Chief Executive Officer | Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce is a leading Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and registered charity who provide business support, improve visibility and networks, strengthen relationships and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Victoria.

About the Role

Working directly with key stakeholders, government and a board of directors, the CEO will be responsible for implementing Kinaway’s strategic plan and for growing and developing the Corporations investment in its people. Additionally, it is expected the CEO will drive expansion of business interests with a vision to create a sustainable business model, which must include the engagement and empowerment of its members among the public by investing in the community’s future. Engagement with a broad range of valued stakeholders is required, so the CEO must be comfortable dealing with people at all levels. 

As the CEO, you will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company, overseeing day-to-day operations and driving growth and innovation, ensuring the continued success and sustainability of the organisation.

Also, a track record of growing an organisation with a high-performance culture that truly values diversity of thought and experience. Your exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills combined with public presentation, community engagement expertise and strategic and commercial acumen will be highly regarded. At an interpersonal level, you have great communication skills and political nous, and bring a high level of energy and a growth mindset. Expertise in government advocacy, liaison and engagement is mandatory as you will be recognised for your high emotional intelligence and impactful leadership as a CEO, campaigner, policy or communications director. 

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in driving strategic initiatives and the financial management and community development of Aboriginal communities

• Deep understanding of Aboriginal Corporations and high regard for the social and economic development of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community

• Excellent knowledge of Native Title and the new Heritage Act or legal background

• Success in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a board, staff, Aboriginal peoples and a wide variety of stakeholders, government, and commercial partners

• Ideally, the successful candidate will have relevant tertiary qualifications and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a CEO role or 5 years in senior leadership role

• Previous P&L and line management accountabilities for 7+ years and demonstrated financial literacy are essential

• Provide strategic vision, leadership, governance, and a strongly held commitment to openness, honesty and inclusivity

• Political astuteness and awareness and a demonstrated capability and capacity to understand and work effectively with diverse interest groups and power bases within organisations and the wider community, and to understand and manage the dynamics that exist between groups

• An understanding of the importance of developing, maintaining and enhancing strategic stakeholder relationships and partnerships with a demonstrated ability to appropriately embrace a variety of approaches to gain support and influence diverse parties, including but not limited to influencing at executive and ministerial level, with the aim of securing outcomes

• An effective and confident public speaker with the capability and confidence to network, communicate, promote and present on behalf of Kinaway, and the ability to deal with media when required

We encourage you to apply if you:

• At least a university bachelor level degree, or relevant legal background and experience

• Minimum three years’ experience working in: strategic development of national or state law and policy matters or a senior executive, policy or legal role at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Legal Service, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or in the Executive Management sector

• Demonstrated ability to conduct research and analysis of complex information in order to contribute to business development, law reform and justice advocacy

• Ideally be an existing Chief Executive Officer or senior leader with strong knowledge of and expertise of government and the broader public purpose sector

• Demonstrated history of being part of Boards & Advisory

If you have any questions regarding the role, please email Illana (illanaa@kinaway.com.au) or Nurhan (nurhana@kinaway.com.au)

Please provide your most current CV, and a cover letter addressing points where you have relevant experience.