Chief Executive Officer (Identified)

Ninti One Ltd; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Ninti One Ltd is seeking an experienced First Nations executive to lead a transformative Indigenous organisation. The role requires combining cultural authority with strong governance, commercial judgement and the ability to build relationships that create opportunities for Ninti and the communities we serve.

You will report to the Board Chair, guide strategic priorities, and lead a diverse portfolio of projects and services. A track record in executive leadership and partnerships is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience as an executive leader in a First Nations organisation.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting.
• Experience working with a Board and governance.
• Proven ability to lead across multiple entities and complex structures.
• Track record of building strategic relationships with government, community and business.
• Cross-cultural capability and inclusive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and cultural leadership across the organisation.
• Oversee business development and sustainability initiatives.
• Direct financial and operational management.
• Ensure governance, accountability and risk management.
• Build and represent relationships with partners, communities and stakeholders.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial acumen

Governance

Stakeholder relationships

Strategic thinking

Cross-cultural capability

People leadership

Job description

This position is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants - see candidate brochure for more information

This is an incredible and rare opportunity to lead an Indigenous organisation committed to building opportunities with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This is a role for a leader who can bring cultural authority and community credibility together with strong commercial judgement, governance and the ability to build relationships that create opportunities for Ninti and the communities we work alongside.

About Ninti:

Ninti One is an Indigenous, Supply Nation registered, not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is to build opportunities with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through research, innovation and community engagement. We are very proud of our connection to and respect for traditional culture. Our name ‘Ninti’ means ‘clever’ in Pitjantjatjara, which reflects our desire to be a capacity builder and knowledge broker.

We deliver a range of professional services that work collaboratively with communities and clients to achieve positive social and economic development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Ninti draws on its long history of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and has developed the capacity to translate learning from this experience to a range of development contexts, including internationally.

About the role

Reporting to the Chair of the Ninti One Board, you will provide strategic, cultural and operational leadership across the organisation, working closely with the executive leadership team and staff to deliver Ninti's vision and strategic priorities.

You will lead an established organisation with a diverse portfolio of projects and services, building on Ninti's strengths while identifying new opportunities for growth, collaboration and long‑term impact.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Strategic and cultural leadership
• Business development and sustainability
• Financial and operational management
• Governance and accountability
• Relationships and representation

About you

You are an experienced First Nations executive who understands the responsibilities that comes with leading a First Nations organisation. You can work confidently at a strategic level while remaining connected to the people, relationships and operational realities that underpin the organisation's work.

You bring the ability to lead with cultural integrity, build trust across diverse stakeholder groups, make sound commercial decisions and turn strategic priorities into practical outcomes.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated success in an executive leadership role within a First Nations organisation.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience in budgeting, business development, resource allocation and organisational sustainability.
• Experience working with a Board and contributing to organisational strategy, governance, risk management and accountability.
• Demonstrated capability managing operations across multiple entities, business units or complex organisational structures.
• A track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships across government, community, business and other sectors.
• Experience leading teams, supporting organisational capability and establishing a positive, accountable and values‑led workplace culture.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural capability, including adapting your approach to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Interested in leading Ninti One?

If you are an experienced First Nations executive who is ready to lead an organisation with a strong history, meaningful community relationships and an important role in building opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we encourage you to apply.