Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer

Watermark Search International; Sydney; On-site; AUD 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Watermark Search International in Sydney, NSW, seeks an exceptional leader to become the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer. The role combines CEO responsibilities with statutory, independent oversight, reporting to the Chair and Board.

The successful candidate will lead ~100 staff, uphold independence, guide culture and performance, and advocate for fair consumer outcomes as EWON engages with government, regulators and industry on energy and water policy.

Qualifications

• Senior executive leadership experience in a complex, highly regulated environment.
• Judgement, integrity and independence to lead a public-facing ombudsman role.
• Ability to influence across government, industry, regulators and consumers.
• Strong governance, risk management and organisational leadership capability.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across culture, performance, governance and capability.
• Lead an independent ombudsman function with accountability to the Board.
• Engage with government, regulators, industry and consumer organisations to shape policy.
• Identify systemic issues and advocate for consumer outcomes and public trust.

Job description

Watermark Search International – Sydney NSW

Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW

Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer

• Shape consumer outcomes, industry practice and public policy at a time of significant change in the energy and water sectors.

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is the NSW Government-approved industry Ombudsman scheme for energy and water customers. EWON provides independent, free and impartial dispute resolution services to consumers and small businesses while playing a critical role in identifying systemic issues, driving industry improvement and informing regulatory and policy reform.

EWON is entering an important new phase of its evolution. Following a period of successful leadership and organisational achievement, the organisation is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as its next Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer.

This is a distinctive appointment that combines the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer with the statutory, independent and public trust responsibilities of the Ombudsman. Reporting to the Chair and Board, the successful candidate will lead a highly regarded organisation, uphold the integrity and independence of the Ombudsman function, and position EWON to respond to the changing needs of consumers, members, regulators and government.

Leading an organisation of approximately 100 employees, the Ombudsman will work alongside an experienced executive leadership team and provide strategic leadership across culture, performance, governance and organisational capability. At the same time, the role carries a significant external mandate, with responsibility for stakeholder engagement, public advocacy, systemic issue identification and constructive influence across government, regulators, industry and consumer organisations.

As the energy and water sectors continue to evolve, EWON is increasingly contributing to major public policy discussions relating to affordability, consumer protections, the energy transition, renewable energy infrastructure and emerging Consumer Energy Resources. The next Ombudsman will play an important role in helping shape these conversations while ensuring EWON remains an independent, trusted and influential voice across the sector.

We are seeking an accomplished executive who can demonstrate:

• Successful senior executive leadership experience in a complex, highly regulated, public interest or stakeholder-intensive environment.
• The judgement, integrity and independence required to lead an Ombudsman, regulatory, dispute resolution or comparable public-facing organisation.
• The ability to influence and build credibility across government, industry, regulators, community organisations and consumers.
• A strong track record of organisational leadership, culture development and leading through change.
• Experience operating effectively within a Board-governed environment.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and public representation skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to fairness, procedural integrity, consumer outcomes and public trust.
• Strong governance, risk management and organisational leadership capability.

The Board is interested in hearing from established Ombudsmen and senior leaders. Experience may have been gained in Ombudsman schemes, regulation, dispute resolution, consumer advocacy, public administration, integrity agencies, utilities, infrastructure or other complex stakeholder environments where independence, credibility and sound judgement are critical.

Knowledge of the energy, water or broader utilities sectors would be advantageous but is not essential. Relevant tertiary qualifications are required.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an influential organisation that plays a vital role in consumer protection, industry improvement and public policy across New South Wales. The Board welcomes interest from candidates across Australia and internationally.

The position is based in Sydney.

For further information, please visit: https://watermark.qwilr.com/Ombudsman-EWON-gkEDbKbwRrWk

Closing date: Monday 5 October 2026 at 11.59pm AEDT