Chief Executive Officer

peoplefusion; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Headstart ABI Services in Newcastle, NSW, seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next chapter. You will work with an experienced leadership team to sustain high-quality services for people with ABI and navigate the evolving NDIS environment.

We are looking for a senior leader who can combine strategic insight with sound financial judgement, foster a culture of engagement, and build strong relationships with families, funders and the Board to expand impact and

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in health or disability sectors.
• Strong understanding of NDIS and complex service environments.
• Proven ability to drive sustainable growth and performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction and translate priorities into plans.
• Maintain high-quality specialist services and outcomes for ABI.
• Oversee financial performance and commercial decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for service development and partnerships.
• Develop the Senior Leadership Team through coaching and accountability.
• Foster open communication and engagement across the organisation.
• Partner with the Board on governance and reporting.
• Ensure risk management, accreditation and continuous quality improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

NDIS knowledge

Financial acumen

Governance & reporting

Stakeholder management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in health/management

Job description

• Lead a highly regarded local organisation supporting people with acquired brain injury.
• Shape Headstart’s future direction and long-term sustainability in an evolving NDIS environment.
• Bring warm, considered leadership to an experienced and deeply committed team.

• Lead a highly regarded local organisation supporting people with acquired brain injury.
• Shape Headstart’s future direction and long-term sustainability in an evolving NDIS environment.
• Bring warm, considered leadership to an experienced and deeply committed team.

About Headstart ABI Services

Established in 1987, Headstart ABI Services is a specialist provider supporting people with acquired brain injury (ABI) across the Hunter, Port Stephens and Central Coast.

For almost 40 years, Headstart has developed deep expertise in brain injury and an understanding of the unique and often complex ways it can impact a person’s life. This specialist knowledge is at the heart of Headstart and is what sets the organisation apart.

Headstart provides individually tailored, long-term support focused on helping people build independence, make choices and participate meaningfully in their communities. Its approach is strengths-based and centred on the individual, recognising the person beyond their brain injury and supporting them to pursue the life and opportunities that matter to them.

Headstart is proudly people-focused, with a supportive and down-to-earth culture. Its experienced team shares a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with ABI and the families and communities around them.

The Opportunity

The Chief Executive Officer will lead Headstart into its next chapter, working closely with an experienced leadership team and committed workforce. Combining strong people leadership with commercial judgement, the CEO will build on Headstart’s strong foundations, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high-quality services while navigating the evolving NDIS environment and identifying opportunities to strengthen its impact and long-term sustainability.

• Lead Headstart’s strategic direction and translate priorities into organisational plans.
• Maintain high-quality specialist services and outcomes for people with ABI.
• Provide strong financial oversight and support sound commercial decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for service development, partnerships and diversification that align with Headstart’s purpose and expertise.
• Lead and develop the Senior Leadership Team through coaching, trust and accountability.
• Foster open communication and engagement across the organisation.
• Partner effectively with the Board across governance, reporting and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure strong compliance, risk management, accreditation and continuous quality improvement.
• Build on Headstart’s strong relationships with consumers, families, government, funders and sector partners to support its ongoing impact and future direction.
• Represent Headstart and continue to build its profile and impact across the community.

About You

You will be an experienced senior leader who brings a genuine connection to Headstart’s purpose and an understanding of the environment in which it operates. You may already be a CEO or be a senior executive ready to take that next step.

Warm, approachable and grounded, you listen well, communicate openly and build trust with people at all levels. You will value the knowledge and experience already within Headstart, while bringing clear thinking, sound judgement and the confidence to lead the organisation into its next chapter.

• A collaborative and authentic leadership style, with the ability to build trust, empower leaders and create a culture of engagement, accountability and high performance.
• Strong NDIS knowledge and relevant experience within disability, health or complex service environments, with professional experience in the acquired brain injury (ABI) sector highly regarded.
• Experience identifying and developing opportunities for sustainable growth, service diversification and new revenue or funding streams.
• Strong strategic, financial and commercial acumen, with experience driving organisational performance, managing financial sustainability and making sound investment and business decisions.
• Proven experience leading senior and multidisciplinary teams, building leadership capability and enabling others to perform at their best.
• Strong Board and governance experience, with the ability to build trusted relationships, provide clear and transparent reporting, and engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in health, welfare, business, management or a related discipline are required.

Applications will close end of day, Thursday 5th November.

At peoplefusion we don't just accept diversity and inclusion - we celebrate it! We strive to create an environment of equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, religion or physical ability, and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us.