Chief Executive Officer - Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation

Chief Executive Officer - Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation

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:

• Driving sustainable national growth across Signature 7‑Day Rides, multi‑day challenge events, and emerging participation products
  
• Expanding revenue and fundraising impact, including sponsorship, partnerships and new commercial streams
  
• Positioning Chain Reaction as a premium leadership and CSR platform, strengthening our national profile across corporate, philanthropic and community networks
  
• Building a scalable, efficient operating model that supports growth while safeguarding the prestige, culture and integrity of our flagship experiences
  
• Mobilising and inspiring our national alumni community to champion impact and amplify reach

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:

• Experience scaling or transforming an organisation, business unit or high‑engagement brand
  
• Strong business development and revenue‑generation capability
  
• Confidence engaging senior executives, Boards and diverse partners
  
• Brand and marketing acumen — able to elevate a premium purpose‑driven offering in the national market
  
• Governance maturity, financial literacy and operational discipline
  
• A leadership style that is collaborative, credible and inspiring — able to mobilise high‑performing business leaders and community champions

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:

• Purpose — improving the lives of children facing hardship
  
• Leadership — uniting Australia’s business community through challenge
  
• Community — a nationwide network bonded by shared effort and impact
  
• Performance — delivering premium, high‑impact experiences with integrity

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

Other Articles

Published April 24, 2026

The photo with the Minister is not an advocacy strategy

“Government doesn’t remember associations that show up. It remembers the ones that show up with something to say.”

Read more

Published April 24, 2026

Is your association actually talking to its members — or just invoicing them?

"What an undecided member needs isn't another email — it's a conversation."

Read more

Published April 22, 2026

Thinking About Increasing Your Membership Fees

There is one financial decision that shapes your organisation's future more than almost any other. And most association CEOs handle it badly — not because they lack the numbers, but because they lack the nerve.

Read more