotes children and young person-focused leadership and governance.
Ensure the Y actively promotes the cultural safety for children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ communities, those who are unable to live at home and those with disabilities.
Applications should be made online at and include: Cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria Current CV #J-18808-Ljbffr
