ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION

Native Foodways exists to work towards a future of native food systems that is culturally-led, environmentally regenerative and economically beneficial to First Peoples. We are a First Nations-owned and led social enterprise, structured as a Company Limited by Shares where 80% of ownership is always held by First Nations people.

We are a profit for purpose organisation where community benefit always outweighs private benefit (to date, we have invested all our resources into creating community outcomes). In our first few years, we’ve experimented with projects across the native food supply chain —launching and collaborating on a native food shop, a bakery, a plant nursery, and farms while partnering with First Nations farmers, foodmakers, and landholders. We aren't just creating enterprises and selling products; we are advocating for Indigenous food sovereignty and shifting the narrative around Indigenous knowledges, native foods, and Country.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We need a leader, collaborator and steward.

As our Organisational Leader, your "why" is to lead the implementation of a Strategic Plan that aims for systemic change. You will be a collaborator weaving together perspectives and aspirations of between our board, partners, and First Nations communities, ensuring our growth and the growth of the native food system is always grounded in right relations.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading the Narrative: You’ll shift how the world sees native foods, moving the industry toward First Nations leadership.
• Cultivating Resources: You’ll develop the revenue streams and partnerships that will sustain our movement for the next 3-5 years.
• Stewardship: You’ll guide our "Organisational Circles," fostering a collaborative workplace where people step forward and back based on their unique expertise and culture.
• Systemic Collaboration: You’ll lead our engagement with the wider native food system, ensuring Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Data Sovereignty protocols are always at the heart of what we do.

ABOUT YOU

This is an identified position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are looking for a relational leader—someone who understands that how we work is just as important as what we achieve. You might be the right fit if:

• You are a Holistic Thinker: You have a proven ability to collaborate across complex, "entangled" systems and communities.
• You Lead Relationally: You have a track record of organisational leadership characterised by collaboration rather than top-down control.
• You are an Advocate: You’re comfortable influencing policy and resource allocation at the highest levels of government and corporate Australia.
• You are Commercially Smart: You have experience in social enterprise or business development, knowing how to generate income that fuels self-determination.
• You Know the System: You have a deep understanding of the native food system or similar First Nations systems.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

We offer more than just a salary; we offer a reciprocal relationship built on flexibility and purpose:

• Reciprocity: $165,000 + Super (Negotiable based on experience).
• Work from anywhere or in our Sydney office in the CBD: This is a remote role, though you'd be welcome to work form our office in Sydney and we'd love for you to be able to yarn in person with the board and partners in Sydney and Brisbane occasionally.
• True Flexibility: We are open to full-time or part-time arrangements for the right candidate.
• Shared Benefits: Potential for bonuses based on revenue generation that supports our purpose.
• Cultural Safety: A workplace that centres First Nations ways of knowing, doing, and being.

next steps

To submit your application please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

A position description is attached.

A Note on Privacy & Culture: We respect your stories and your knowledge. All information shared with us will be treated with the highest regard for Indigenous Data Sovereignty. If you have any questions or would like to have an initial, informal yarn before applying, please contact Miki Kovari at [email protected] using the subject line: Organisational Leader / CEO (Identified) - Remote / Work From Home enquiry via EthicalJobs and 0402 313 169.