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A watershed moment for community housing
Location: Canberra (preferred) or Sydney, with regular travel
Australian Community Housing is the new national voice for the community housing sector, formed by the merger of PowerHousing Australia and the Community Housing Industry Association; two organisations with a shared vision for advancing and supporting the community housing sector. At a time when housing is at the forefront of political agendas across Australia, we are seeking an inaugural CEO to maintain this focus on housing funding and delivery.
This is a rare opportunity to shape a new organisation from the ground up, unify a passionate sector, and influence both federal and state government policy at the highest levels. The CEO will be a critical part of this important change and will lead this national body to position it as THE voice of community housing across Australia. The successful candidate will be a strategic, calm, and credible leader who can bring people together, build trust, influence key decision-makers and deliver results.
They will:
While an understanding of the housing sector would be beneficial, those who work in related sectors with touchpoints to housing would also be well positioned, including adjacent peak bodies, superannuation, insurance, consulting or government. Proven leadership experience in a complex, member-based or advocacy organisation would be useful. A collaborative, diplomatic, and inclusive leadership style with strong operational and change management capabilities is essential.
With federal and state investment, a national housing crisis demanding action, and a new national body ready to lead, this is a
once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a lasting impact. The Australian Community Housing Conference in November will be a key milestone
for bringing members together and the CEO leadership will be central to its success.
A copy of the Candidate Brief can be found at: https://www.watermarksearch.com.au/position-descriptions?123
For a confidential discussion, please call Alison Myatt of Watermark Search International on 02 9233 1200 or email search@watermarksearch.com.au.
Please send an application quoting Ref No A005976 to Watermark via this link:
https://watermarksearchinternational.snapforms.com.au/form/application-form-sydney-search
Closing date: Sunday 20 July 2025 at 11.59pm AEST
The association sector is in the middle of a leadership handover.
Across Australia and New Zealand, CEOs and Executive Directors are moving on. Some are retiring. Some have gone to larger organisations.
Some have left because the relationship with their Board ran out of puff. The reasons vary, but the movement is noticeable, and Boards are
appointing replacements.
The encouraging part is the calibre of the people coming in. Many are genuinely well suited to the job — capable executives with strong
records behind them. A good number are stepping into an association CEO role for the first time.
Most associations can provide a long list of membership benefits. They may include professional development, advocacy, networking, industry information, events, resources, accreditation, discounts and access to specialist advice. However, a list of benefits does not necessarily explain why someone makes the decision to join.
While every Board is different, the same governance issues appear time and again. One of the most common is allowing one person’s behaviour
to dominate the Board table.
Almost every Board has experienced it at some point. One director who seems to consume more time and energy than everyone else combined.
How we help membership based, not-for-profit associations now and into the future.
