The organisation

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) operates as a network of settlement service providers, bringing organisations together at a national level to create a cohesive voice for strategic planning and collaboration. As the peak body for settlement services, SCOA represents a community of members dedicated to supporting newly arrived migrants and refugees in making Australia home.
SCOA facilitates understanding by bringing together the collective experiences of its members, helps the sector grow through capacity-building programs, and serves as the voice of the sector by advocating for policy changes that impact settlement services. SCOA’s members include agencies of all sizes, providing essential services, from greeting new arrivals at the airport to assisting with housing, employment, and access to vital services.

The position

An opportunity has become available for an experienced leader to drive the strategic direction of SCOA. Reporting to the Board, the CEO is responsible for managing the organisation’s operations, overseeing policy and advocacy initiatives, strengthening sector collaboration, and ensuring financial sustainability. The role also involves representing SCOA to government, peak bodies, and key stakeholders to influence policy and drive sector-wide improvements.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as public policy, social sciences, law, or management, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of the settlement, migration, multicultural, or human rights sector, with experience navigating government and non-government systems.
• Demonstrated experience in senior leadership roles, with a track record of building high-performing teams, fostering a positive organisational culture, and driving growth and impact.
• Experience in developing evidence-based policy positions and leading advocacy efforts with government, industry, and key decision-makers.
• Highly developed diplomacy, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholder perspectives and drive meaningful collaboration.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage sensitively and effectively with culturally, linguistically, racially and religiously diverse communities.

To apply, please submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and your resume.

Meritos is partnering with SCOA on this recruitment opportunity.

To arrange a confidential conversation regarding your suitability, please contact Chris Morrison on 02 8000 7121 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Chief Executive Officer - Settlement Council of Australia enquiry via EthicalJobs.