Chief Executive Officer

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation; Derby; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead through a period of transition, growth and opportunity in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Reporting to the Board, you will provide strategic and culturally informed leadership across a broad portfolio of native title, land and sea management, tourism and community initiatives.

You will be expected to strengthen governance, build high-performing teams and foster sustainable economic development while

Qualifications

• Proven CEO, senior executive or entrepreneurial leadership experience.
• Strong governance experience working closely with Boards.
• Commercial, financial and strategic planning capability.
• The ability to implement strategy and deliver measurable organisational outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience building organisational capability, developing leaders and creating high-performing teams.
• Sound judgement, emotional intelligence and resilience.
• A collaborative leadership style supported by integrity, authenticity and respect.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership and advice to the Board of Directors.
• Delivering the Dambimangari 2040 Plan and organisational priorities.
• Strengthening governance, accountability and organisational performance.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with Traditional Owners, members and key stakeholders.
• Supporting sustainable economic development and future revenue opportunities.
• Leading and developing a capable, high-performing team.
• Ensuring the organisation continues to operate with cultural integrity, financial sustainability and operational excellence.

Skills

CEO leadership

Governance

Commercial planning

Strategy implementation

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership development

Emotional intelligence

Collaborative leadership

Job description

WCA Talent is proud to partner with Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation in the search for its next Chief Executive Officer.

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through an important period of transition, growth and opportunity.

Representing the Traditional Owners of Dambimangari Country in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, DAC plays a vital role in protecting culture, caring for Country and creating opportunities that support future generations. Guided by the Dambimangari 2040 Plan, the organisation works across native title, land and sea management, tourism, economic development, cultural heritage and community initiatives.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide strategic, operational and culturally informed leadership across the organisation. Working closely with the Board, Traditional Owners, members, government agencies, industry partners and stakeholders, you will help deliver the Corporation's long-term vision while ensuring strong governance, financial sustainability and organisational performance.

This is a unique opportunity to lead an organisation with a strong cultural foundation and a clear vision for the future. You will play a central role in strengthening organisational capability, progressing sustainable economic opportunities and ensuring DAC continues to deliver meaningful outcomes for Dambimangari people and Country.

The Role

The Chief Executive Officer will work in partnership with the Board to implement the strategic priorities of the organisation while providing leadership across a broad and diverse portfolio of activities.

• Providing strategic leadership and advice to the Board of Directors.
• Delivering the Dambimangari 2040 Plan and organisational priorities.
• Strengthening governance, accountability and organisational performance.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with Traditional Owners, members and key stakeholders.
• Supporting sustainable economic development and future revenue opportunities.
• Leading and developing a capable, high-performing team.
• Ensuring the organisation continues to operate with cultural integrity, financial sustainability and operational excellence.

The role will see you engaging across office, community and on-country environments, requiring a leader who is visible, collaborative and comfortable working within a complex stakeholder landscape.

Why This Role Matters

This is far more than a traditional executive leadership appointment.

You will have the opportunity to help shape the future direction of Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation at a time when strong leadership, strategic thinking and long-term vision are critically important. Working alongside the Board, Traditional Owners and community members, you will contribute to decisions that influence cultural, social, environmental and economic outcomes for generations to come.

The successful CEO will help strengthen organisational capability, support sound governance and create opportunities that deliver lasting benefits to Dambimangari people while ensuring cultural values remain at the centre of decision-making.

For an accomplished executive seeking purpose, challenge and genuine impact, opportunities such as this are rare.

The Opportunity

The Board is seeking a commercially astute and culturally aware executive who combines strategic foresight, humility and resilience.

You may already be a CEO, senior executive or entrepreneurial leader who has successfully led organisations through periods of growth, change, transformation or renewal. You will be comfortable working closely with a Board, building trusted stakeholder relationships and translating strategic objectives into practical outcomes.

• Proven CEO, senior executive or entrepreneurial leadership experience.
• Strong governance experience working closely with Boards.
• Commercial, financial and strategic planning capability.
• The ability to implement strategy and deliver measurable organisational outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience building organisational capability, developing leaders and creating high-performing teams.
• Sound judgement, emotional intelligence and resilience.
• A collaborative leadership style supported by integrity, authenticity and respect.

Highly Regarded Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be highly regarded:

• Aboriginal Corporations and Indigenous organisations.
• Native title operations and Indigenous governance environments.
• CATSI Act governance frameworks.
• Land and sea management.
• Tourism, economic development or enterprise development.
• Community-led or member-based organisations.

About the Dambeemangaddee people

We are the Traditional Owners of the land and waters along the north-west Kimberley coastline, extending from the Robinson River, just north of Derby to the Prince Regent River in the far north of the Kimberley region in WA. It has been our home for many thousands of years.

We carry the cultural responsibilities of our ancestors to look after Country. Our Country is of great conservation significance, home to many threatened and endemic species, mighty rivers, coral reefs, powerful whirlpools, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and more than 700 islands. Dambeemangaddee are part of the Wandjina Woongudd community.

We all share a unique body of beliefs and cultural practices we maintain strong connections to our land through our Law, Culture, songs and stories. We visit our Country when we can and have set up homeland communities on our remote coastline. We want to return to Country, live on our homelands, regain control, and teach future generations.

About the Corporation

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) is a small, community-driven organisation based in one of the most remote and spectacular regions of the Kimberley. We represent and work for the Dambimangari Traditional Owners, guided by Law and Culture. With a team of over 50, most of whom are Traditional Owners, DAC delivers a wide range of programs and services that support our people, protect Country, and strengthen culture. Our key functions include:

• Managing Native Titles and stakeholder engagement (mining, tourism, development)
• Members Services in health, education and wellbeing
• Land and sea management, including ranger programs and marine parks
• Cultural heritage and Visitor management.
• Economic development and Remote infrastructure
• Corporate Services (finance, admin, payroll)