CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Independent, industry-owned not-for-profit
Set strategic direction and support sectoral change
Focus on forestry, pulp & paper, manufactured timber, furnishing & textiles sectors
About the organisation
ForestWorks is an industry owned non-for-profit organisation that offers skills development services for a highly skilled workforce within their sectors. This includes attracting and developing new workers into the sectors it services, supporting the career development of existing workers and upskilling established employees. ForestWorks also currently delivers the Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program (WSP) on behalf of the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, The WSP aims to support forestry and timber workers who are made redundant, had their employment ended or contract finished as a result of the Victorian Forestry Plan. The WSP is fully funded by the Victorian Government and available until 30 June 2026.
About the role
Reporting to the ForestWorks Board and leading a national team, the Chief Executive Officer provides visionary leadership, strategic direction and effective operational management to the organisation. With ForestWorks having recently been awarded significant program-specific funding, the organisation seeks a CEO that can ensure the organisation’s culture and capability remain strong through a period of growth and consolidation. This will require navigating complex stakeholder environments, with the CEO acting as a trusted advisor for members, the sector, service provides, stakeholders and governments. The role involves travel throughout Australia to represent the interests of ForestWorks alongside members, the sector and key partners. For the right individual, this role represents an exciting opportunity to set ForestWorks’ strategic direction and take the organisation forward for the years to come.
About you
You are a politically astute C-level leader with strengths in financial oversight and complex contract management, able to operate in multiple political contexts and negotiate and manage government and non-government funding sources. Comfortable leading organisations through periods of both growth and consolidation, you have a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation while remaining at the forefront of sector trends and best practice. You have the strategic mindset needed to set clear direction and build team cohesion around a shared vision, while maintaining the ability to roll up your sleeves and provide hands-on front line operational leadership as needed. With experience ideally gained in a closely related sector, you are energised by the opportunity to join a skill servicing organisation working to support the both forest and manufactured timber products, and the furnishing and textiles industries through a period of significant sectoral change.
For more information, please contact Matthew Belleghem at SHK via email on matthew.belleghem@shk.com.au or to apply, click ‘Apply for this job’. Please submit your resume in Microsoft Word format. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK.