Join
AES
Join
AES
Contact
Us
Contact
Us
About Chain Reaction
For nearly two decades, Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation has brought together senior business leaders to take on extraordinary cycling challenges, raising more than $46 million to support children in need. What began in 2007 as a single charity ride has grown into one of Australia’s most distinctive philanthropic movements — uniting community, leadership, grit and purpose to create meaningful social impact.
As Chain Reaction approaches its 20‑year milestone, the organisation is poised for its next chapter. With a powerful mission to improve the lives of children in need through challenge, community and leadership, we are ready to scale nationally, deepen corporate engagement, and broaden participation across a growing suite of events and platforms.
We now seek a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead this evolution.
The Opportunity
This is a rare CEO role in the Australian for‑purpose sector — combining the ambition of a high‑performance organisation with the authenticity and community impact of a mission‑driven charity.
Reporting to the Founder & Chairman and Board, the CEO will shape the organisation’s future by:
This is not a traditional NFP chief executive role. It requires an entrepreneurial mindset, commercial capability and a deep orientation towards community, engagement and purpose.
Your Leadership
You are a respected, relational leader with a track record of growth, brand building and stakeholder influence. You bring both commercial discipline and mission alignment, and you thrive at the intersection of performance and purpose.
You will demonstrate:
You are strategic yet hands‑on, calm under pressure, deeply relational and energised by leading a movement defined by challenge, community and impact.
Degree qualifications in Business, Commerce or a related discipline are preferred, as is experience working closely with a Board. The role
requires travel and full participation in major events (up to 10 days on Signature Rides). The role can be based in Melbourne or Sydney.
Why Lead Chain Reaction?
Chain Reaction sits at a powerful intersection of:
The next CEO will shape the future of a movement built on meaning, connection and influence. You will lead a nationally respected charity into its next era of impact — expanding reach, strengthening partnerships, and driving life‑changing outcomes for children.
This is a role where you can lead boldly, influence deeply and create enduring social impact.
APPLY
NOW
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.
