Executive Director - Corporate Services

GWG Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Executive remuneration package

Job summary

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle invites an experienced executive to lead Corporate Services from its Newcastle base. This role provides strategic direction across a broad portfolio, driving transformation, efficiency and service excellence to support education, welfare and community programs across the Hunter region.

You will shape enterprise-wide strategy, foster a customer-focused shared services model, and partner with senior leaders to enhance performance and stewardship of

Qualifications

• Significant executive leadership experience with accountability for a broad portfolio of corporate or business services functions.
• Proven track record in shaping strategy, leading transformation and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Strong commercial capability to drive performance and resource stewardship.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and ability to advise executives and boards.
• Postgraduate qualifications in business, management or governance are highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversight across enterprise functions.
• Lead organisational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop a shared services model that delivers measurable value.
• Strengthen commercial performance and resilience.
• Build high-performing leadership teams and foster accountability.
• Partner with executive leaders to align services with organisational priorities.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategy development

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Leadership development

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in business/management/governance

Tertiary qualifications

Job description

Executive Director – Corporate Services

Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle | Newcastle, NSW

• Shape the future of corporate services across the Hunter region's most significant faith-based organisation.
• Lead enterprise-wide transformation, commercial performance and service excellence.
• Executive remuneration package & relocation assistance | Newcastle-based leadership opportunity.

Lead with Purpose

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a significant and diverse organisation, supporting communities across Newcastle, the Hunter and Manning regions. With approximately 5,500 employees operating across more than 100 locations, its ministries and agencies deliver essential education, early childhood, social welfare, pastoral and community services.
Guided by its mission to serve others so they may experience life to the fullest, the Diocese is entering an important period of organisational transformation.
GWG Recruitment is proud to partner with the Diocese in the appointment of an exceptional Executive Director Corporate Services to help shape its future.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and operating as a key member of the executive leadership team, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of a diverse portfolio of corporate services functions.
This is a significant executive appointment with the opportunity to shape organisational strategy, strengthen enterprise capability and lead meaningful transformation across a large and complex organisation.
You will play a critical role in building a contemporary, commercially focused and highly effective corporate services function that enables the Diocese's agencies and ministries to deliver on their strategic priorities.

Your priorities will include:

• Providing strategic direction and executive oversight across a range of critical enterprise functions.
• Leading enterprise-wide transformation, innovation and continuous improvement to enhance organisational effectiveness.
• Driving the evolution of a contemporary, customer-focused shared services model that delivers measurable value.
• Strengthening commercial performance, organisational resilience and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Building and empowering high-performing leadership teams, fostering accountability, collaboration and service excellence.
• Partnering with executive leaders and key stakeholders to align corporate services with broader organisational priorities.

About You

You are an accomplished and commercially astute executive with extensive experience leading diverse business functions within a large, complex organisation. You bring the strategic capability, sound judgement and leadership presence to influence at the highest levels and deliver sustainable organisational outcomes.

You will demonstrate:

• Significant executive leadership experience with accountability for a broad portfolio of corporate or business services functions.
• A proven track record of shaping and executing strategy, leading complex transformation and delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Strong commercial capability, with the ability to drive organisational performance, manage competing priorities and navigate complexity.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the credibility to advise executive leadership and work effectively with boards.
• The ability to develop capable leadership teams, build organisational alignment and embed a culture of accountability and high performance.
• An authentic, collaborative and values-led leadership style, with an appreciation for the purpose and responsibilities of a faith-based organisation.

Relevant tertiary qualifications are essential, with postgraduate qualifications in business, management or governance highly regarded.

Why join the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle?

This is an opportunity to bring your professional expertise and personal values together in a role where your leadership will have an enduring impact. You will contribute to an organisation whose work reaches thousands of individuals and families, supporting education, care, wellbeing and community connection throughout the region.
For an executive motivated by both professional challenge and a deeper sense of purpose, this is an opportunity to lead meaningful change while contributing to a mission that extends well beyond the organisation itself.

About Newcastle

Offering an enviable coastal lifestyle without compromising on career opportunities, Newcastle combines stunning beaches, a vibrant café and dining scene, and a welcoming community with access to world-class education and healthcare. With the renowned Hunter Valley wine region and beautiful Port Stephens on its doorstep, Newcastle offers the perfect balance of lifestyle, opportunity and connection. Add a thriving arts and cultural scene, excellent sporting facilities and easy access to Sydney, and it's easy to see why so many professionals and families are choosing to call Newcastle home.

Confidential enquiries

GWG Recruitment is managing this executive appointment on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to building inclusive and respectful workplaces, strengthened by diversity and encourage applications from First Nations Peoples, all genders, those from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ community and people with disability, of all ages and backgrounds. We strive to provide a barrier free and equitable recruitment experience. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please contact your consultant via the phone number or email above.