Build capacity for social justice

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced executive or senior manager to take on the Chief Executive Officer role at Lirata. We are looking for a CEO to provide both strategic leadership and operational oversight. Specifically, the role requires you to:

• Lead an organisation that achieves broad positive social impact through providing innovative and best practice consultation, evaluation, and training services to government, non-government, and corporate clients;
• Take on a high impact role with broad remit, focussed on driving and monitoring Lirata’s strategic direction in the next phase of the organisation’s development;
• Use your leadership and management skills to guide a committed team of staff in delivering a variety consultancy and social justice initiatives and projects; and
• Work closely with a supportive, proactive, and visionary Board.

This role offers a dynamic and highly rewarding prospect for someone with extensive management experience and a passion for delivering positive outcomes for communities across Australia.

About Lirata

Lirata Ltd (www.lirata.com) is an independent not-for-profit organisation based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. We are a ‘social justice multiplier’, magnifying the efforts of the many organisations and individuals working for positive change.

We are a Social Traders certified social enterprise. We deliver our work through consultancy, capacity building and systems advocacy. Each year we work on 25+ social impact projects across Australia, assisting governments and social purpose organisations to plan, review, evaluate and further develop their work, to create positive outcomes for communities.

About this position

This position will oversee all aspects of Lirata’s operations. You are the linkage point between the Board and the operational organisation, and receive delegated authority from the Board for operational matters. You manage staff of the organisation and delegate responsibilities to other staff to enable the organisation’s work and functions to occur.

Your responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the operational implementation of Lirata’s strategic plan, to achieve the organisation’s purpose and strategic directions while remaining financially sound
• Overseeing and contributing to Lirata’s business activities including consultancy, capacity building and social justice projects
• Overseeing the recruitment, contracting, management, development, performance review and (where necessary) termination of staff
• Managing Lirata’s finances
• Establishing and implementing policies and systems across all areas of management and corporate systems, including human resources, finance, risk and compliance, knowledge management, infrastructure, communications and other areas
• Providing information, advice and support to the Board to enable it to properly fulfill its governance role.

You will have a focus on strategic matters, business development and organisational development, rather than the minutiae of day-to-day operational decisions or project work. However, this may vary over time depending on operational requirements and risks that emerge.

You will work directly with the Board, Senior Consultants and the Administration Coordinator to manage the operations of Lirata. You will engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and project partners including members of diverse communities, executives, managers, Board members and funders.

You will work with the leadership group to implement Lirata’s operational plan and drive business development including identifying opportunities and bringing in new work. You will take a leadership role in stakeholder engagement and management, supervise and support Lirata’s senior and administrative staff, and drive quality improvement of our services.

This is an exciting and rewarding role due to its variety, pace and scope for innovation.

In this role, your work will have a direct positive impact for dozens of organisations, contributing to better outcomes for hundreds of thousands of Australians.

For full responsibilities and key selection criteria, download the position description below.

What we offer you

• A workplace with strong lived social justice values
• A very positive, welcoming and collaborative culture where all staff feel valued and included
• A high level of flexibility in work locations and times
• A fulfilling role contributing to positive social impact.

Lirata does not currently have an office and the majority of staff work from home or at a co-working space that is made available two days per week. This position will typically involve working from home 3-4 days per week, and working onsite 1-2 days per week. We have strong communication systems, frequent staff check-ins, and regular supervision to ensure that all staff feel connected and supported. You will receive monthly, or as needed support from the Board Co- Chairs.

About you

You have a personal commitment to social justice, and you are resilient and flexible, able to adapt in the face of challenges and persist to achieve long-term goals. You are excited to lead a high-performing team making a meaningful difference in the world.

You are experienced in all aspects of organisational management including human resource, financial, compliance, risk, communication, reporting and quality improvement.

You have experience in managing and developing staff, and leading teams.

You have demonstrated skills in project management and excellent analytical and problem solving abilities. Your strong collaborative approach and outstanding people and communication skills enable you to work well with diverse stakeholders.

Ideally you have sector knowledge within health, community services and/or education, and knowledge and experience of consultancy.

Lirata is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit for diversity, as well as skills and organisational fit.

• We are an LGBTIQA+ inclusive and supportive organisation.
• We value cultural diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds.
• People from First Nations backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this role.

Prior to applying

• Send an expression of interest email including your contact details addressed to Justin Welfare and Celia Clapp at [email protected] using the subject line: Chief Executive Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.
• Lirata’s Co-Chairs Justin Welfare or Celia Clapp will contact you for a short confidential conversation prior to you submitting your application.

A position description is attached.