About SAALSMA
Location: Adaptable within Southern Australia, work from home
Fixed-Term (12 months, with potential for extension)
Part-time, (0.6 – 0.8 FTE)
For several decades, Aboriginal Elders and leaders across southern temperate Australia have voiced a need for a more coordinated and collaborative platform to advance Aboriginal-led environmental research, management, and economic development.
The Southern Australian Aboriginal Land and Sea Management Alliance (SAALSMA) is a newly established non-profit organisation that exists to advocate for, facilitate, and broker collaborations and knowledge exchange among southern Aboriginal communities and key stakeholders.
SAALSMA's vision is to advance southern Aboriginal environmental and economic priorities by working across five core themes:
Policy
Research and Development
Management
Education and Capacity Strengthening
Sustainable Aboriginal Economic Growth
SAALSMA connects Aboriginal organisations with strategic and applied support, helping to broker relationships, secure funding, and elevate southern Aboriginal voices and initiatives.
About the Role
The Inaugural Executive will play a pivotal leadership role in establishing and growing SAALSMA during its foundational year. Reporting to the SAALSMA Establishment Committee or incoming Board, the Executive will lead strategy, governance, relationship development and fundraising ensuring the organisation builds robust foundations to deliver on its vision.
This role requires visionary leadership, cultural integrity, and the ability to bring people, organisations, and ideas together to build an influential and respected southern Aboriginal alliance.
Key Responsibilities
1. Organisational Leadership and Development
Lead the implementation of governance, strategic and operational frameworks that build a culturally grounded, effective, and respected organisation.
2. Stakeholder Engagement, Resource Mobilisation, and Financial Management
Build and maintain strategic relationships with Aboriginal organisations, Governments, non-for profit and corporate sectors to secure funds, drive collaboration, and deliver transparent financial management.
3. Membership and Alliance Development
Work with the Establishment committee and our partners to develop an inclusive membership model that reflects the diversity of southern Aboriginal communities and provides a strong platform for capturing community priorities to support collective advocacy and coordinated action.
4. Strategic and Financial Planning and Program Development
Develop a strategic and fundraising plant across SAALSMA's five strategic themes, ensuring outcomes are community-led, culturally aligned, and impactful.
5. Governance and Reporting
Support the development of a manageable governance model that spans temperate southern Australia and ensure accountability through clear reporting, compliance, and risk management processes.
Selection Criteria
- Executive leadership experience, ideally in the Indigenous, environmental, or community development sectors.
- Minimum 4-5 years of executive leadership experience in a senior management role.
- Experience in fundraising, start-up or establishment-phase roles, and attracting new investment.
- Demonstrated success cultivating high-trust relationships across government, corporate, community, and non-profit sectors.
- Deep understanding of Aboriginal governance, cultural heritage, and community aspirations, particularly in southern Australia.
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is preferred but not required for this role.
- Expertise in strategic financial management, organisational development, and sustainable enterprise models.
- Proven ability to lead through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and operational delivery.
- Strong cultural integrity, with a demonstrated ability to embed Aboriginal values, protocols, and ways of working in leadership.
- Expertise in environmental stewardship, community development, land and sea management, and/or cultural heritage protection.
- Experience supporting economic empowerment for Aboriginal communities and driving outcomes through strategic negotiation.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, law, governance, environmental management, or a related field.
Personal Attributes
Visionary, grounded, and culturally committed.
Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Entrepreneurial and solutions-focused, with a passion for community-led change.
Resilient, adaptable, and driven by purpose.
Salary: Negotiable based on experience (12% Superannuation)
Reports to: SAALSMA Establishment Committee
Start Date: As soon as practicable
Location: You will work from home and be located in Southern Australia being Tasmania, Victoria, or southern SA or WA.
How to Apply
Please submit your application, including a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and a current CV, to (emailprotected)
Applications will be assessed as they are received and interviewed accordingly.
Applications close the 29th of September 2025.
Applications will be assessed as they are received and interviewed accordingly.
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📌 Executive Officer
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