Chief Executive Officer

Gudjala People Limited; Charters Towers Regional; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Gudjala People Limited (GPL) is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead governance, strategy and program delivery for the Gudjala community. The CEO will align GPL with NAC Boards, drive growth through funding and commercial ventures, and ensure ILUA compliance and statutory duties.

The role requires senior leadership with substantial management experience, financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and cultural competency with Aboriginal and First Nations communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Management or a related field (Master's/MBA preferred), or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Minimum 10 years' management experience with a proven record leading teams and delivering organisational outcomes
• Strong financial acumen and budget management expertise
• Excellent stakeholder, partnership and communication skills
• Sound governance, compliance and risk management capability
• Genuine cultural competency in working with Aboriginal and First Nations people and communities

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction across the organisation
• Act as key liaison between the GPL and NAC Boards
• Manage governance, financial management, risk and asset management
• Manage stakeholder engagement and program delivery
• Ensure compliance with Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and other statutory requirements
• Lead a small team
• Represent GPL to members, community, government and media
• Drive the organisation's growth through funding and commercial ventures

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Governance

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Risk management

Cultural competency

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Management or a related field

Master's/MBA preferred

Job description

Employed by GPL and directly accountable to the GPL Board, the CEO provides visionary leadership and strategic direction across the organisation, and acts as the key liaison between the GPL and NAC Boards. The role carries full responsibility for governance, financial management, risk and asset management, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery — including compliance with Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and other statutory requirements. You'll lead a small team, represent GPL to members, community, government and media, and drive the organisation's growth through funding and commercial ventures established for the benefit of Native Title Holders.

Key responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction across the organisation
• Act as key liaison between the GPL and NAC Boards
• Manage governance, financial management, risk and asset management
• Manage stakeholder engagement and program delivery
• Ensure compliance with Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and other statutory requirements
• Lead a small team
• Represent GPL to members, community, government and media
• Drive the organisation's growth through funding and commercial ventures

About you

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Management or a related field (Master's/MBA preferred), or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Minimum 10 years' management experience with a proven record leading teams and delivering organisational outcomes
• Strong financial acumen and budget management expertise
• Excellent stakeholder, partnership and communication skills
• Sound governance, compliance and risk management capability
• Genuine cultural competency in working with Aboriginal and First Nations people and communities

About us

Gudjala People Limited (GPL) is the corporate arm of the Ngrragoonda Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (NAC), the Registered Native Title Body Corporate for the Gudjala People. The Gudjala People are the recognised traditional owners of approximately 30,000 square kilometres of land across the Etheridge, Flinders and Charters Towers Regional Shire Councils. GPL exists to relieve the disadvantage suffered by Aboriginal Persons, especially the Gudjala People, by advancing their economic and social wellbeing, health and education, and by protecting, preserving and advancing their traditional laws, languages, special knowledge, culture and customs. GPL is engaged by NAC, under a service agreement between the two entities, to deliver programs and services on behalf of the Gudjala People.

Applications Close: COB 28th September 2026

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) — Gudjala People Limited (GPL)

Applicants should address each of the following criteria in their application, using specific examples from their work history wherever possible. Responses of around 150–250 words per criterion are generally sufficient.

1. Governance & Strategic Leadership

Demonstrated senior leadership experience providing strategic direction to an organisation, including working effectively with, and reporting to, a Board of Directors.

2. Aboriginal Corporate & Native Title Environment

Sound understanding of, or demonstrated experience working within, Aboriginal corporate governance, native title structures (RNTBCs) or comparable community-controlled organisations, including Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs).

Demonstrated experience in budget development, financial oversight and management of funding agreements or grant/deed-funded programs, including reporting to government or institutional funders.

Proven ability to oversee day-to-day operations across multiple functions, with sound judgement in compliance, quality assurance and risk management.

5. Stakeholder & Government Relations

Highly developed relationship-building skills with a track record of engaging effectively with government, community members, partner organisations and regulatory bodies.

Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring and developing staff, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

7. Communication & Public Representation

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience representing an organisation to the public and media.

8. Cultural Competency

Genuine cultural competency and demonstrated respect in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and cultural protocols.

9. Business & Revenue Development

Experience identifying and developing commercial or funding opportunities that generate sustainable revenue or benefit for a community or membership base.

10. Qualifications & Experience

A relevant tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Management or a related field (or equivalent demonstrated experience), together with a minimum of 10 years' management experience.