Purpose of the Position
The General Manager Business Sustainability ensures the organisation’s long-term financial resilience and operational excellence while driving the development of businesses and social enterprises that generate sustainable income streams.
The role balances financial growth with cultural, social, and environmental impact, embedding cultural governance across all aspects of business strategy and operations.
Responsibilities and Duties
Revenue Diversification & Fundraising
* Lead strategies to diversify revenue streams through philanthropy, grants, impact investment, and corporate partnerships.
* Develop relationships with investors, funders, and corporate partners aligned to the organisation’s mission.
* Identify and secure new opportunities for fee-for-service models, consultancy offerings, and commercial ventures.
Business & Social Enterprise Development
* Support the establishment and scaling of social enterprises and income-generating businesses that create economic opportunities and revenue diversification.
* Develop feasibility studies, business cases, and investment proposals for new commercial and social enterprise ventures.
* Ensure enterprises deliver measurable bottom line social and financial outcomes.
* Build governance and management systems for social enterprises to ensure accountability and profitability.
* Foster innovation in enterprise models, including community-owned initiatives, cooperative ventures, and joint corporate/ACCO projects.
Financial Sustainability & Growth
* Develop and deliver a comprehensive sustainability strategy that secures long-term financial resilience.
* Lead financial modelling, forecasting, and investment planning aligned with cultural and community priorities.
* Oversee organisational risk management, governance, and compliance frameworks to ensure strong foundations for growth.
Operational Excellence
* Strengthen organisational systems (finance, HR, IT, operations) to support scalability and enterprise development.
* Embed cultural values and accountability in all business operations, procurement, and investment decisions.
* Ensure sustainability initiatives are linked to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments.
Community & Cultural Accountability
* Ensure all business and enterprise initiatives are co-designed with, and accountable to, community.
* Embed cultural governance and Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles in all reporting, evaluation, and business intelligence.
* Deliver training and workforce development pathways to build Aboriginal leadership in social enterprise and business operations.
* Sustainable income streams established through viable social enterprises and business ventures.
* Financial resilience achieved through diversified revenue sources and impact investment.
* ESG and cultural governance frameworks integrated into all business practices.
* Aboriginal workforce and community benefit embedded in enterprise design and delivery.
* Organisation positioned as a sector leader in Aboriginal-led business and social enterprise innovation.
Selection Criteria
Essential
* Proven executive-level experience in business development, financial strategy, or enterprise leadership, ideally within Indigenous, not-for-profit, or social impact sectors.
* Demonstrated success in developing and scaling social enterprises or commercial ventures that deliver both financial and social outcomes.
* Strong track record in securing diversified revenue streams, including philanthropy, grants, impact investment, and corporate partnerships.
* Demonstrated ability to embed cultural governance, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, and community accountability into business strategy and operations.
* Experience leading cross-functional teams and strengthening operational systems (finance, HR, IT, procurement) to support organisational growth.
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships with Aboriginal communities, investors, government, and corporate partners.
Desirable
* Experience working in or with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
* Knowledge of cooperative, community-owned, or joint venture business models.
* Experience in workforce development and leadership training, particularly for Aboriginal staff and communities.
* Tertiary qualifications in Business, Finance, Economics, Social Enterprise, Public Administration, or a related field are desirable.
* Formal training or demonstrated knowledge in Indigenous governance, cultural competency, or community development.
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