Chief Executive Officer: SDA Alliance

People for Purpose; Sydney; Remote; AUD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The SDA Alliance is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next stage of influence and development. Reporting to the Board, you will shape policy positions, engage with government, the NDIA and sector stakeholders, and drive practical solutions to SDA issues.

You will build a high-performing team, grow membership and sponsorship, and steer strategic priorities in a national, primarily remote environment across Australia.

Qualifications

• Significant policy and government relations experience.
• Understanding of SDA, NDIS, disability housing and policy environment.
• Strong communication and strategic judgement across a diverse membership.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy and influence, shaping credible positions and representing the Alliance with government and stakeholders.
• Grow membership and sponsorship, ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Deliver strategic priorities and lead a small team in a national, remote-friendly environment.

Job description

The organisation

The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Alliance is the national peak body representing organisations and stakeholders across Australia's Specialist Disability Accommodation market.

Its membership brings together SDA providers, investors and other organisations involved across the SDA ecosystem, with a shared commitment to supporting a high-quality, sustainable and ethical market. Through collaboration with members, government, the NDIA and other stakeholders, the Alliance contributes to policy development, promotes best practice and innovation, and supports participant choice, control and better housing outcomes for people with disability.

With an engaged Board, active membership and established relationships across government and industry, the Alliance is entering an important next stage. Its work is supported by specialist committees and reference groups that bring together deep sector, provider, investment and participant expertise to inform its priorities and advocacy.

The role

Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will lead the SDA Alliance through its next stage of influence and development. Working closely with the Chair and Board, the CEO will draw on the expertise of members, committees and reference groups to advance the Alliance's priorities.

The role will focus on:

• Policy and influence: shaping credible positions, representing the Alliance with government, the NDIA and other stakeholders, and progressing practical solutions to key SDA issues.
• Members and sustainability: strengthening member and sponsor engagement, supporting membership growth and value, and contributing to the Alliance's long-term sustainability.
• Strategy and leadership: delivering strategic priorities, contributing to future direction and leading a small team in a hands-on, highly connected national environment.

About you

You will bring significant policy and government relations experience, together with a well-developed understanding of SDA and the broader NDIS, disability housing and policy environment.

A clear and credible communicator, you will bring the judgement to navigate complex issues, distil diverse perspectives and represent the Alliance effectively with government, members, sector stakeholders and the media. You will build alignment around practical solutions and maintain momentum towards agreed outcomes.

Strategic judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to work effectively across a diverse membership will be important, together with the versatility to operate both strategically and hands-on in a small organisation. Experience within or alongside a membership organisation, peak body, government, housing or disability environment will be valuable.

A commitment to listening to and incorporating the perspectives of people with disability in the Alliance's policy, advocacy and priorities will be important. Personal lived experience of disability is valued.

For the right leader, this is an opportunity to influence the future development of SDA nationally and contribute to better housing outcomes for people with disability.

Location and working arrangements

The role operates predominantly remotely. Sydney or Melbourne is preferred, with flexibility for the right East Coast-based candidate. Access to office space can also be arranged where useful. The Board's preference is for a full-time appointment, with some flexibility in working arrangements considered.