Chief Executive Officer

NORTHERN ADELAIDE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY; Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading waste management organization in Australia is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to guide the company through its next phase of growth and transformation. The role demands extensive experience in complex service delivery, particularly within waste management or related fields. The CEO will be responsible for setting strategic direction, leading operations, and fostering innovation in resource recovery. Applicants should hold relevant degrees and demonstrate strong stakeholder influence and governance capability. This engaging role requires excellent leadership in a dynamic regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• Accomplished executive with a proven track record in waste management, resource recovery, or local government.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic clarity are essential.
• Postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Set and champion NAWMA’s strategic direction.
• Lead a high‑performing workforce and culture.
• Oversee operations, assets, major projects and partnerships.
• Drive innovation in recycling, energy recovery, and circular economy.
• Build relationships with councils, regulators, and community stakeholders.
• Provide public leadership in a changing regulatory environment.

Skills

Complex service delivery

Stakeholder influence

Exemplary communication

Governance capability

Communication skills

Education

Qualifications in engineering, environmental science, business, or related discipline

Environmental science

Business

Commerce

Job description

About NAWMA

National Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA) is recognised as one of Australia’s most progressive waste management and resource recovery authorities. NAWMA provides best‑practice waste management and resource recovery services to a range of clients including businesses, industry and regional SA councils, with its predominant services serving the City of Salisbury, City of Playford and Town of Gawler. Owned by local government but operated as a business, NAWMA offers a unique blend of operational, governance, financial and technological challenges.

Role Overview

The NAWMA Board seeks an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to shape the next decade of waste, energy and resource recovery solutions for Northern Adelaide. This rare opportunity allows you to steer a sophisticated organisation through growth, transformation and major strategic decision‑making, including evaluating long‑term landfill alternatives and developing next‑generation recovery and resource‑optimisation systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and champion NAWMA’s strategic direction.
• Lead a high‑performing, values‑driven workforce and culture.
• Oversee complex operations, assets, major projects and commercial partnerships.
• Drive innovation across recycling, organics, energy recovery, residual waste and circular‑economy initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with councils, regulators, industry partners and the community.
• Provide confident public leadership in a changing regulatory and environmental landscape.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

You are an accomplished executive with a track record in complex service delivery, ideally within waste management, resource recovery, infrastructure, water utilities, environmental services or local government. Production, utility or contracting/consulting experience is also suitable if you can adapt to the solid waste management industry. Commercial acumen, strategic clarity, strong stakeholder influence, exemplary communication and governance capability are essential. Qualifications in engineering, environmental science, business, commerce or a related discipline are essential; postgraduate qualifications will be highly regarded.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Executive
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Management, Strategy/Planning, and Project Management
• Industries: Environmental Services, Wholesale Recyclable Materials, and Air, Water, and Waste Program Management

Application Process

For details of the Position Description please visit www.vuca.com.au/nawma or contact VUCA Director Mr Paul Bell on 0412 552 302 for a confidential discussion during business hours.

Please forward your letter of application and CV in MS Word format to [e-mail] by COB 2nd January 2026.