Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Contract Type:
Location: Canberra
Industry: CEO & General Management
Contact Name: Rob Macmillan
Contact Email: rmacmillan@derwentsearch.com.au
Contact Phone: 0421 593 535
Date Published: 21-Oct-2026
ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS)
Chief Executive Officer
Based Canberra, ACT
Established in 1963, ACTCOSS is the peak body for the community sector in the ACT, and a leading voice for people experiencing poverty, disadvantage and inequality. As a member of the national COSS network, we advocate for positive social change and social justice. Our key policy areas include cost of living and alleviating poverty, housing and homelessness, health equity and justice reform, alongside empowering the community sector workforce and being a strong ally of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination. We are a small but influential organisation, with an annual turnover of approximately $2 million and a team of 15 staff.
Our vision is a thriving ACT, free from exclusion, hardship and poverty. Our Strategic Plan 2025–2029 positions us to deliver policy priorities through purposeful advocacy and influence, empower and unite the community sector, and build impactful partnerships and sector thought leadership. After three and a half years of leading and growing our policy influence, Dr Devin Bowles will conclude his appointment as CEO in January 2027, leaving an organisation with a strong culture, capability and sector standing.
ACTCOSS is led by an experienced Board and a committed senior leadership team. We are now seeking a new CEO to lead the organisation through its next phase. Based in Canberra and reporting to the Board through the Chair, the CEO will:
We are seeking an experienced social policy, advocacy or community sector executive with a track record leading a mission-driven membership, peak or service delivery organisation. You will demonstrate the ability to translate strategic advocacy into measurable policy and funding outcomes, ideally within the community services, human services or peak body sector. You will bring sound operational leadership experience with financial and commercial acumen appropriate to a small organisation, highly developed advocacy, media and government relations skills, and the judgement and integrity to act as an ambassador for ACTCOSS. A genuine affinity with, and the ability to build trusted, respectful relationships with Aboriginal community controlled organisations will be important. Relevant tertiary qualifications in social policy, public administration, law or a related discipline are expected, and postgraduate qualifications and AICD or equivalent governance credentials will be well regarded. Experience in an ACT Government or peak and advocacy body setting will be highly valued.
This is an opportunity to lead one of the ACT’s most influential social policy organisations and help shape a fairer society. The successful candidate will inherit a capable team, strong sector relationships and a clear strategic platform from which to deepen ACTCOSS’s advocacy, influence and impact.
Please click on the "Additional Information" button to download a copy of the Candidate Information Pack. Please contact Rob Macmillan, Partner, at healthservices@derwentsearch.com.au quoting reference number 34913 for further details about the organisation and how to apply.
To be eligible for this position, candidates must hold current working rights in Australia.
Applications close – Sunday 1st November
Additional Information
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Chief Executive Officer
Based Canberra, ACT
Established in 1963, ACTCOSS is the peak body for the community sector in the ACT, and a leading voice for people experiencing poverty, disadvantage and inequality. As a member of the national COSS network, we advocate for positive social change and social justice. Our key policy areas include cost of living and alleviating poverty, housing and homelessness, health equity and justice reform, alongside empowering the community sector workforce and being a strong ally of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination. We are a small but influential organisation, with an annual turnover of approximately $2 million and a team of 15 staff.
Our vision is a thriving ACT, free from exclusion, hardship and poverty. Our Strategic Plan 2025–2029 positions us to deliver policy priorities through purposeful advocacy and influence, empower and unite the community sector, and build impactful partnerships and sector thought leadership. After three and a half years of leading and growing our policy influence, Dr Devin Bowles will conclude his appointment as CEO in January 2027, leaving an organisation with a strong culture, capability and sector standing.
ACTCOSS is led by an experienced Board and a committed senior leadership team. We are now seeking a new CEO to lead the organisation through its next phase. Based in Canberra and reporting to the Board through the Chair, the CEO will:
- Provide strategic and organisational leadership to deliver the Strategic Plan 2025–2029, with a focus on advocacy impact and financial sustainability.
- Lead the sector’s advocacy and policy agenda, translating strategic advocacy into measurable policy and funding outcomes ahead of the ACT election in October 2028.
- Strengthen collective advocacy across the sector and lead government and political stakeholder engagement across the ACT.
- Act as the ambassador and official spokesperson for ACTCOSS across government, the community sector and the media.
- Engage and build collaborative relationships with members, the Peaks Forum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community partners, and the national COSS network.
- Maintain financial sustainability and develop revenue streams that support future organisational growth.
- Support the Board with robust governance, risk and compliance practices.
- Foster a workforce culture that embeds courage, collaboration, integrity and cultural humility.
We are seeking an experienced social policy, advocacy or community sector executive with a track record leading a mission-driven membership, peak or service delivery organisation. You will demonstrate the ability to translate strategic advocacy into measurable policy and funding outcomes, ideally within the community services, human services or peak body sector. You will bring sound operational leadership experience with financial and commercial acumen appropriate to a small organisation, highly developed advocacy, media and government relations skills, and the judgement and integrity to act as an ambassador for ACTCOSS. A genuine affinity with, and the ability to build trusted, respectful relationships with Aboriginal community controlled organisations will be important. Relevant tertiary qualifications in social policy, public administration, law or a related discipline are expected, and postgraduate qualifications and AICD or equivalent governance credentials will be well regarded. Experience in an ACT Government or peak and advocacy body setting will be highly valued.
This is an opportunity to lead one of the ACT’s most influential social policy organisations and help shape a fairer society. The successful candidate will inherit a capable team, strong sector relationships and a clear strategic platform from which to deepen ACTCOSS’s advocacy, influence and impact.
Please click on the "Additional Information" button to download a copy of the Candidate Information Pack. Please contact Rob Macmillan, Partner, at healthservices@derwentsearch.com.au quoting reference number 34913 for further details about the organisation and how to apply.
To be eligible for this position, candidates must hold current working rights in Australia.
Applications close – Sunday 1st November
