Chief Executive Officer (Part Time)

Djigardaba Enterprise Aboriginal Corporation; Katherine, Jabiru; Hybrid; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice

Travel benefits

Job summary

Djigardaba Enterprise Aboriginal Corporation (DEAC) in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, seeks an experienced CEO to lead during its establishment and growth. The role is part-time (20 hours/week) with a pro-rata base salary and superannuation support, aimed at building an enduring, community-led organisation.

This is a meaningful opportunity for a mature executive to develop governance, funding, and partnerships, while mentoring emerging Aboriginal leaders and shaping long-term

Responsibilities

• Establish the organisation's strategic and operational foundations.
• Develop sustainable funding, partnerships and growth opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with government, industry and community stakeholders.
• Establish governance, financial and organisational systems.
• Grow the organisation's profile, capability and sustainability.
• Develop and mentor emerging Aboriginal leaders.
• Establish long-term succession and leadership pathways.

Job description

$150,000/yr (pro-rata) salary package benefits

Use your experience to build something that matters.

Djigardaba Enterprise Aboriginal Corporation in Kakadu National Park is seeking an experienced and purpose-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its establishment and growth phase.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished, mature executive or manager who is looking for a meaningful next chapter — using their experience, networks and leadership capability help build an organisation for the long term.

The organisation

Djigardaba Enterprise Aboriginal Corporation (DEAC) is a 100% Indigenous owned, not for profit organisation, registered charity and public benevolent organisation based at Cooinda in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.

DEAC represents the Murumburr clan members who are the Traditional owners of the country on which the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge Resort and Yellow Water Boat Cruise is located.

In 2024, with the support of the Northern Territory Government and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), DEAC acquired a 48% share of the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge and Yellow Water Boat Cruise business. DEAC members are now well on their way to achieving their vision of owning and operating the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge Resort that is located on their country.

The opportunity

The Corporation is currently in its establishment phase and has limited start-up funding. The CEO will initially work 20 hours per week, with the opportunity to develop the role into a full-time position as the organisation develops.

Working closely with the Board Directors and members, the CEO will:

Establish the organisation's strategic and operational foundations.

Develop sustainable funding, partnerships and growth opportunities.

Build strong relationships with government, industry and community stakeholders.

Establish effective governance, financial and organisational systems.

Grow the organisation's profile, capability and sustainability.

Develop and mentor emerging Aboriginal leaders.

Establish long-term succession and leadership pathways within the organisation.

A role about legacy

This is not a conventional CEO appointment.

It will suit an experienced CEO, executive, senior government leader, business leader, manager or consultant who may be looking for:

hands‑on, meaningful work without returning to a demanding full‑time executive role;

an opportunity to give back and contribute to Aboriginal community development;

the opportunity to build an organisation rather than simply manage an established one;

a role focused on mentoring and developing the next generation of Aboriginal leaders; and

the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through the people and organisation they help develop.

A key measure of success will be building the capability of Murumburr clan members to ultimately take on leadership roles within the organisation.

About you

You will bring:

Significant senior management or CEO‑level experience.

Strong strategic, commercial and financial capability.

Board governance and organisational leadership experience.

Excellent stakeholder, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.

A genuine commitment to mentoring and developing people.

An interest in Aboriginal culture and community development.

The maturity, patience and humility to lead through relationships rather than hierarchy.

Experience working remotely with Aboriginal organisations, government, community organisations, traditional owners or tourism and hospitality in the Northern Territory will be highly regarded.

Use what you have learned throughout your career to help build an organisation that can ultimately be led by the people it exists to serve.

Please note:

The CEO position is part-time (20 hours/week) on an initial 12-month contract. Salary is pro‑rata based on an annual full‑time salary package of $150,000 base salary (subject to experience & qualifications) plus 12% superannuation, salary sacrifice and travel benefits.

The successful applicant must be willing to live in Darwin, Kakadu or west Arnhem in the Northern Territory, have the capacity to work from home and be able to travel to Cooinda Lodge Resort in Kakadu National Park on a minimum fortnightly basis.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.