Executive Director of Advocacy - PWDA

Lotus Executive Search; Sydney; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National leadership opportunity

Executive development and deputising

High-profile stakeholder engagement

Collaborative governance and culture

Job summary

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) seeks an inspiring executive to lead its national advocacy function and shape its next chapter of impact. Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee an approximately $8m advocacy portfolio spanning individual and systemic advocacy, guiding teams, developing leadership capability and strengthening culture.

You will influence national disability policy, drive operational excellence, deputise for the CEO, and work with PWDA's Executive Leadership Team to advance

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience with building high-performing teams.
• Empathetic yet decisive leadership style with accountability.
• Strong financial and governance acumen for budgets and risk.
• Commitment to disability rights and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead PWDA's national advocacy function and shape policy priorities.
• Oversee an approximately $8m advocacy portfolio and ensure governance.
• Drive organisational culture, capability, and executive leadership development.
• Deputise for the CEO and work with the Board on strategy and growth.
• Strengthen partnerships with government, funders, and sector stakeholders.

Skills

Senior leadership

People leadership

Strategic capability

Stakeholder engagement

Policy influence

Disability rights knowledge

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

• Organisation: People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
• Portfolio: Approximately $8 million
• Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
• Travel: Interstate and international travel as required

ABOUT THE COMPANY

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is a leading national disability rights and advocacy organisation, dedicated to advancing the rights, inclusion and equality of people with disability.

As a cross-disability representative organisation, PWDA champions the voices and lived experience of people with disability, influencing government policy and driving systemic reform. With strong national relationships, a collaborative leadership team and a renewed focus on culture and governance, PWDA is entering an exciting chapter of organisational growth and impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead PWDA's national advocacy function and shape its next chapter of impact.

Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee an $8m portfolio spanning individual and systemic advocacy, bringing teams together, developing leadership capability and strengthening organisational culture.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will influence national disability policy, drive operational excellence and benefit from supported opportunities to develop broader executive capability and deputise for the CEO.

DUTIES

• Lead and unite PWDA's individual and systemic advocacy functions, creating greater collaboration, shared purpose and strategic alignment across national teams.
• Build leadership capability, mentoring senior managers, empowering decision‑making and fostering a culture of accountability, trust and continuous improvement.
• Champion a positive, inclusive culture, balancing empathetic leadership with clear expectations, constructive communication and decisive action.
• Shape team structures and operational performance, identifying opportunities to strengthen capability, improve processes and maximise the effectiveness of advocacy services.
• Oversee an approximately $8m advocacy portfolio, ensuring financial sustainability, effective resource allocation, funding accountability and robust governance.
• Drive meaningful systemic change, connecting individual advocacy experiences, member priorities and evidence‑based policy development to influence national reform.
• Guide strategic policy priorities, contributing to advocacy across the NDIS, Foundational Supports and emerging issues affecting people with disability.
• Strengthen influential partnerships with government, funders, disability representative organisations and sector stakeholders to expand PWDA's reach and impact.
• Represent PWDA nationally, contributing to public advocacy, policy discussions, government engagement and sector leadership.
• Partner with the CEO and Board, supporting organisational strategy, sustainable growth and broader executive leadership development.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

We are seeking an accomplished, values‑driven executive who combines exceptional people leadership with strategic capability and a genuine commitment to advancing disability rights.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to build high‑performing teams, lead organisational change and foster inclusive, collaborative cultures.
• An empathetic yet decisive leadership approach, with the confidence to navigate complexity, empower others and establish clear accountability.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget management, workforce planning, risk, governance and organisational performance.
• A genuine commitment to disability rights, underpinned by a disability‑affirming, human rights‑based approach and meaningful connection to the disability community.
• Strategic judgement and influencing capability, with experience translating complex issues into practical organisational priorities and meaningful outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to establish credibility across government, community and sector environments.
• An understanding of disability policy and advocacy, including the NDIS, systemic reform and the importance of member‑led representation.
• The ability to lead through change, navigating sensitive conversations, competing priorities and complex organisational dynamics with integrity and care.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent executive leadership experience.

Lived experience of disability is strongly valued, as is demonstrated connection to and trust within the disability community.

Experience across disability advocacy, government, representative organisations or the not‑for‑profit sector will be highly regarded. PWDA also welcomes leaders from other sectors who bring relevant transferable experience, strong values alignment and a genuine commitment to its mission.

BENEFITS

• National leadership opportunity with significant scope to influence disability rights, public policy and systemic reform.
• Meaningful executive responsibility, leading an approximately $8m advocacy portfolio and shaping the future of PWDA's national advocacy function.
• Opportunity to drive positive transformation, strengthening team culture, leadership capability and organisational performance.
• Supported executive development, with opportunities to deputise for the CEO and broaden strategic and organisational leadership experience.
• High‑profile stakeholder engagement, building relationships with government, policymakers and influential sector leaders.
• Collaborative, values‑led environment, joining an Executive Leadership Team committed to inclusion, strong governance and sustainable change.
• Purpose and impact, contributing to a nationally recognised organisation championing the rights and leadership of people with disability.