Join to apply for the Chief Business Officer role at Illawarra Mercury
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Chief Business Officer role at Illawarra Mercury
Location: Batemans Bay (with travel to Canberra as required)
Employment Type: Full-time, 38 hours per week
Salary: Executive package, commensurate with experience
Lead. Shape. Strengthen.
We are proud to partner with SEARMS Community Housing Aboriginal Corporation, a registered National Regulatory System for Community Housing Providers (NRSCH) and Aboriginal Community Housing provider (ACHP). SEARMS has served Aboriginal communities in regional NSW and the ACT since 2003, providing housing and tenancy management services to the Aboriginal Housing Officer and other Aboriginal organisations.
SEARMS is searching for a dedicated, values-aligned Chief Business Officer (CBO) to guide and support their core corporate service functions. This is a rare opportunity for a leader who thrives on building strong teams, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and combining strategic vision with practical, hands-on expertise in corporate services, human resources, workplace health and safety, governance, and quality assurance.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the CBO will drive operational excellence across SEARMS, ensuring the team meet their legal, compliance, and operational obligations as a community housing provider and employer. You will embed culturally safe, trauma-informed practices across systems, and lead initiatives that build organisational capability for long-term sustainability.
Key Focus Areas
* Human Resources Leadership – Lead strategic HR, workforce development, performance management, and employee relations to attract and retain top talent.
* WHS Compliance – Maintain robust safety systems, ensure compliance, and foster a proactive safety culture.
* Critical Incident Management – Oversee incident planning, response, review, and reporting.
* Organisational Quality & Governance – Ensure policy frameworks, compliance registers, and governance systems are current, effective, and audit-ready.
* Leadership & Corporate Services – Lead a high-performing Corporate Services team, delivering exceptional business support.
* Business Operations – Manage grants, oversee brand and communications, and represent SEARMS at sector forums and events.
What You’ll Bring
* Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business Administration, or a related field.
* Proven experience in HR leadership, WHS compliance, and organisational development.
* Demonstrated expertise in critical incident response and risk management.
* Experience in a community-controlled, Aboriginal, or not-for-profit environment.
* Strong understanding of Aboriginal cultural safety principles in the workplace.
* Exceptional leadership, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Why Join SEARMS?
At SEARMS, the team are committed to delivering high-quality, culturally safe housing services and strengthening Aboriginal community housing capacity. As CBO, you will have the platform to make a significant impact — shaping systems, building internal capacity, and ensuring the organisation remains a leader in their field.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
* Employment type
Other
Job function
* Job function
Business Development and Sales
* Industries
Technology, Information and Media
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Illawarra Mercury by 2x
Get notified about new Chief Business Officer jobs in Coniston, New South Wales, Australia.
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr