Key points

• Working with Anangu Directors and leading a team of committed staff in this Aboriginal-led organisation
• The position is based at Mutitjulu Community situated within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 470kms from Alice Springs
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates are encouraged to apply
• Package circa $140K per annum including vehicle and housing (plus superannuation and salary sacrifice)

About the organisation

For over 30 years Maruku has operated as a not-for-profit art and craft corporation, owned and operated by Anangu. Approximately 900 Aboriginal artists belonging to over 20 remote communities across the Central and Western Deserts, make up the collective that is Maruku. Our purpose is to keep culture strong and alive, through art, craft and cultural tourism experiences.

Our name, Maruku, literally means “belonging to black”. This is because Maruku is owned and operated by Anangu (Aboriginal people from the Western and Central Deserts of Australia). For over 30 years Maruku has operated as a not-for-profit art and craft corporation. Our logo is ‘tali’ design. ‘Tali’ means sand dunes. You will see this pattern describing country is significant throughout our artists’ art and woodcarvings. The desert, this sand dune country is what they call home.

Anangu artists make up the collective that is Maruku. Our purpose is to keep culture strong and alive, for future generations of artists and make culture accessible in an authentic way to those that seek a more in-depth understanding. We also provide an important form of income to artists and Anangu living in remote communities across Anangu lands.

Maruku today is one of the largest and most successful Indigenous-owned and operated organisations. Currently, Maruku comprises a warehouse based in the Mutitjulu community, a retail gallery at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre, as well as a market stall in the town square of Yulara. Our main stocks are paintings and punu (wooden carvings). Additional to the retail arm, Maruku offers tours, workshops, demonstrations, traditional ceremonies and exhibitions.

About the role

The Chief Executive Officer is a hands-on role, you will build relationships with Anangu Directors, Anangu members, Anangu artists and craftspersons, and ensure all of Maruku’s work strives to achieve a stronger future for Anangu in the region. Maruku Arts have many external customers, clients and stakeholders, and the Chief Executive Officer must manage these relationships strategically, effectively and positively, always maintaining objectivity and connection to Maruku’s role and purpose as a regional Anangu organisation in every relationship that is formed.

Your leadership skills and passion for supporting people will drive all business units and staff to:

• Understand how to value and empower Anangu culture, the role of Anangu and the role of Maruku staff in the context of Maruku’s work
• Achieve defined results, including the development and operational implementation of any required business, marketing and communication plans across the organisation
• Provide exceptional customer service at all times
• Understand their role in building and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships at all times
• Uphold Maruku's values and code of conduct in everything they do

The Chief Executive Officer is also responsible for all of Maruku’s governance requirements, including board, regulatory, legal, financial, human resource management and contractual obligations across the following core business units:

• Governance and Board
• Shared Services (Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Communication)
• Tourism
• Retail and Gallery
• Collection and Exhibitions
• Media, Production and Major Events

You will have experience in managing diverse business units across multiple operating systems, including governance, financial, data management, point of sale and human resource management – you will also be passionate about creating a team culture of strengthening systems and processes to deliver outcomes, and more importantly, informing Anangu Directors and members of core business activity and achievements through effective operational and financial reporting.

You will be results-oriented, and support Maruku to strengthen its strategic and operating environment, to increase revenue and subsequent opportunity for Anangu economic development, employment and training across the arts and tourism sectors.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring best practice governance through Anangu Board Director and Anangu member engagement
• Ability to develop and implement strategic, business and operational plans, and support an all Anangu Board and Anangu member engagement in the design and delivery of associated organisational outcomes
• Manage organisational governance, ORIC compliance, funded services compliance and operational / business responsibilities
• Strong client relationship and people management skills, with the proven ability to develop trust and credibility
• Stay up to date on all ATO, BAS, Superannuation, ORIC and WHS obligations
• Common office packages with demonstrated proficiency financial, human resource management systems, IT systems, Microsoft office, and other company software packages
• Work closely with team to deliver operational benchmarks and revenue
• Ensuring that all activity levels required to deliver performance indicators are met
• Preparing cash flow reports
• Follow up with client issues as they arise
• Board engagement, compliance and reporting reporting

Previous experience

• Minimum three years experience running a similar sized Aboriginal organisation, including managing and maintaining relationships with Aboriginal Board Directors effectively through ethical governance, business practice and financial management
• Experience in leading, managing and mentoring staff, teams, including an Aboriginal workforce
• Knowledge of the Indigenous art and cultural tourism industry
• Experience in building effective relationships with all internal and external key stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills written and verbal
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic business plans
• Confident negotiation skills
• A sound understanding of current trends and consumer requirements
• Capable of preparing proposals to a professional standard
• Proven ability to analyse processes and ensure continuous improvement
• Systematic approach to business operations and revenue development
• Excellent interpersonal skills and intuition
• Ability to generate ideas for business improvement
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure
• Persistent approach to time management
• High levels of enthusiasm, energy and resourcefulness
• Excellent planning, organisation and computer skills
• High degree of accountability and attention to detail

Qualifications

• Tertiary business management qualifications and related experience
• Strong leadership, decision making and communication skills