GetUp is seeking a dynamic and visionary CEO to lead the organisation through a period of renewal and transformation. The next CEO will be pivotal in envisioning how GetUp’s members can hold the newly-elected government accountable, while pushing for bold and systemic change that addresses the urgent challenges facing Australia – from climate change to First Nations justice, to ensuring equity is at the heart of Australia’s health and education systems.

Location

Sydney or Melbourne preferred, with other locations considered

Who is GetUp

GetUp is an independent movement of over a million people, working to build a progressive Australia and hold power to account.

In 2025, GetUp celebrates 20 years of impact, marking two decades of people-powered activism that has shaped the national conversation and achieved significant policy wins. Since its inception in 2005, GetUp members have fought to protect ABC funding, put climate action on the national agenda, challenged Australia’s inhumane refugee policies, and mobilised communities in support of marriage equality and the Voice to Parliament.

The 2025 election result has confirmed that our values are widely held by the Australian public, with progressive ideas winning at the ballot box. Now, it is our responsibility to ensure our Government understand this election result as a mandate for transformative action, rather than pursuing incremental change or maintain the status quo.

As we look to the next 20 years, GetUp must evolve to enable over 1 million members to create impact in a changing political and technological landscape. The challenges we face—including rising authoritarianism, declining media diversity, and a shifting funding environment—require bold leadership, strategic adaptation, and renewed engagement with our members and everyday Australians.

About the role

The CEO will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision that builds on GetUp’s legacy while adapting to new political, technological, and financial realities. This includes revitalising how GetUp mobilises over 1 million members and maximises impact in evolving advocacy, media, and technology landscapes.

The Board is open to innovative leadership models, including a co-CEO structure or building out complementary expertise at the Executive or Board level to ensure the organisation is equipped with the full range of skills, perspectives, and capacity needed to drive bold, systemic change.

The CEO will:

• Lead GetUp’s mission to advance progressive public policy and empower members to take action on critical issues.
• Shape and implement a strategic vision that ensures GetUp remains a leading force in advocacy and movement-building.
• Ensure GetUp holds the government accountable for its promises and works to push beyond the status quo, advocating for bold actions on climate change, social justice, and economic fairness.
• Foster a culture of innovation, resilience, and bold campaigning, ensuring GetUp adapts to the changing political and digital landscape.
• Represent GetUp to key stakeholders, including policymakers, media, donors, and partner organisations.
• Drive financial sustainability by deepening donor relationships, enhancing member-driven fundraising, and diversifying revenue streams.
• Collaborate closely with the GetUp Board, staff, and members to ensure alignment with organisational values and long-term sustainability.

The next CEO of GetUp will be a strategic, courageous, and people-focused leader who is excited to embrace change and set the course of the organisation for decades to come.

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Australia’s most impactful advocacy organisations at a critical moment in its history.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and drive an ambitious strategy for GetUp to advance progressive public policy in Australia.
• Enact GetUp’s fierce commitment to political independence in all that we do.
• Develop annual plans and oversee organisational budget in line with organisational strategy.

Communications and Stakeholder Relationships:

• Lead GetUp’s advocacy and campaigns by driving strategy, building strong relationships with policy experts, government leaders, communities, and partner organisations.
• Champion GetUp’s values and vision through public engagement, ensuring a strong, credible presence in media, political, and community spaces.
• Strengthen connections with GetUp membership and communities affected by issues they care about, creating meaningful opportunities for people to influence national issues with their time, money, and voice.
• Oversee the development and delivery of compelling communications and campaign content across all channels, ensuring alignment with GetUp’s mission and independence.

Campaign Effectiveness:

• Oversee the design, delivery and quality of campaigns, ensuring they result in real-world impact.
• Stay abreast of current political and community engagement trends, and anticipate future trends likely to impact our campaigns.
• Analyse and measure the success and impact of the organisation’s campaign efforts; refine or change campaigns/projects in response to that information.

Financial Sustainability:

• Ensure financial stability and growth to power GetUp’s long-term impact.
• Cultivate high-value relationships with philanthropic leaders and partners.
• Partner with the Executive and Board to develop a financially sustainable operating plan consistent with GetUp’s impact model and strategy.

People and Culture:

• Lead and develop GetUp’s culture of calculated risk-taking and seizing opportunities.
• Ensure the high performance of a cohesive team that is both innovative and accountable.
• Recruit and maintain a team with the relevant skills and experience, applying a strong social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion lens.
• Lead a team of advocates - prioritising presence, decision-making, transparency and collaboration.

Governance and Risk:

• Continue to build an independent, ethical and innovative organisation that conducts itself with integrity, with appropriate regard to corporate, structural and governance standards
• Manage risk in line with GetUp’s risk appetite.

Key Stakeholders

• GetUp members
• Board of Directors
• Donors
• Campaign partners
• Communities affected by the issues we campaign on
• Government bodies and regulators
• Members of Parliament
• Media

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Leadership & Strategic Vision: Proven experience as a senior leader, with the ability to develop and execute a strategic vision that aligns with GetUp’s mission and values.
• Campaign Expertise: Deep understanding of how to engage the public to effect political change for progressive causes in critical moments.
• Mobilisation Expertise: Demonstrated experience in designing and leading impactful advocacy campaigns, mobilising large-scale grassroots movements, and engaging diverse communities.
• Stakeholder & Government Relations: Experience in media relations, government engagement, and building partnerships with policymakers, donors, and advocacy groups.
• Commitment to Political Independence: Strong dedication to maintaining GetUp’s political independence, ensuring advocacy efforts remain issue-driven and free from partisan influence while upholding the organisation’s values and integrity.
• Organisational stewardship: financial acumen, effective people management, and sound governance oversight to drive sustainable, inclusive, and accountable operations—alongside the ability to empower leaders with complementary skillsets to address areas of personal or organisational development.

How to apply

Click "Apply Now". We welcome applications before the deadline date and may progress candidates for interview prior to the closing date. If you're interested in a confidential conversation prior to applying, please reach out to [email protected] using the subject line: Chief Executive Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs to arrange a time.