SurfAid Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Sydney
Reports to: SurfAid Australia Board of Directors
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary Range: ~150k
About Us
SurfAid’s core mission is to improve the health, well-being and resilience of remote communities connected to us through surfing. SurfAid is committed to a ‘hand up, not a handout’ philosophy, and our focus is on empowering and supporting local communities to enrich their own lives, and increase their choices and possibilities for realising their own potential.
Based in Australia with fundraising arms in New Zealand and the USA, and dedicated Operations in Indonesia, SurfAid strives for lasting change by raising funds and using them to implement community-led development programs that are clear in their goals, effective in their implementation and subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation.
One of the three largest surfing based charities in the world, SurfAid was founded in 2000 and is celebrating 25 years of positive, sustainable and long-lasting change in remote communities touched by surfing.
Position Summary
The SurfAid CEO is the chief steward of the organization and charged with delivering on SurfAid’s core mission. They are responsible for setting and driving the strategy, maximising the financial impact through fundraising, meaningfully engaging stakeholders, leading and motivating the team, ensuring financial sustainability, and overseeing all aspects of day-to-day operations. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and is accountable for the organization’s overall performance, culture, and impact.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Lead the development and execution of a clear and compelling organizational strategy.
Ensure alignment of operations and programs with the mission and goals.
Advise and collaborate with the Board on governance, strategy, and risk.
Fundraising
The best way to drive SurfAid’s impact is to increase the quantum of funds raised. Fundraising is a critical role for the CEO who serves as the primary fundraiser and the public face of the organization.
Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising program comprising:
Securing and managing institutional and government funding, including grants from DFAT, MFAT, and other bilateral or multilateral donors.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with private donors and build a network of future donors.
Support and promote SurfAid’s key campaigns such as Make a Wave, including driving participation, securing corporate sponsors and promoting donations.
Stakeholder Management
Act as the chief ambassador for the organization, nurturing strong, trust-based relationships with key stakeholders including community leaders, donors, government agencies, partner NGOs, corporate sponsors, surfing organizations and multilateral institutions.
Develop and implement strategies for proactive stakeholder mapping, engagement planning, and long-term partnership cultivation.
Collaborate closely with the Australian, NZ and USA Boards to align advocacy efforts with the company’s strategy and to leverage their networks and influence.
Team Leadership
Lead, inspire, and support a small, passionate team to deliver meaningful impact in remote communities touched by surfing.
Lead by example, acting at all times in accordance with the SurfAid’s values, behaviours, Code of Conduct and policies, and undertaking an annual personal assessment against those values and behaviours.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and purpose-driven workplace culture where staff feel valued, supported, empowered, and understand how they are making a material impact.
Promote alignment, transparency and connection between the Australian, Indonesian, US and NZ teams.
Financial Management
Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in partnership with the CFO.
Ensure the organization maintains a sustainable financial position.
Identify and mitigate financial risks.
Ensure full compliance with reporting requirements to funding and regulatory bodies including DFAT, MFAT, ATO, ASIC, ACNC and others.
Operations & Program Oversight
In partnership with the Indonesian leadership, oversee program implementation, delivery, and evaluation in Indonesia across the three pillars of access to healthcare, water and sanitation, and food security.
Support staff development and culture in the Indonesian operation.
Ensure operational efficiency, legal and governance compliance, effective systems and processes, and transparent reporting.
Board Relations
Provide timely, transparent reports and strategic counsel to the Board.
Raise any financial, governance, cultural or organizational risk in a timely and transparent manner.
Partner with the Board to cultivate a strong governance structure and effective oversight.
Fully leverage the skillset and contacts of the Australian, US and NZ boards to drive SurfAid’s performance.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Substantial leadership experience (CEO or senior executive level) within the commercial or not-for-profit sector, in Australia or overseas.
An affinity, interest or engagement with surfing and surfing communities.
Proven track record of partnership development, fundraising, campaign management and brand building.
Exceptional relationship building skills with an ability to develop and maintain transparent, deep and trusted partnerships with donors, sponsors, NGOs, board members and institutions across time zones.
Strategic planning and execution experience.
An affinity, interest or in-country experience in the Indonesian Pacific, including an awareness of the nature of development challenges facing countries in the region.
Strong financial & operational acumen, with evidence of risk management and/or compliance experience.
Demonstrated experience in managing team culture and driving high-quality performance in a mission-based organization
Personal qualities
A deep connection and commitment to SurfAid’s mission.
Ability to motivate and engage with a small staff and board members across diverse fields, cultures and perspectives.
Commercially minded leader, with an aptitude for building and managing growth for scale.
A leader with the humility to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and get things done.
Other relevant information
Travel requirements: To build relationships and raise funds in Australia, US and NZ, international and interstate travel will be required.
Out of hours work: Attendance at evening meetings and after-hours events for industry, community and government is required. As well as crisis management when required.
To apply or any enquiry you can reach out to Charlie Lanchester ([email protected]).