CEO - Forest & Wood Products Australia

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead a nationally significant industry services organisation at a pivotal time for the Australian forest and wood products sector. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of an industry central to innovation, sustainability, regional prosperity and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

About FWPA
FWPA is an industry-owned, not-for-profit Rural Research and Development Corporation that partners with the Australian Government and industry stakeholders to invest in research, development, extension and market development initiatives. FWPA plays a critical role in improving the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of Australia’s forest and wood products industry, while supporting positive economic, environmental and social outcomes across the entire value chain.

Guided by its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, FWPA works collaboratively with growers, processors, manufacturers, specifiers, wood product users, government and research partners to drive demand for innovative and sustainable wood products, strengthen industry capability, and provide leadership as the peak industry services company.

The Opportunity
Reporting to the Board, the CEO will provide strategic, operational and stakeholder leadership across the organisation. The successful candidate will lead delivery of FWPA’s strategic priorities, maintain strong governance and financial stewardship, and build trusted relationships with members, government, research institutions and broader industry stakeholders including elements of the building supply chain. The CEO will also act as a visible ambassador for FWPA and the forestry industry more broadly.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the execution of FWPA’s strategic plan and ensure delivery of measurable outcomes for members, government and industry stakeholders.
• Provide strong executive leadership to a professional and high performance senior management team across strategy, operations, people, culture, risk, governance and financial performance.
• Build and maintain highly effective relationships with the Board, levy payers, members, government, research partners and industry leaders.
• Oversee investment in research, development and extension programs and market development initiatives that improve industry capability, competitiveness and sustainability.
• Act as FWPA’s key spokesperson with credibility and influence, promoting the role of forest and wood products in a modern, sustainable economy.
• Position FWPA to assist the industry to respond to sector disruption, policy reform and emerging opportunities.
• Influence standards, codes and regulatory settings to support the increased use of sustainable wood products.
• Promote a high-performing, collaborative and values-driven organisational culture.
• Ensure FWPA continues to operate with transparency, accountability and with a strong focus on stakeholder value.

About You

• A proven CEO or senior executive with experience leading complex organisations, ideally in industry, agribusiness, research, manufacturing, natural resources, member-based or government-linked environments or the building supply chain.
• A strategic and commercially astute leader with the ability to translate long-term vision into practical outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement, including working effectively with boards, government, industry participants and external partners.
• Strong governance, financial management and organisational leadership capability.
• An understanding of, or strong capacity to quickly grasp, the forest and wood products sector, innovation systems, sustainability drivers, the built environment and policy context.
• An authentic and influential communicator who can build confidence, alignment and momentum across diverse stakeholder groups.
• A commitment to collaboration, integrity, accountability and public value.
• Although helpful, experience in the forest and wood products industry, research, marketing or the RDC sector is not essential. A deep understanding of the building supply chain will be highly regarded.

Why join FWPA This is an opportunity to lead an organisation with a clear national purpose, a strong collaborative mandate and the ability to influence meaningful outcomes across industry, research, innovation and sustainability. The CEO will play a central role in positioning the sector for long-term growth and relevance in an evolving economic and environmental landscape.

To apply please submit your resume and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. For a confidential discussion and/or to request the position description, please contact René Johnson at consultant@pacificsearch.com.au           

Applications close Sunday June 21, 2026. APPLY NOW

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