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AES
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AES
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Us
Contact
Us
The role
The Board of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) Board is seeking to appoint a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and purpose-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation with passion and energy as it seeks to drive a step change in effective philanthropic giving to climate and environment.
Reporting to an engaged Board, the CEO will lead the executive team to deliver a strategy that grows AEGN’s network and harnesses its members’ resources and influence. The CEO will provide strategic leadership, direction and guidance for the organisation’s activities and programs.
With a delivery mindset and a proven capacity to engage a diverse set of partners and stakeholders, to grow influence and to lead change, the successful candidate will have a good understanding of the environmental and philanthropic sectors. The appointee will have strong management and commercial capabilities and an ability to develop and inspire teams. As the voice and face of AEGN, the CEO will be an exceptional communicator and an effective advocate for the sector.
The role can be based in either Melbourne or Sydney.
The organisation
The Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) is a member organisation that aims to harness the power of philanthropy to help protect our environment, including priorities of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
AEGN was founded in 2008 by a small group of philanthropic foundations supporting environmental charities and was largely based on the model of the US Environmental Grantmakers Association.
Today, AEGN is Australia’s peak membership organisation for environmental and climate philanthropy. Its 200+ members are trusts, foundations, and individual donors, community foundations and many private philanthropic funds and donors.
The organisation provides broad support and guidance across the full spectrum of climate and environmental solutions, focusing on its core business of connecting donors, convening donor experiences, and curating impactful giving opportunities, including opportunities for strategic advocacy.
AEGN is part way through an ambitious strategic plan aimed at growing the level of philanthropic giving to the environment and climate, growing membership, and increasing impact.
How to apply
To receive a candidate brief or to arrange a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Fish Nankivell Partner, Andrew Abbott, on 0401 712 953 or aabbott@fishnankivell.com.
Applications must comprise a cover letter and CV and can be submitted here or emailed to aabbott@fishnankivell.com.
Applications close Friday 5 April 2024 .
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.
